Finding plants that go well with the Mississippi weather, and flowers in particular, can seem a bit tricky, but there is actually plenty of Mississippi-friendly flowers!
So, what flowers grow well in Mississippi?
Despite the severe weather conditions in Mississippi, there’s a long list of beautiful flowers you can grow there. Some of these hardy flowers are Wave Petunias, Tulips, Black-eyed Susan, Dahlias, and many more!
In this article, I’ll discuss the best flowers you can grow in Mississippi that won’t cost you a lot of time and money to thrive!
Best Mississippi-Friendly Flowers
Mississippi state lies in the subtropical climate region where weather conditions are far from average!
If you’re a Mississippi resident, you know that other than the moderate winters, you get humidity, long hot summers, as well as rain throughout the year.
However, there are many types of flowers that can thrive and give you prolific blooming on those sunny Mississippi days!
Here are 10 of the best flowers you can grow in Mississippi that won’t need any extra effort to grow and care for:
1. Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan, or Rudbeckia hirta, is one of the most popular choices for gardeners in Mississippi.
These bright golden-yellow flowers are perfect for the harsh Mississippi weather since they can grow well in hot dry areas with many types of soil.
In times of drought, a Black-eyed Susan may not have as many blooms as it normally would, but don’t worry if that happens.
Other blooms can still thrive just fine in these conditions. Also, if you continue to provide enough water during dry weather, more flowers will start to grow.
This plant will usually start to bloom between June and September, and the stems can grow to 2 – 3 ft tall.
Black-eyed Susans are hardy in USDA zones 3 – 7.
2. Wave Petunias
This is also a great choice for Mississippi since it’s easy to grow, durable, and affordable.
Wave petunias naturally spread all over the area they’re planted in and have a lot of blooms, which make them a perfect fit for flower beds and hanging pots.
This plant can come in a variety of vibrant colors such as pink, purple, red, and more! It also grows best in the sun, so it can survive hot Mississippi summers, but planting it in a light shade won’t be a problem.
Wave petunias start to bloom from late April to early November, and they can spread to about 3 – 4 ft wide.
Wave Petunias are hardy in USDA zones 9 and 10.
3. Snowflake Oakleaf Hydrangea
Another flower that thrives in hot sunny summer with some of the afternoon shade. Hydrangeas have been very common flowers in the southern areas for almost 300 years!
Snowflake Oakleaf Hydrangea has clusters of white flowers that gradually turn pink as it begins to age.
Its snowflake-shaped flowers usually start to bloom by midsummer, and the stems can grow to 6 – 10 ft tall.
Snowflake Oakleaf Hydrangeas are hardy in USDA zones 5 – 9.
4. Dahlia
Dahlias come in a big variety of shapes and colors, and some are even bicolored with foliage that is nearly black! And whatever one you go for, you’ll surely get some beautiful addition to your garden.
They grow best in sunny areas around mid-June and don’t need soaking wet soil, so make sure you put them in well-drained soil.
You can grow your dahlias using tubers or containers, either way, just make sure they’re watered regularly.
Dahlias often start to bloom midsummer and continue all through fall, and they can grow up to 6 ft tall.
Dahlias are hardy in USDA zones 8 – 11.
5. Frostproof Gardenia
Gardenias in general can grow well when planted in warm and humid areas, but frostproof gardenia specifically can tolerate direct sun exposure more than other types.
Not only do frostproof gardenias have beautiful white flowers with dark green foliage, but you also get to enjoy their intense and sweet fragrance.
These showy flowers start to bloom in the summer, but you’ll need to make sure you water them regularly, especially on hotter days.
Frostproof gardenias are easy to grow and they can get up to 5 ft tall and 4 ft wide. They can also tolerate acidic soils.
Frostproof Gardenias are hardy in USDA zones 7- 11.
6. Tulips
Tulips are a favorite flower for a lot of us for their unique goblet shape and variety of colors. They can come in white, orange, red, pink, purple, black, and more!
Tulips start to bloom in early spring, but they have more than the pretty looks. Unlike many other flowers, they can adapt well to almost any soil you plant them in, and thrive as well!
You can plant them in flower beds or containers, as long as you give them enough sun. Also, their stems can grow to 2 ft tall, so make sure you protect them during windy days so the stems won’t break.
Tulips are hardy in USDA zones 3 – 7.
7. Knock Out Rose
Knock Out Rose is another pretty, fragrant, and hardy flower that has a good reputation for not needing anything complicated when you’re growing them.
This one has vibrant cherry-red flowers that start to bloom in the spring and all the way to fall.
Knock Out Roses can grow up to 5 ft tall but they need good air circulation to thrive. So, you should plant them in a sunny spot and avoid overcrowding them.
Knock Out Roses are hardy in USDA zones 5 – 11.
8. Milkweed
There are several types of Milkweed that go well with a Mississippi garden such as cinderella, showy, and redbutterflies milkweeds.
What’s common for all milkweed types is their exceptionally unique star-shaped flowers.
They come in various shades of red, orange, and violet, with a fragrance that smells a lot like vanilla!
Milkweeds are easy to grow and care for, and they can tolerate direct sunlight and various soil conditions.
Their time of blooming can vary depending on what type of milkweed you’re growing.
For example, a Cinderella Milkweed can start to bloom mid to late summer while Showy Milkweeds bloom around late spring. They can also grow up to 3 – 4 ft tall and 2 ft wide.
Milkweeds are hardy in USDA zones 4 – 9.
9. Trumpet creeper
Trumpet creepers, also known as trumpet vines or Campsis radicans, are another easy flower to grow with a flower that’s shaped like a trumpet.
These flowers have several beautiful shades of bright red, orange, and yellow. Because of their invasive spreading nature, they can be used for fences, walls, and as ground covers.
They bloom through spring and summer, and they can grow to 25 – 40 ft tall and 5 – 10 ft wide.
Trumpet creepers are hardy in USDA zones 4 – 9.
10. Firewheel
Firewheels have eye-catching orange blooms with yellow tips, and they’re commonly known as Indian blankets.
These flowers have a dense mat of succulent foliage, which is why they can tolerate the hot sun and drought.
They grow best in full sun, and once they’re established, you’ll only need to water them occasionally. However, you might need to increase the amount of irrigation during extreme heat or if you’re growing them in containers.
The Indian blankets usually have a long bloom season from spring to fall, and they grow a mat of 4 in tall and 24 in wide.
Firewheels are hardy in USDA zones 4 – 10.
Conclusion: What Flowers Grow Well in Mississippi
Adding flowers to your garden is always a fun job to do, but severe weather conditions can make it somewhat challenging.
That’s why the best advice you need before choosing your flowers is to look for flowers that are native to your area and can adapt well to your garden’s lighting and soil conditions.
Now with these recommendations for the best Mississippi-friendly flowers, you know all about what flowers grow well in Mississippi, what to expect, and how to take good care of them.
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