Garden plants by aspect and soil, with RHS hardiness ratings

Name: Garden Stylist AI plant list
Creator: Garden Stylist AI

This is the plant list every Garden Stylist AI design draws from: 117 plants that grow in UK gardens, each with its RHS hardiness rating, the aspect, light and soil it needs and its ultimate size. Every row links to the RHS page the facts came from, and 80 also carry a USDA zone for US readers.

Facts read from each plant's RHS Find a Plant page and the NC State Extension plant toolbox on 16 October 2026. 30 rows were re-read against the live RHS page by a second checker with no mismatches. See how the list is checked.

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117 plants shown

Plant list with RHS hardiness, USDA zones, light, aspect, soil and size
Plant	RHS	USDA zones	Light	Aspect	Soil	Height x spread	Source
Acer palmatumJapanese maple	H6	5a to 8b	Sun or part shade	West, East, South	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	8m x 8m	RHS, NC State
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' (A)Japanese maple 'Bloodgood'	H6, AGM	5a to 8b	Sun or part shade	West, East, South	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	4m x 4m	RHS, NC State
Achillea millefoliumcommon yarrow	H7	3a to 9b	Full sun	South, North, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Agapanthus Headbourne hybridsAfrican lily Headbourne hybrids	H4	zone not published	Full sun	West, East, South	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS
Ajuga reptansbugle	H7	3a to 10b	Part shade	North, West, East	Clay, Loam	50cm x 1m	RHS, NC State
Alchemilla mollislady's mantle	H7, AGM	3a to 8b	Sun to full shade	South, North, East, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Allium 'Purple Sensation'Dutch garlic 'Purple Sensation'	H6, AGM	zone not published	Full sun	South, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS
Amelanchier lamarckiisnowy mespilus	H7, AGM	zone not published	Sun or part shade	North, West, South, East	Clay, Loam, Sand	12m x 8m	RHS
Anemone × hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'Japanese anemone 'Honorine Jobert'	H7, AGM	4a to 8b	Sun or part shade	South, East, North, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Aquilegia vulgariscommon columbine	H7	zone not published	Sun or part shade	East, South	Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS
Armeria maritimathrift	H5	4a to 8b	Full sun	South, North, East, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Asplenium scolopendriumhart's tongue fern	H6, AGM	zone not published	Part to full shade	North, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS
Astelia chathamicasilver spear	H3, AGM	zone not published	Sun or part shade	West, South, East	Clay, Loam	1.5m x 1m	RHS
Astrantia majorgreater masterwort	H7	zone not published	Sun or part shade	South, North, West, East	Clay, Loam	1m x 50cm	RHS
Bergenia cordifoliaheart-leaf bergenia	H7	3a to 8b	Sun or part shade	South, North, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Betula utilis subsp. jacquemontiiWest Himalayan birch	H7	zone not published	Sun or part shade	South, North, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	12m x 8m	RHS
Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'Siberian bugloss 'Jack Frost'	H6, AGM	3a to 8b	Part to full shade	North, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 1m	RHS, NC State
Buxus sempervirenscommon box	H6	5a to 8b	Part to full shade	East, South, North, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	8m x 8m	RHS, NC State
Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster'	H6, AGM	5a to 9b	Sun or part shade	South, North, East, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Campanula persicifoliapeach-leaved bellflower	H7	3a to 7b	Sun or part shade	North, East, South, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' (v)Japanese sedge 'Evergold'	H7, AGM	5a to 9b	Sun or part shade	West, South, North, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Choisya ternataMexican orange blossom	H4, AGM	7b to 10b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 2.5m	RHS, NC State
Cistus × purpureuspurple-flowered rock rose	H4, AGM	zone not published	Full sun	South, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS
Clematis montana var. rubens 'Vera'clematis 'Vera'	H5	6a to 9b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	12m x 8m	RHS, NC State
Cordyline australiscabbage palm	H3, AGM	9a to 11b	Sun or part shade	South, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	8m x 4m	RHS, NC State
Cornus alba 'Sibirica'Siberian dogwood	H7	3a to 7b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Clay, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 2.5m	RHS, NC State
Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'dogwood 'Midwinter Fire'	H6	5a to 7b	Sun or part shade	South, North, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 2.5m	RHS, NC State
Delphinium elatumalpine delphinium	H5	3a to 7b	Full sun	South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Digitalis [Pink Panther]foxglove 'Panther'	H4	zone not published	Sun or part shade	East, North, South, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS
Digitalis purpureacommon foxglove	H7	4a to 9b	Sun or part shade	South, East, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Dryopteris filix-masmale fern	H7, AGM	4a to 9b	Part to full shade	North, West, East, South	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Echinacea purpureapurple coneflower	H5	3a to 8b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Epimedium × versicolor 'Sulphureum'barrenwort 'Sulphureum'	H7, AGM	5a to 9b	Sun to full shade	West, South, North, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Erigeron glaucusglaucous-leaved fleabane	H5	zone not published	Full sun	South, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 1m	RHS
Erigeron karvinskianusMexican fleabane	H5, AGM	zone not published	Full sun	West, South, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand, Clay	50cm x 1m	RHS
Eryngium bourgatiiMediterranean eryngo	H5	zone not published	Full sun	South, West, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS
Erysimum linifolium 'Bowles' Mauve'wallflower 'Bowles's Mauve'	H4, AGM	7a to 9b	Full sun	East, South, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Escallonia 'Apple Blossom'escallonia 'Apple Blossom'	H4, AGM	zone not published	Sun or part shade	North, West, South, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 2.5m	RHS
Euonymus fortunei [Emerald Gaiety]spindle 'Emerald Gaiety'	H5, AGM	5a to 8b	Sun or part shade	South, East, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 1.5m	RHS, NC State
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfeniiMediterranean spurge	H4	6a to 8b	Full sun	South, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 1.5m	RHS, NC State
Fatsia japonicaJapanese aralia	H5, AGM	7b to 10b	Sun to full shade	West, South, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	4m x 4m	RHS, NC State
Filipendula ulmariameadowsweet	H6	3a to 9b	Sun or part shade	North, West, East, South	Clay, Loam	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Geranium [Rozanne] ('Gerwat')cranesbill [Rozanne]	H7, AGM	5a to 8b	Sun or part shade	South, North, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Geranium macrorrhizumbig-root cranesbill	H7	zone not published	Sun to full shade	North, South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 1m	RHS
Geranium phaeumdusky cranesbill	H7	zone not published	Sun to full shade	West, South, North, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS
Hakonechloa macraJapanese forest grass	H7, AGM	5a to 9b	Sun to full shade	West, South, North, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Hebe rakaiensisRakai hebe	H4, AGM	zone not published	Sun or part shade	East, South, North, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 1.5m	RHS
Helianthemum 'Wisley Primrose'rock rose 'Wisley Primrose'	H4, AGM	zone not published	Full sun	South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS
Helleborus × hybridushybrid Lenten rose	H7	4a to 9b	Sun or part shade	West, East, South, North	Chalk, Clay, Loam	50cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro'daylily 'Stella de Oro'	H6	zone not published	Full sun	West, South	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS
Hosta 'June'plantain lily 'June'	H7, AGM	zone not published	Part shade	East, North	Clay, Loam	50cm x 50cm	RHS
Hosta 'Sum and Substance'plantain lily 'Sum and Substance'	H7, AGM	zone not published	Part shade	North, East, West	Clay, Loam	1m x 1m	RHS
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolarisclimbing hydrangea	H5, AGM	zone not published	Sun or part shade	East, North, South, West	Clay, Loam, Sand	12m x 8m	RHS
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'hydrangea 'Annabelle'	H6, AGM	3a to 9b	Sun or part shade	South, North, West, East	Clay, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 2.5m	RHS, NC State
Hydrangea macrophylla (H)hortensia	H5	6a to 11b	Sun or part shade	South, West, North, East	Clay, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 2.5m	RHS, NC State
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'panicled hydrangea 'Limelight'	H5, AGM	3a to 9b	Sun or part shade	West, East, South, North	Clay, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 2.5m	RHS, NC State
