We have a lot of advantages being in our climate but some plants just will not cooperate. Agapanthus, I didn't know it liked to be in a pot instead of the open garden. I traded it. Amaryllis belladonna, I can grow the heck out of crinum and regular amaryllis, but not this puppy. I traded it. I used to be a dismal failure at seed starting, zinnias laughed at me in their death throes. Or their unborn throes one. I'm getting antsy about my allium. I WANT ALLIUM! The drumsticks are my most faithful.
So fess up, what thwarts your plant pleasure?

I miss growing the old fashioned lilacs. I really need to look into getting a Miss Kim which is bred for the south.

I miss my lilac tree too (from OH.) It's always the first thing to come to mind comparing north gardening vs. south gardening.

That is beautiful Tiffany and I can just smell the lovely fragrance

I tried and tried to grow Astrantia Major too but it's just too hot down here.

I tried Miss Kim...3... The foliage is luscious/ healthy. But just could not get decent bloom..no cold snap long enough I think was the issue. Deer nibbled too. We always had lilac growing up.

I can't grow geum or delphiniums...grrrr


And because of deer no aster or dahlia..to name a few....

Thanks for the heads up on Miss Kim, Rosie - I wondered if it would work.

Well..if you are in the mountains maybe...I bet they would do well in banner elk etc.

I would suggest a fragrant virburnum or a grandfathers beard. You could keep both small and get same fragrance wafting and beautiful bloom. Also if you have a spot gor its feet to be dry -- daphne

Might have to look into the viburnum. We have a grandfathers beard way down at the front of the property but it's huge BUT I think I see a baby coming up so I could dig that up and bring it back to around the house. LOVE daphnes

The GB..can be kept to a size you want too

Thank you so much for the info and ideas Rosie

I have Miss Kim in full bloom now. I love the fragrance most of the time; other times it seems a little overwhelming.

I can't grow Delphinium either. I think it is as much the humidity as it is heat that makes them out of reach. I grow about 90% from seeds and another struggle for me is Persicaria orientalis. I've tried all the prescribed methods and I am lucky to get 1 or 2 to germinate. This year that number is zero.
Hollyhock rust is a problem too. If I grow the shorter annual types I have better success, but I would love to have the towering giants I remember from childhood.

Foxglove fails for me too.

I confess i never ask why.. I just give it the three strikes and you are out test.
We are 7B but little pockets i can push the limits... The Miss Kim were facing west/ NW. It was the best I could do. They sure were healthy.

Delphinium, lupines. I'm trying larkspur this year as maybe a sub for the delphinium. We'll see. I have always shied away from peonies, been told it just won't happen here. I'm going to take a leap of faith.

I can't stop the peonies.
We have lots of hot and humid summers...but by then ( the hottest/ humid part) they are done.

I call them my rain dance blooms...if we want rain...just let the peonies bloom...POW!! They are flattened first day. Always on the ground...those beautiful blooms.

I am able to grow larkspur but not delphinium. Ditto on the peony blooms.

Rosie I think the floppiness also contributed to my reluctance to try and grow peonies, but the point is moot now. I have two new plants.

I have grown some beautiful blue Larkspur in the past, but the wind kept blowing them over like it does with my Glads.

I cant grow Nicotiana. (flowering tobacco). I have tried it all over my yard and it always fades away and dies. Never had much luck with foxgloves, either.

I would love nicotiana too. Unfortunately the zone is all wrong. The nursery cost is similar to a perennial ..wish the price would reflect an annual. If I would have planted it this spring..with the cold snaps we had.. I bet it would not have made it.