Coastal South - Inspiring Garden Ideas for all Gardeners
Gardening in the coastal South offers a unique set of opportunities and challenges. With a distinctive climate, hardiness zones, diverse seasons, and a range of garden styles, the coastal South is a fascinating region for garden enthusiasts to explore.
Hardiness and Heat Zones
The coastal South enjoys a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. Rainfall is abundant and distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Gardeners must contend with both the occasional tropical storms and hurricanes that can bring intense wind and rain, as well as the high humidity that can foster plant diseases and pests.
The coastal South falls predominantly within USDA Hardiness Zones 9 and AHS Heat Zones 9-11. Gardeners should select plant varieties that are well-suited to the region’s climate and can withstand its unique challenges.
Garden Styles
Coastal South gardens encompass a variety of styles, from formal landscapes and traditional Southern gardens to more casual, naturalistic designs. Coastal gardens often incorporate native plants, which are well-adapted to the region’s climate and require less maintenance. Hardscaping and architectural elements, like arbors and pergolas, can also help create a sense of structure and provide respite from the sun.
