Zone 7b Ornamental Releases

Post-frost May planting lets grasses establish quickly for summer impact, adding airy movement and texture.

Stylish picks:

• Pampas Grass: Sunny...

Ideal small-space options for Zone 7b:

• Baby Doll: 10 ft evergreen Southern magnolia with summer-fall flowers
• Nigra: 8-12 ft deciduous shrub,...

Discover Sedum cauticola 'Steel the Show', a compact, low-maintenance succulent for Zone 7b gardens:

• Drought- and heat-tolerant mound (8" tall, 16"...

Zone 7b gardeners get precise spring planting timing with this guide:

• Weekly breakdowns from early March through late May
• Soil temperatures for best results
• Variety picks suited to the zone
• Pest watch alerts every week

2026 Year of the Plant Highlights

• 🔥 Azalea Shrub: The National Garden Bureau names 2026 the Year of the Azalea, a shrub hardy in USDA Zones 6...

Top versatile picks for zone 7b gardens from National Garden Bureau's 2026 highlights:

• Azalea (shrub): Colorful spring bloomer, hardy zones 6-8,...

Vibrant spring display pairs purple oxalis (Oxalis triangularis, Zones 6–10) with white-veined pipevine (Aristolochia fimbriata, Zones 7–9) for bold color and texture in zone 7b gardens.

Super-size your zone 7b garden with these easy giants that draw birds, bats, and buzz—perfect for home growers seeking wow-factor and privacy...

• Rare silver perennial with deeply toothed, fuzzy silver-gray foliage
• Thrives in hot, sunny, dry spots ideal for zone 7b gardens
• Hardy across USDA zones 3a-9b, including 7b
  Perfect new release for sunny ornamental displays

Dwarf Korean lilac brings pretty purple flowers to small-space gardens in USDA zones 3-7, perfect for compact zone 7b spots. Unique flower shape adds charm.

• Profusion series: Single-petaled in yellow, peach, pink, orange, white; mildew-resistant, blooms late spring through fall without deadheading;...

Amid rising Southern droughts, these heat/humidity-tolerant shrubs add year-round color:

• Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) shrub varieties like...

Perfect for zone 7b gardeners: Perennial in zones 7a-11b, thriving year-round even in zone 8 Georgia.

• Vibrant all-season appeal: Chartreuse...

New Cultivar Spotlights

• 🔥 Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea: Strawberry Sundae panicle hydrangea is a compact shrub producing cone-shaped blooms that...

Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Salt Point' slowly grows to 6 ft tall and wide at the nursery, ideal for full sun to partial shade with moderate to occasional water once established.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has released its predictions for global gardening trends set to emerge from the 2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show – a must-watch for zone 7b ornamental gardeners eyeing fresh influences.

Certified organic flower seeds from Renee's Garden – over 100 varieties, 227 products including pollinator favorites like Summer Sky Ageratum,...

Trade and garden planners, gear up: Proven Winners' 2027 ornamental releases feature standout picks across annuals, perennials, and shrubs.

• Top...

Key 2026 trends for updating outdoor spaces include Mediterranean-style planting, uplifting colors, and quiet luxury schemes.

• Sustainable designs:...

New Chicago Botanic Garden study finds native cultivars (nativars) often nearly as attractive to pollinators as wild types.

• Tested 4 natives:...