Species library

Starter catalog for warm and mild climates — expand over time. Pair with What can I grow?.

58 shown

California poppyflower
Eschscholzia californica
Zones 6a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 8" · ~60 days
Drought-tolerant; direct sow.
Cosmosflower
Cosmos bipinnatus
Zones 2a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 12" · ~60 days
Self-sows; deadhead for longer bloom.
Lavender (English)flower
Lavandula angustifolia
Zones 5a–10a · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 24" · ~730 days
Sharp drainage essential; avoid summer humidity in deep South.
Marigold (French)flower
Tagetes patula
Zones 2a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 8" · ~50 days
Companion edging; some nematode suppression claims.
Nasturtiumflower
Tropaeolum majus
Zones 2a–13b · Sun 4–12h · Spacing 10" · ~55 days
Edible flowers; poor soil yields more blooms.
Sunflower (dwarf)flower
Helianthus annuus
Zones 2a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 12" · ~60 days
Birds love seed heads—plan placement.
Zinniaflower
Zinnia elegans
Zones 3a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 10" · ~60 days
Powdery mildew—space for airflow.
Blueberry (highbush)fruit
Vaccinium corymbosum
Zones 4a–10b · Sun 6–12h · Spacing 60" · ~1095 days
Acidic soil pH ~4.5–5.5; mulch shallow roots.
Citrus (dwarf lemon)fruit
Citrus limon
Zones 9a–13b · Sun 8–14h · Spacing 96" · ~1095 days
Container for mobility in frost pockets; feed lightly.
Dwarf peachfruit
Prunus persica
Zones 5b–10a · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 180" · ~1095 days
Chill hours vary by cultivar—match to your winters.
Fig (Brown Turkey)fruit
Ficus carica
Zones 7b–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 120" · ~730 days
Train to single trunk in small spaces; protect young wood in marginal cold.
Strawberry (everbearing)fruit
Fragaria × ananassa
Zones 5a–11b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 14" · ~365 days
Containers work well; consistent moisture.
Strawberry (June-bearing)fruit
Fragaria × ananassa
Zones 4a–10b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 18" · ~365 days
Renovate beds after harvest; mulch crowns.
Basil (Genovese)herb
Ocimum basilicum
Zones 10a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 10" · ~40 days
Pinch flowers to prolong leaf harvest.
Chivesherb
Allium schoenoprasum
Zones 3a–11b · Sun 4–12h · Spacing 8" · ~60 days
Clumps expand; divide every few years.
Cilantroherb
Coriandrum sativum
Zones 8a–11b · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 6" · ~45 days
Succession sow; bolts fast in heat—shade helps.
Curly parsleyherb
Petroselinum crispum
Zones 6a–11b · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 8" · ~75 days
Slower than flat-leaf; ornamental edging.
Dillherb
Anethum graveolens
Zones 3a–11b · Sun 6–12h · Spacing 12" · ~45 days
Direct-sow; taproot dislikes transplant.
Garlic chivesherb
Allium tuberosum
Zones 4a–12b · Sun 4–12h · Spacing 8" · ~90 days
White flowers attract pollinators; self-sows.
Greek oreganoherb
Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum
Zones 5a–11b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 12" · ~90 days
More compact; stronger flavor than generic oregano.
Italian parsleyherb
Petroselinum crispum
Zones 6a–11b · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 10" · ~75 days
Biennial grown as annual; deep taproot likes depth.
Mintherb
Mentha spp.
Zones 4a–12b · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 18" · ~60 days
Contain roots—only plant where it can spread.
Oreganoherb
Origanum vulgare
Zones 5a–11b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 12" · ~90 days
Dry down between waterings once established.
Rosemaryherb
Salvia rosmarinus
Zones 8a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 36" · ~365 days
Needs drainage; arp/cold-hardy types still prefer dry feet.
Sageherb
Salvia officinalis
Zones 5a–11b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 24" · ~75 days
Prune lightly; avoid wet crown in humid summers.
Thai basilherb
Ocimum basilicum
Zones 10a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 10" · ~45 days
Anise notes; great for stir-fry.
Thyme (common)herb
Thymus vulgaris
Zones 5a–11b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 12" · ~90 days
Excellent between stepping stones in sun.
Lawn seed (Bermuda)lawn
Cynodon dactylon
Zones 7a–13b · Sun 8–14h · Spacing — · ~90 days
Warm-season; full sun; invasive in beds—edge carefully.
Lawn seed (tall fescue blend)lawn
Festuca arundinacea
Zones 4a–9b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing — · ~90 days
Overseed cool-season lawns in early fall; starter fert after germination.
Boxwood (American)shrub
