Baton Rouge is in USDA Hardiness Zones 8b and 9a<\/a>, so we looked for plants that could survive the summer heat as well as some winter frost.<\/p> The category of Louisiana iris<\/a> includes five species: iris brevicaulis, iris fulva, iris giganticaerulea, iris hexagona, <\/em>and iris nelsonii<\/em>. The flowers are most commonly dark purple with long petals sat atop a light green stalk. <\/p> They used to grow in impressive stands across the state, but herbicides, development, and saltwater intrusion have led to their dwindling. Louisiana irises grow naturally in swamps and bogs, making them a perfect addition to aquatic features in your garden. <\/p> Because the rhizomes of irises lie so close to the soil surface, placing a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around them is essential. The protective layer prevents a condition called \u201csunscald\u201d that damages the flowers. During dry periods, water twice weekly. You can\u2019t overwater a Louisiana iris, but it doesn\u2019t need to be constantly soggy to thrive. <\/p> Sometimes called Adam\u2019s needle or weak-leaf yucca, this stemless evergreen shrub looks like a bouquet of swordlike leaves. In summer, large columns of white, bell-shaped flowers emerge from the center of the plant. Native in the Southeast, Gulf Coast yucca is most common in Louisiana. <\/p> Yucca plants tolerate a variety of soil types, but don\u2019t let them sit in water. Be careful when caring for your Gulf Coast yucca. Wear gloves and full-coverage clothing to protect yourself from cuts. If you notice mites, apply neem oil. <\/p> This list wouldn\u2019t be complete without the official state tree of Louisiana.<\/a> This pyramidal conifer (meaning it produces cones) can be spotted with its roots planted deep in a marsh and Spanish moss hanging over its branches. Sporting a fluted trunk and feathery, yellowish-green foliage, this tree will turn a lovely shade of orange and cinnamon in the fall. <\/p> The bald cypress is one of the longest living trees in the world \u2014 they regularly live at least 600 years. It\u2019s easily grown in average soil, but its preference is moist, sandy, and slightly acidic soils. Chlorosis can occur in soil that\u2019s too alkaline. Because it\u2019s flood-tolerant, feel free to plant it at the bottom of a slope where rainwater might collect. <\/p> Native to the southeastern United States, this climbing, woody vine makes a beautiful addition to a trellis in a native garden. Also known as trumpet flower, crossvine<\/a> blossoms have an attractive yellow interior and deep orange-red exterior. The ruby-throated hummingbird is a big fan of crossvine.<\/p> Crossvine tolerates a range of soils, but it prefers soil with organic matter. If you have poor soil, amend it with nutrient-rich compost.<\/a> It flowers best when it gets six hours of direct sunlight. You won\u2019t have to worry about pests, but the vine itself can become a nuisance if it spreads too much. Pull up any root suckers to keep it in its designated area. <\/p> Black-eyed Susans<\/a> are a classic native wildflower. Their large yellow flowers with dark centers are like little bursts of sunshine in your landscape. This is a superb low-maintenance option for a beginner gardener, especially if you\u2019re hoping to attract butterflies. <\/p> You won\u2019t have to wait long after planting black-eyed Susans to enjoy their blooms. You can start seeing flowers the first year after planting. It\u2019s a great border plant that can tolerate heat and drought. <\/p> Hibiscus<\/a> may remind you of Hawai\u2019i, but it\u2019s native to Louisiana, too. This shrubby perennial produces large, showy flowers that range from creamy-white to deep pink. The delicate, open petals add a big pop of color to your backyard. <\/p> Hibiscus can tolerate average soil as long as it doesn\u2019t dry out. It can reach up to 10 feet, but you can prune it back in the spring if you want something more manageable. Plant hibiscus along a garden border or somewhere in view of a window \u2013 it will welcome friends like the rose mallow bee, the ruby-throated hummingbird, and the painted lady butterfly. <\/p> Is your yard in need of a little shade but you don\u2019t have space for a huge tree? A hawthorn<\/a> tree is a great alternative. It only grows 25 to 30 feet tall and sports a dense, rounded crown of low branches perfect for sitting under. With flowers, fruit, and colorful fall foliage, it provides a full four seasons of interest. <\/p> Full sun is best for maximum flowering and fruit-bearing, but it will grow in partial shade, too. It tolerates a range of soils, including heavy clay, and will thrive in well-drained loam. Keep your ears open, because your hawthorn will attract an abundance of songbirds. <\/a><\/p> No neighborhood in the South is complete without a few azalea<\/a> bushes. These showstopper flowers come in a wide range of colors from white and pink to purple and red. Not only are they vibrant, but blooms can also last all the way from February through May. <\/p> Unlike most of the other plants on this list, azaleas prefer a bit of shade (especially in Zone 9). Excessive moisture can damage them since their root system is so close to the ground, so wait to water until the first few inches of soil feel dry. To improve soil drainage, topdress with compost and sand. <\/p> Also called blue phlox, woodland phlox, and wild sweet William, Louisiana phlox<\/a> is a perennial wildflower that\u2019s often found on forest floors. It grows in loose clusters of delicate, five-petaled flowers that are commonly a twilight blue to lavender color. The term \u201cphlox\u201d comes from the Greek word meaning \u201cflame,\u201d referring to some varieties\u2019 intense color. <\/p> Louisiana phlox needs some shade to survive. Plant it under an overhang, tree, or other shade structure to ensure its health. The biggest threat to phlox is powdery mildew, which can be controlled by cutting back stems after flowering. <\/p> You\u2019re ready to turn your garden into a pollinator paradise full of native growers \u2014 now what? Take your native plant landscape to the next level with these tips. <\/p> When you\u2019re ready to buy your plants, the Baton Rouge Audubon Society put together a list of local nurseries<\/a> that sell native plants. <\/p> If you\u2019re not sure about DIY-ing this project, don\u2019t worry: You can hire a Lawn Love pro<\/a> to take care of all the work for you. They\u2019ll handle everything from design to maintenance so you can kick back and enjoy the beauty of your new native landscape.<\/p> 1. Louisiana iris (Iris brevicaulis<\/em>)<\/h2>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_1rsz_2408625205_ed7cfaedc0_c.jpg\")
2. Gulf coast yucca (Yucca louisianensis<\/em>)<\/h2>
![\"Gulf](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_563751587.jpg\")
3. Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum<\/em>)<\/h2>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_50552478977_b327bc7e70_c.jpg\")
4. Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata<\/em>)<\/h2>
![\"crossvine](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_17169979484_79aaaab819_c.jpg\")
5. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta<\/em>)<\/h2>
![\"grouping](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_2704732633_7200e5a974_c.jpg\")
6. Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis<\/em>)<\/h2>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_1hibiscus-g900caf635_1280.jpg\")
7. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna<\/em>)<\/h2>
![\"a](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_39848819590_8d5c8159ae_c.jpg\")
8. Azalea (Rhododendron<\/em>)<\/h2>
![\"vibrant](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_16579887944_819e5b73e0_c.jpg\")
9. Louisiana phlox (Phlox divaricata<\/em>)<\/h2>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_225848082144_27c648ce5b_c.jpg\")
Tips for native gardening<\/h2>