There are many plants that grow up north that simply die when planted in Florida. Some others may survive, yet need a required chilling period to blossom. Peonies, bearded iris, daffodils, tulips, hostas, pachysandra and other plants just won’t grow here the way they do up north if at all. Here is a table of plants that northern gardeners should try as alternatives to their beloved northern plants instead. Discover new and different gorgeous plants that love our hot, rainy summers, moderate winters, and subtropical climate.
| Northern Plant | Zone 9 Substitute Plant |
| bearded iris | african iris, agapanthus, canna lily, crinum lily |
| peony | crape myrtle, camellia, roses |
| lilac | chaste tree (vitex) |
| tulips | amaryllis |
| hostas | sun hosta (do not plant in the sun), caladium, coleus or various gingers |
| snowball hydrangea | snowball viburnum |
| panicle hydrangea | oakleaf hydrangea |
| daffodils | bulbine |
| hyacinth | sage |
| tiger lily | canna lily, bulbine, agapanthus, crinum lily |
| lavender | sage, mona lavender |
| geranium | pentas |
| forsythia | forsythia sage (salvia madrensis), thryallis, senna |
| evergreen ball arborvitae or boxwood | dwarf yaupon holly, dwarf abelia, dwarf indian hawthorn, dwarf viburnum |
| veronica | sage |
| spirea | pentas |
