Plants in the suburban landscape are subject to a number of different stressors. From pests to diseases and even periodically challenging climate conditions, you want to feel confident that your landscape is going to survive.

For that reason, many homeowners are interested in the toughest landscape plants for our region.

That includes climate-resilient plants which are best-suited to Northern Virginia’s specific conditions. Of course, you may know that Northern Virginia was recently recategorized from Zone 7B to Zone 8A in the latest USDA climate map update.

The USDA divides the United States into “hardiness zones” that help people determine what plants are going to perform best in what regions. The recent change, with the restructuring of the USDA map, does slightly change what might be the best plants for all seasons in our region.

It’s a slight change, but it’s still worth paying attention to.

To help you know what Zone 8 plants might work best for your landscape, we’ve rounded up a list of the toughest landscape plants for our region. Often, these are Virginia native plants that are already adapted to the conditions.

Our list includes:

• Hosta
• Liriope
• Ornamental grasses
• Daylilies
• Echinacea (coneflower)
• Nepeta
• Holly
• Aucuba
• Camellia

Let’s talk about each of these and how they might best fit into your landscape design in Northern VA.

1. Hosta

Hosta plants are very hardy and can survive even in temperatures as low as 40 below zero.

They are shade-tolerant and require minimal maintenance. These big-leafed plants also come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit your specific landscape.

2. Liriope (Lilyturf)

This can be a great groundcover choice if you have a sizable plant bed to fill in.

Liriope is a flowering grass and can be highly tolerant of hot and dry conditions. The flowers are white and purple and this plant has ribbon-like leaves.

3. Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses also make great climate-resilient plants as many varieties tend to be hardy and tolerant of a variety of conditions.

Sedges (pictured) create great buffer plantings. Pink Muhly Grass is one of our favorites as it adds a nice pop of pink to the landscape. It also happens to be a Virginia native plant. But there are plenty of varieties of ornamental grasses that can work well in your landscape.

4. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)

These perennials are an adaptable plant that will perform well with minimal maintenance.

They tend to go unbothered by disease and pests and can also stand up to changing climate conditions. It is drought-resistant and can perform well in many soil types. Color variations of the daylily includes yellow, gold, orange, red, and purple.

5. Echinacea (Coneflower)

Coneflower is an attractant for Gold Finches and is long-blooming.

It also requires minimal care and is drought-tolerant. It makes a nice climate-resilient plant as it also happens to be relatively cold-tolerant. It grows best in zones 3 to 8.

6. Nepeta (Catmint)

Catmint is another drought-tolerant choice that makes a nice climate-resilient plant for your Northern Virginia landscape.

It can grow well in different soil types, even dry clay soil. It has long-lasting purple blooms.

7. Holly

Many varieties of Holly make great Zone 8 plants.

Hollies tend to be slow-growing, making them a hands-off shrub. They can tolerate a lot of different weather conditions as well.

8. Aucuba

This broadleaf evergreen shrub that will perform well with minimal attention.

Aucuba generally remains disease- and pest-free. Due to its slower growth rate, it also does not require as much pruning as other shrub varieties.

9. Camellia

The Camellia is easy to grow and a good climate-resilient plant for your landscape.

There are different varieties and you can choose what will work aesthetically best for your property.

Using the Toughest Landscape Plants in an Attractive Landscape Design

One of the most important points that we want to make is that a landscape can be comprised of hardy plants while still being beautiful and aesthetically appealing. There’s a misconception that using climate-resilient plants means sacrificing looks, but this simply isn’t the case.

The key is working with a professional to create your landscape design in Northern VA. The way in which these plants are incorporated (including the layout) can make a huge difference in adding value and appeal to your property.

We also want to mention that while these are some of our favorite climate-resilient plants, they won’t work for every property.

You still need to make sure that a plant’s needs are met in terms of access to sunlight, watering, and the location. There can be a lot involved in figuring this all out. We often think of it like a “puzzle.” There are quite a few considerations that come into play as you consider the way in which everything fits together.

We know that plant installation can get complicated, particularly if you’re committed to doing it right. For that reason, it’s a service that is best left to professionals if you want to have the most success.

Choosing Landscape Design in Northern VA

At the end of the day, getting the most out of your landscape boils down to working with the right landscape design professional.

At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we know that proper plant selection and installation are incredibly important when it comes to your ultimate happiness with your landscape. We know that when you purchase plant material you expect it to last many years. In addition to paying attention to proper planting zones, we’re also looking at both native and non-native options that might work best for your specific home.

When the best decisions are made, it adds up to getting maximum value and appeal for your investment.

We not only handle plant installations but also their ongoing maintenance. In addition to offering valuable advice, we can also offer our clients Plant Health Care programs, Pruning Plans and Mulching Plans, which will set them up for success.

You’ll have a landscape that can withstand challenging climate conditions while still looking its best.

If you’d like to discuss a landscape installation, plant health care, pruning, or mulching for your landscape, request a quote, get your customized plan and relax knowing that your plants are in good hands.

Image Sources: Hosta, Liriope, Daylilly, Nepeta, Japanese Aucuba, Camellia