Hylotelephium Herbstfreude Group	H7	zone not published	Full sun	South, West, East	Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS
Ilex crenataJapanese holly	H6	5a to 8b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Loam, Sand	8m x 1.5m	RHS, NC State
Iris sibiricaSiberian flag	H7	3a to 8b	Sun or part shade	West, East, South	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Knautia macedonicaMacedonian scabious	H7	zone not published	Full sun	South, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS
Lamprocapnos spectabilisbleeding heart	H6, AGM	3a to 9b	Part shade	North, East, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Lathyrus odoratussweet pea	H3	2a to 11b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Clay, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso'lavender 'Grosso'	H5	5a to 8b	Full sun	East, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'English lavender 'Hidcote'	H5, AGM	5a to 9b	Full sun	South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 1m	RHS, NC State
Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'English lavender 'Munstead'	H5	5a to 9b	Full sun	West, South, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	50cm x 1m	RHS, NC State
Leucanthemum × superbumShasta daisy	H5	5a to 9b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Ligularia 'The Rocket'leopard plant 'The Rocket'	H6, AGM	zone not published	Full sun	South, West	Clay, Loam	2.5m x 1m	RHS
Liriope muscaribig blue lilyturf	H5, AGM	5a to 10b	Part to full shade	West, East, North	Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Lonicera periclymenumcommon honeysuckle	H6	5a to 9b	Sun or part shade	South, North, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	8m x 4m	RHS, NC State
Lupinus 'The Governor' (Band of Nobles Series)lupin 'The Governor'	H5	zone not published	Sun or part shade	East, South, North	Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS
Luzula niveasnow rush	H5	zone not published	Part to full shade	East, North	Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS
Lysimachia clethroidesgooseneck loosestrife	H6, AGM	3a to 8b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Mahonia × media 'Charity'Oregon grape 'Charity'	H5	7a to 9b	Sun or part shade	North, South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	4m x 4m	RHS, NC State
Malus 'Evereste'crab apple 'Evereste'	H6, AGM	zone not published	Sun or part shade	South, North, East, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	8m x 8m	RHS
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' (v)eulalia 'Morning Light'	H6, AGM	5a to 9b	Full sun	South, North, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Nandina domesticaheavenly bamboo	H5	6a to 9b	Full sun	East, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 1.5m	RHS, NC State
Nepeta × faasseniigarden catmint	H7	5a to 9b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Olea europaea (F)common olive	H4	8a to 10b	Full sun	South	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	8m x 2.5m	RHS, NC State
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'mondo grass 'Kokuryu'	H5, AGM	6a to 9b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Osmanthus × burkwoodiiBurkwood osmanthus	H5, AGM	6a to 8b	Sun or part shade	North, East, South, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	4m x 4m	RHS, NC State
Pachysandra terminalisJapanese spurge	H5	4a to 9b	Part to full shade	North, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 1.5m	RHS, NC State
Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt'peony 'Sarah Bernhardt'	H6, AGM	zone not published	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'Chinese fountain grass 'Hameln'	H3, AGM	5a to 9b	Full sun	South, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Penstemon 'Garnet'penstemon 'Andenken an Friedrich Hahn'	H5, AGM	zone not published	Sun or part shade	East, South, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS
Persicaria amplexicaulisred bistort	H7	zone not published	Sun or part shade	North, West, East, South	Clay, Loam	1.5m x 1.5m	RHS
Phlomis fruticosaJerusalem sage	H5, AGM	7a to 10b	Full sun	South, West, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1m x 1.5m	RHS, NC State
Phlox paniculataperennial phlox	H7	4a to 8b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Photinia × fraseri 'Red Robin'Christmas berry 'Red Robin'	H5, AGM	7a to 9b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Loam, Sand, Chalk	8m x 4m	RHS, NC State
Pittosporum tenuifoliumtawhiwhi	H4	zone not published	Sun or part shade	West, South, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	8m x 4m	RHS