Buxus sempervirens
Zones 5b–9b · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 36" · ~730 days
Watch for boxwood blight in humid regions.
Hydrangea (bigleaf)shrub
Hydrangea macrophylla
Zones 6a–10b · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 48" · ~730 days
Morning sun, afternoon shade in hot climates.
Rosemary (upright)shrub
Salvia rosmarinus
Zones 8a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 48" · ~730 days
Can become small shrub; prune after bloom.
Apple (dwarf rootstock)tree
Malus domestica
Zones 4a–9a · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 120" · ~1825 days
Chill hours required—poor match for coastal 10+ unless low-chill types.
Avocado (Mexican race)tree
Persea americana
Zones 9b–13b · Sun 6–12h · Spacing 240" · ~1825 days
Drainage critical; choose cold-tolerant cultivars in 9b.
Citrus (standard orange)tree
Citrus sinensis
Zones 9b–13b · Sun 8–14h · Spacing 180" · ~1825 days
Deep water infrequently once established.
Japanese mapletree
Acer palmatum
Zones 5b–10a · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 120" · ~3650 days
Protect from hot afternoon sun in low deserts.
Stone fruit (plum)tree
Prunus domestica
Zones 4b–10a · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 180" · ~1825 days
Pollinator partner often needed; check chill hours.
Armenian cucumbervegetable
Cucumis melo var. flexuosus
Zones 8b–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 18" · ~60 days
Heat-tolerant; long fruits need support.
Bell peppervegetable
Capsicum annuum
Zones 9a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 18" · ~75 days
Avoid cold soil at transplant; warm roots for fruit set.
Cherry tomatovegetable
Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
Zones 10a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 24" · ~65 days
Indeterminate; stake or cage early.
Cucumbervegetable
Cucumis sativus
Zones 8b–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 12" · ~55 days
Trellis slicers for airflow; watch downy mildew.
Early Girl tomatovegetable
Solanum lycopersicum
Zones 9b–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 30" · ~60 days
Popular short-season slicer in mild climates.
Eggplantvegetable
Solanum melongena
Zones 9b–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 24" · ~85 days
Heat-loving; protect from cold nights at transplant.
Green beans (bush)vegetable
Phaseolus vulgaris
Zones 8b–12b · Sun 6–12h · Spacing 6" · ~55 days
Succession plant; avoid wet foliage at night.
Green beans (pole)vegetable
Phaseolus vulgaris
Zones 8b–12b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 8" · ~65 days
Provide sturdy trellis before vines run.
Jalapeñovegetable
Capsicum annuum
Zones 9a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 14" · ~75 days
Fruit load benefits from steady potassium.
Kalevegetable
Brassica oleracea
Zones 6a–11b · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 18" · ~55 days
Sweetens after light frost; watch cabbage white caterpillars.
Lettuce (leaf)vegetable
Lactuca sativa
Zones 6a–11b · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 8" · ~45 days
Shade cloth helps in hot springs; bolt-resistant varieties.
Lettuce (romaine)vegetable
Lactuca sativa
Zones 6a–11b · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 10" · ~70 days
Blanch hearts for milder flavor if desired.
Roma tomatovegetable
Solanum lycopersicum
Zones 10a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 24" · ~78 days
Paste types; consistent water reduces blossom end rot.
Serrano peppervegetable
Capsicum annuum
Zones 9a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 14" · ~80 days
Compact; good for containers with full sun.
Slicing tomatovegetable
Solanum lycopersicum
Zones 10a–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 30" · ~75 days
Prune suckers on indeterminates if airflow is tight.
Snow peavegetable
Pisum sativum
Zones 6b–10b · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 3" · ~58 days
Pick flat pods often for tenderness.
Spinachvegetable
Spinacia oleracea
Zones 6a–10b · Sun 4–8h · Spacing 6" · ~40 days
Bolts quickly in long days; sow in cool windows.
Sugar snap peavegetable
Pisum sativum
Zones 6b–10b · Sun 4–10h · Spacing 3" · ~60 days
Cool soil; fades fast in deep summer heat.
Summer squashvegetable
Cucurbita pepo
Zones 8b–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 36" · ~50 days
Succession sow every 2–3 weeks in long seasons.
Swiss chardvegetable
Beta vulgaris
Zones 6a–12b · Sun 4–12h · Spacing 12" · ~50 days
Cut-and-come-again; tolerates part shade.
Zucchinivegetable
Cucurbita pepo
Zones 8b–13b · Sun 6–14h · Spacing 36" · ~50 days
Harvest small fruits often to keep production.

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