Rock Star Plants for Warm Climates

If you’re a warm climate gardener looking for hardy, Rock Star level shrubs to add to your space then look no further. We’ve rounded up all the First Editions® Rock Stars from Zones 6-9 to make your life easier.

First, what does “warm climate” mean? Warm climate zones are determined by average winter temperatures and weather conditions like drought, extreme heat, and lots of sunlight. The First Editions® collection is made up of plants that perform across climates, including a great selection of warm climate Rock Stars that are prepped and ready to solve landscaping problems for those in Zones 6-9.

Need a heat tolerant plant that can handle a full day of sun? Or a shrub that can take drought conditions like a champ? Then look no further than our warm climate Rock Stars! However, remember to keep in mind that the country is divided into regions as well as zones, which means that there are certain plants that will do extremely well in your specific area.

These Rock Stars have been trialed and tested to ensure they are the best of the best and will add interest and beauty to your space, solve problems, and withstand those warm climate conditions. Below we have all the details on these Rock Star plants, inspiration for best landscape uses, and Best Bud ideas so you can create the perfect plant pairing.

Want more? Check out our Complete Guide to Rock Star Plants for a full list that includes our Rock Star Plants for cool climates.

CINNAMON GIRL® DISTYLIUM

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Compact and durable evergreen shrub with excellent disease resistance.
  • Plum-purple new growth turns to blue-green as it matures.
  • Perfect alternative for plants that are prone to disease, such as boxwood and cherry laurel.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Plant in groups along a foundation, walkway, or on a slope for erosion control.
  • Mass planting Cinnamon Girl® is an easy way to cover a lot of ground in a beautiful manner.

BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: deer resistance, mass planting, drought tolerance

VINTAGE JADE DISTYLIUM

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Perfect alternative for plants that are prone to disease, such as boxwood and cherry laurel.
  • Lustrous, dark green, evergreen foliage is attractive all season.
  • Layered branches form a spreading mound in the landscape.

 HOW TO USE IT:

  • Plant in groups along a foundation, walkway, or on a slope for erosion control.
  • Vintage Jade is an excellent option for entryway plantings and adding to a patio bed to fill it out.

BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: deer resistance, mass planting, drought tolerance

BALI™ HIBISCUS

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • This Rock Star hibiscus boasts semi-double, pure white flowers that are highlighted with a purple-red center.
  • The intermediate size makes it good for smaller spaces.
  • The bright white blooms offer great contrast in the garden.

 HOW TO USE IT:

  • Plant Bali™ to add height to your space.
  • Use the size of this shrub to create structure throughout the landscape.
  • Add visual interest with its stunning blooms.

 BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: screens & hedging, pollinator attractor

ECLIPSE® BIGLEAF HYDRANGEA

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • A groundbreaking hydrangea that features deep purple foliage that remains dark all summer long.
  • The striking foliage contrasts beautifully with the cranberry-colored blooms.
  • At 3-5’ tall and wide, Eclipse® is right at home in any landscape or outdoor space, and the colors are perfect for pairing with anything in the garden.

 HOW TO USE IT:

  • The features of Eclipse® can be showcased in an entry walkway.
  • Perfect for dark mode gardening when planted with other dark hued plants or used as a dark leaf hero. To learn more, check out our blog on gardening in dark mode.

 BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: salt tolerant, mass planting, good for containers

BERRY WHITE® PANICLE HYDRANGEA

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • The color on Berry White® starts out white in July then progresses to a jaw-dropping dark pink, beginning at the bottom and developing up to the top of the panicle.
  • The size and height make it perfect for adding privacy hedges or structure to a landscape.

 HOW TO USE IT:

  • Use it to add a privacy screen along a fence line.
  • Plant to add structure and height to a backyard landscape.

 BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: screens & hedging

LITTLE HOTTIE® PANICLE HYDRANGEA

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Covered in brilliant white blooms that emerge green and turn a sparkling white.
  • The white blooms stand up to summer sun without burning and in fall turn antique shades of white and pink.
  • A compact panicle hydrangea with strong stems to hold the blooms upright.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • As a border in garden vignettes.
  • Little Hottie® is an excellent option for mass planting and covering large areas of landscape.

 BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: mass planting

WHITE DIAMONDS® PANICLE HYDRANGEA

WHY IT ROCKS

  • White Diamonds® has a medium size that is perfect for fitting into gaps in the garden.
  • Bright, white panicles that command attention in the landscape.
  • The open white panicles eventually fade to parchment and pink.

 HOW TO USE IT:

  • Create height and interest by planting White Diamonds® in the center of your garden.
  • Border a fence line with White Diamonds® for structure.

 BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: screens & hedging

COBALT-N-GOLD™ HYPERICUM

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • A mounded habit that has fine blue-silver foliage.
  • Sunny, yellow flowers bloom in late spring and early summer. In the fall, the leaves turn yellow, orange, and red and reveal an attractive exfoliating bark.
  • Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, but is adaptable to many environments.

