If you’ve ever planted something in spring only to watch it struggle by summer… this video is for you.
Today I’m sharing the exact plants I would plant RIGHT NOW in my Zone 8A garden to make sure it thrives through the heat, humidity, and long summer days. These are tried-and-true annuals, perennials, and shrubs that don’t just survive—they perform all season long.
From drought-tolerant annuals and pollinator favorites to heat-loving perennials and reliable shrubs, this is your go-to guide for building a garden that keeps going strong well into fall.
🌿 In this video, you’ll learn:
The best heat-tolerant annuals for sun & shade
Perennials that bloom all season long
Pollinator-friendly plants that thrive in summer
What to plant now for long-term success
How to create a garden that doesn’t “peter out” in July
✨ Whether you’re gardening in North Carolina or anywhere with hot, humid summers, these plant choices will help your garden grow, bloom & thrive.
🌸 Shop plants & learn more:
https://gardeningwithcreekside.com
0:00 – Intro: Plants That Won’t Fade in Summer Heat
1:05 – Annual Workhorses for Full Sun (Low Water, Big Impact)
3:20 – Thriller, Filler, Spiller Combos That Last All Season
5:10 – Shade Annuals That Thrive in Southern Humidity
7:00 – Drought-Tolerant Bloomers You Can’t Kill
8:45 – Perennials That Bloom All Season (Pollinator Favorites)
11:30 – Lavender, Salvia & Heat-Loving Classics
13:50 – When to Plant Heat-Loving Perennials (Timing Matters!)
16:10 – Best Shade Plants for Summer Color & Texture
19:30 – Hydrangeas, Roses & Shrubs That Beat the Heat
23:30 – Butterfly Magnets & Native Plant Picks
27:00 – Structural Plants for Long-Term Garden Impact
30:00 – Final Thoughts: Planting for a Full Season of Color
40 Comments
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Good morning sunshine! Thank you for today's video.
Good morning Jenny. Have a wonderful day planting.
Good morning, Jenny☕️ Great tour! Everything is looking so great! I love them all. Have a Blessed Day 😊🐶
Always love your videos
I’m in Charlotte and I really want to come to your nursery when I have a free weekend. I love your videos. Do you have any climbing roses?
Im MAD..at 3:50 it looks like you will FINALLY talk about the pick Guara heat loving, drought tolerant plant…..but NO you walk right around it and move on…You never highlight this amazing summer bloomer. Sad
Good morning Jenny, I absolutely love your energy and passion!!🌞😎 I'm excited to see the wonderful variety of heat and humidity tolerant flowers. I've used petunias for years but I can't get out and care for flowers anymore. I'm hopeful now that I can find something to just plant and enjoy. Thank y'all so much for the great job you do!! Have a blessed and beautiful day!🙌🙏❤️🌞😎🐦🎶🌹🪴🌺❤
Morning! I thought I killed my chameleon grass too! But it's coming back so well!
Pretty in pink today, Jenny.
Great video telling us all what to plant. The nursery is overflowing with beautiful plants and shrubs. Very exciting and inspiring. Thanks for sharing everything with us and have a super weekend with hopefully some very needed rain 👏👍🌟😁❤️🌸🌼🌺🙏
Agastache is also a favorite of goldfinches when it sets seed!
Jenny, love this video! Creekside folks, does anyone have the bloomerang dark purple in zone 8a? I put mine around pool area surrounded by pavers, full sun. She is not thriving. Anyone have a suggestion on type of sun or location?
In NE Ohio and love the dragon wings! They get huge for me and bloom abundantly!
Maybe you could help me find a nice accent plant for my flower bed. I have a low window with a Cleyra Montegue flanking each side. Below the window are two Dragon Prince shrubs. In front of all of these there's a row of Candy Corn Spirea. In the front right corner I have a Mojo Pittosporum. I'm looking to echo the color and texture of the Pittosporum in the back left corner of the bed that is in front of the corner of the house but I'm not sure what plants to look into. It needs to be 3-4' wide and 5-6' tall to fit in the space and really stand out as an accent plant. I'm in zone 8A with full sun. Do you have any suggestions?
I visited Creekside yesterday, and after watching this video, I wish I had gotten a few more things. Beautiful nursery as always. The older I get, the more I appreciate good customer service. Ya'll are hitting it out of the ballpark!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! ❤
Love the plant tour! What type of grass is behind you at 15:15? It’s big and beautiful!
How do you know when a plant is established and when to back off on watering?
Love your garden hat Jenny where can I get one?
My heliotrope froze last week! I'll replace it soon.
Good morning Jenny, all these beautiful flowers oh my.❤
Hi Jenny!
I’m in zone 9b, Tampa Florida. I want a hydrangea for a shaded area that can handle the heat/humidity. Which one can I buy for this area?
Thank you!
Good morning 🌅 Jenny and family also crew good mornings 🌄! Have lovely grand day! Hugs 🫂 and love!❤😊❤
Hi Jenny. Replay
I know I’m here for the plants, but that hat looks just beautiful on you.
Meteor Shower came back for me this year in Charleston, SC! I'm trying out the Heliotrope for the first time this year.
Thank you, Jenny. 😊
Could we get a video on Creeksides plant suggestions for a zone 8 "tropical/ exotic" style garden?
I have a ten foot row of salvia 🥰
We need a yellow sun patience please proven winners 🙏
You look cute Jenny
Athena Gold and Easy as Pie are struggling in this drought!
This time last year I’d been to the nursery 729194 times. I’m due any day now with my third, which is why I haven’t been just yet but may have to make one trip before seeing all these beautiful flowers Jenny! 🫣😍😍😍
Gorgeous! I just want allllllll the roses and hydrangeas in the world in my tiny garden. lol . I just love roses and hydrangeas. Whoever named these plants , are very smart and creative. They just make the plant that much more appealing!! I want a little lime punch hydrangea but I don’t have that much space for how big it gets . I was thinking of putting it in a container. Has anyone done that with this hydrangea? If so how did it turn out? Thanks for the tour Jenny !
this list is super helpful for surviving those brutal summer heatwaves! pairing the may night salvia with the blue fortune agastache so they bloom back-to-back is such a smart move to keep the pollinators happy all season. and that ghost fern being a hybrid of the lady fern and japanese painted fern is honestly so cool, definitly gives u the best of both worlds for a shady spot.
what heat-proof plant are u most excited to try out in your garden this year?
Oh I wish I could just teleport myself to your Creekside nursery. I just love your setup! I live in central Florida, Zone 9, Gulf side.
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There is an azalea type, I dont know what it's called but it has small shiny leaves as opposed to the bigger matte leaves of the common azalea…..do you all carry anything similar?
My At Last rose is 3 years old now, she is blooming like crazy now and is so beautiful. However every year once the heat/humidity ramps up she gets black spot, defoliates, and I rarely see another flower. Any tips for what I may be doing wrong? I’m SC zone 8a, the rose is planted in full sun and I prune her and fertilize every year around late winter.
Thanks for the video, enjoyed.