10 Landscaping Plants That Look Great Year-Round in Southern Alabama

Tired of your garden looking drab in the off-season? Do you dream of a landscape that’s always camera-ready, no matter the month? As a gardening enthusiast, I’m here to tell you it’s entirely possible, especially with the fantastic climate we have in Southern Alabama (USDA Zone 9a)!

The secret to a perpetually stunning garden lies in choosing plants that offer multi-season interest. We’re talking about plants with beautiful foliage, interesting bark, persistent berries, or even unexpected winter blooms. Forget the fleeting beauty of a few weeks in spring; we’re aiming for year-round WOW!

So, grab your favorite sweet tea and let’s dive into 10 of my absolute favorite landscaping plants that will keep your Southern Alabama garden looking fabulous all year long.

The Year-Round Stars of Your Southern Alabama Landscape:

1. Camellia (Camellia japonica, Camellia sasanqua)

  • Why they’re great: These are the queens of the Southern garden! Camellia sasanqua varieties typically bloom in fall and early winter, while Camellia japonica takes over in late winter and spring. Both offer gorgeous, glossy evergreen foliage all year, providing a lush backdrop even when not in bloom. Their stunning flowers are a true highlight in the cooler months.
  • Pro Tip: Plant in partial shade and well-drained, acidic soil.

2. Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica)

  • Why they’re great: A true workhorse for Zone 9a! Indian Hawthorn is an evergreen shrub with attractive, leathery leaves that often have new growth emerge with a reddish tint. They produce clusters of fragrant white or pink flowers in spring, followed by dark blue berries that persist into winter, providing food for birds.
  • Pro Tip: Look for dwarf varieties like ‘Olivia’ or ‘Eleanor’ for smaller spaces.

3. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

  • Why they’re great: The name says it all – this plant is tough as nails! Cast Iron Plant offers bold, deep green, evergreen foliage that adds a tropical, lush feel to shady spots. It tolerates deep shade, dry conditions, and even neglect, looking consistently good year-round.
  • Pro Tip: Variegated forms like ‘Okame’ or ‘Variegata’ offer even more visual interest with cream or white stripes.

4. Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

  • Why they’re great: While deciduous, Oakleaf Hydrangea earns its spot for its multi-season interest. Its unique, deeply lobed leaves resemble oak leaves and turn stunning shades of burgundy, crimson, and purple in fall. It produces large, cone-shaped white flower clusters in summer that often persist and dry on the plant, and the exfoliating bark provides winter texture.
  • Pro Tip: Choose native varieties for best results; ‘Snowflake’ or ‘Ruby Slippers’ are popular.

5. Confederate Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

  • Why they’re great: This highly fragrant vine is a Southern classic! Confederate Jasmine is a vigorous evergreen vine with glossy, dark green leaves. It produces masses of incredibly fragrant white pinwheel-like flowers in spring, filling the air with their sweet scent. It provides excellent year-round coverage on trellises, fences, or as a groundcover.
  • Pro Tip: Give it something to climb on, or let it sprawl as a dense groundcover.

6. ‘Little Gem’ Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’)

  • Why they’re great: A more compact version of the classic Southern Magnolia, ‘Little Gem’ is an evergreen tree prized for its dense, dark green leaves with fuzzy, brown undersides. It produces beautiful, fragrant white blooms sporadically from spring through fall, and its smaller size makes it perfect for residential landscapes.
  • Pro Tip: Ensure it has plenty of space to grow, as it can still reach 20-25 feet tall.

7. Liriope (Liriope muscari)

  • Why they’re great: Often called “Monkey Grass,” Liriope is an incredibly versatile and durable evergreen groundcover. It forms neat clumps of grass-like foliage, often with variegation. It produces spikes of purple or white flowers in summer, followed by small black berries that add subtle interest through fall and winter.
  • Pro Tip: Use it to define beds, line walkways, or prevent erosion on slopes.

8. Nandina (Nandina domestica)

  • Why they’re great: Also known as Heavenly Bamboo (though not a true bamboo), Nandina is an evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub that offers fantastic multi-season appeal. Its delicate, feathery foliage emerges reddish in spring, turns green in summer, and then develops brilliant red and orange hues in fall and winter, especially when exposed to sun. Many varieties produce clusters of bright red berries that persist through the colder months.
  • Pro Tip: Look for dwarf, non-fruiting varieties like ‘Harbor Belle’ or ‘Firepower’ for less spreading and reduced bird seed dispersal.

9. Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron spp. – especially reblooming varieties like Encore Azaleas)

  • Why they’re great: These are staples of Southern gardens for a reason! Many dwarf azalea varieties are evergreen in Zone 9a, providing beautiful, lush foliage year-round. Reblooming types, such as the popular Encore Azaleas, offer multiple flushes of vibrant flowers – often in spring, summer, and fall – ensuring consistent color in your landscape.
  • Pro Tip: Plant in partial shade and well-drained, acidic soil. Deadheading spent blooms can encourage more flowering.

10. Variegated Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegatum’)

  • Why they’re great: This evergreen shrub or small tree offers beautiful variegated foliage that brightens any spot. Its leathery leaves are green with creamy white margins, providing consistent visual interest year-round. It produces small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers in spring. It’s incredibly adaptable and resilient.
  • Pro Tip: It’s tolerant of coastal conditions, making it a great choice for Southern Alabama.

Ready to Create Your Year-Round Dream Garden in Zone 9a?

Choosing plants that offer consistent beauty throughout the seasons is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your Southern Alabama landscape. Not only will your garden always look its best, but you’ll also enjoy continuous beauty right outside your door!

Which of these year-round beauties will you be adding to your Southern Alabama garden first? Let me know in the comments below!

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