 HOW TO USE IT:

  • Use it to line a walkway or to border an entryway.
  • Plant it in a container for a moveable pop of beauty throughout your space.

 BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: pollinator attractor

STRAIGHT & NARROW® JAPANESE HOLLY

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Strong, columnar evergreen shrub that remains tightly upright.
  • Shiny, dark green leaves are flat and remain nice throughout the winter.
  • Branches remain upright even as it ages and faces the elements.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Upright privacy screen near patios and along borders.
  • An eye-catching accent along walkways and foundations.

 BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: deer resistance, screens & hedging

BANANAPPEAL® SMALL ANISE TREE

 WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Stunning Anise-scented, golden-yellow foliage brightens up the landscape.
  • Compact, deer-resistant, disease-resistant, well-behaved shrub that thrives in shade gardens.
  • An improved native variety with disease resistant foliage.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • A great shrub for use in the landscape or decorative pots
  • Group plantings on its own or mixed with other shrubs

BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: deer resistance

LUNAR MAGIC® CRAPEMYRTLE

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Rich, purple-black foliage is accented by white flowers on red stems.
  • Flowers begin in June and will rebloom through fall if deadheaded.
  • A disease resistant shrub with a beautiful, upright oval shape.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Thanks to its size and shape, Lunar Magic® is a great option for adding height to a space.
  • The striking colors of both the blooms and foliage make it an excellent focal point.

 BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: deer resistance, screens & hedging, drought tolerance, pollinator attractor

PURPLE MAGIC CRAPEMYRTLE

 WHY IT ROCKS:

  • A blooming and reblooming machine with dark purple flowers from top to bottom.
  • Disease resistant foliage remains clean all season.
  • Retains a dense, round habit in the landscape.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Use along border fences lines to add privacy to your space.
  • Create height in your garden by adding to your flower beds.

BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: deer resistance, screens & hedging, drought tolerance, pollinator attractor

CRIMSON FIRE™ FRINGE FLOWER

 WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Bright pink flowers in spring are highlighted by the dark foliage.
  • First compact red-leaf fringe flower with proven cold tolerance while also being hardy to Zone 9.
  • Well-behaved evergreen shrub that cuts down on the need for pruning.

 HOW TO USE IT:

  • Use as a backdrop for annual beds.
  • Add structure to outdoor living spaces, walkways and foundation beds.

 BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: deer resistance, pollinator attractor

CENTENNIAL BLUSH STAR MAGNOLIA

WHY IT ROCKS

  • Delicate, star shaped pink flowers cover the entire plant in spring.
  • Green leaves eventually turn yellow and bronze in autumn.
  • Perfect for small urban gardens as it’s well adapted to most soil types.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • A burst of fragrant, large, pink blooms that provide beautiful contrast to evergreens.
  • The perfect spring color and summer shade focal point plant to add to your front yard.

BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: pollinator attractor

FLIP SIDE® CHASTETREE

 WHY IT ROCKS:

  • 8-inch, fragrant, deep purple flowers will rebloom throughout the season.
  • The flowers are also magnets for pollinators.
  • Unique greyish leaves that are dusky purple on the lower surface.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Plant where the purple bottom of the leaf can be visible while flickering in the wind.
  • Outline this plant with smaller shrubs to highlight its height.

BEST BUDS:

ROCK STAR FEATURES: deer resistance, drought tolerance, pollinator attractor

Landscape Design Inspiration

Need some help getting started to use these Rock Stars together in the landscape? No worries! We’ve outlined a few of our favorite landscape design tips below that you can reference when designing your dream garden.

Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea + Vanilla Brandy™ Abelia + Northern Exposure™ Black Coral Bells + Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass

This entry way is a stunning example of how the vibrant foliage and blooms on Eclipse® can tie together even the simplest of designs. We love this design for its symmetry, use of color, and mixture in height and texture.

Little Hottie® Panicle Hydrangea + Sunset Magic® Crapemyrtle + Easy Elegance® Kashmir Rose + Endless Summer® Pop Star® Reblooming Hydrangea

This is a beautiful example of how adding taller plants to a space can be a great way to tie the vignette together, while adding structure along as fence line. The mix of red, white, and blue colors in this design complement each other well and the dark foliage of Sunset Magic® pops out to catch the eye as a focal point.

Crimson Fire® Fringe Flower + Little Hottie® Panicle Hydrangea + Vanilla Brandy™ Abelia + Sweet Tea™ Gardenia

This design showcases how you can mix and match shrubs and still create a beautiful and cohesive landscape design. The darker colors of Crimson Fire® offset the bright blooms of Little Hottie® and Sweet Tea™ Gardenia, and Vanilla Brandy™ ties it all together to line this entryway.

You can shop each of these Rock Stars online during our shipping season or use our Find a Retailer tool to locate First Editions ® plants at garden centers near you. Sign up for our monthly newsletter and remember to follow us on social for even more tips, tricks, and inspiration.