Pittosporum tobira 'Nanum'Japanese pittosporum 'Nanum'	H3	8a to 10b	Sun or part shade	South, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Polystichum setiferumsoft shield fern	H7, AGM	7a to 9a	Part to full shade	North, South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood'shrubby cinquefoil 'Abbotswood'	H7, AGM	2a to 7b	Sun or part shade	South, East, North, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Prunus lusitanicaPortugal laurel	H5, AGM	6a to 9b	Sun or part shade	North, South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	12m x 8m	RHS, NC State
Pulmonaria 'Sissinghurst White'lungwort 'Sissinghurst White'	H6, AGM	zone not published	Part to full shade	West, East, North	Chalk, Clay, Loam	50cm x 50cm	RHS
Rosa [Gertrude Jekyll] ('Ausbord') (S)rose [Gertrude Jekyll]	H6, AGM	zone not published	Sun or part shade	West, South, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 1m	RHS
Rosa [Munstead Wood] ('Ausbernard') (S)rose [Munstead Wood]	H6	zone not published	Full sun	West, South, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 1m	RHS
Rosa [The Generous Gardener] ('Ausdrawn') (Cl)rose [The Generous Gardener]	H6, AGM	zone not published	Sun or part shade	North, South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	8m x 4m	RHS
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'coneflower 'Goldsturm'	H6, AGM	3a to 9b	Sun or part shade	West, South, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam	1m x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'Balkan clary 'Caradonna'	H6, AGM	4a to 8b	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Salvia officinaliscommon sage	H5	4a to 8b	Full sun	South, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Salvia rosmarinus (Ro)rosemary	H4	8a to 10b	Full sun	South, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 2.5m	RHS, NC State
Sanguisorba officinalisgreat burnet	H7	zone not published	Sun or part shade	South, West, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 50cm	RHS
Santolina chamaecyparissuslavender cotton	H5	6a to 9b	Full sun	South, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	50cm x 1m	RHS, NC State
Sarcococca confusasweet box	H5, AGM	6b to 9b	Part to full shade	West, East, North	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1.5m x 1.5m	RHS, NC State
Skimmia japonicaJapanese skimmia	H5	7a to 8b	Part to full shade	South, North, West, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 1.5m	RHS, NC State
Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame'Japanese spiraea 'Goldflame'	H6	3a to 8b	Sun or part shade	East, South, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Stachys byzantinalamb's ear	H7	4a to 9b	Full sun	South	Chalk, Loam, Sand	50cm x 1m	RHS, NC State
Stipa giganteagolden oats	H4, AGM	5a to 8b	Full sun	South, West, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 1m	RHS, NC State
Stipa tenuissimaMexican feather grass	H4, AGM	7a to 10b	Full sun	South, West, East, North	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	1m x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Taxus baccatacommon yew	H7, AGM	6a to 7b	Sun to full shade	South, North, East, West	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	12m x 8m	RHS, NC State
Thymus serpyllum L.wild thyme	H5	4a to 9b	Full sun	South, West	Chalk, Loam, Sand	10cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Thymus vulgariscommon thyme	H5	5a to 9b	Full sun	South, West, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	50cm x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Trachelospermum jasminoidesstar jasmine	H4, AGM	8a to 10b	Sun or part shade	West, South, East	Chalk, Loam, Sand	12m x 8m	RHS, NC State
Verbena bonariensispurple top	H4, AGM	7a to 11b	Full sun	West, South	Chalk, Loam, Sand	2.5m x 50cm	RHS, NC State
Viburnum opulusguelder rose	H6	2a to 8b	Sun or part shade	North, West, South, East	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	8m x 4m	RHS, NC State
Viburnum tinuslaurustinus	H4	8a to 10b	Sun to full shade	West, East, South	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	4m x 4m	RHS, NC State
Vinca minorlesser periwinkle	H6	4a to 9b	Sun to full shade	West, East, South, North	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand	50cm x 1.5m	RHS, NC State

What the RHS hardiness ratings mean

The RHS rates plants from H1a (grown under glass all year) to H7 (hardy colder than minus 20°C, even on exposed upland sites). Most plants here sit between H4 and H7. H4 means hardy through most of the UK down to about minus 10°C, apart from inland valleys, high ground and central or northern areas, and plants in pots are more at risk. H5 copes with most severe UK winters, and H6 is hardy throughout the UK.

The RHS publishes the full scale on its hardiness rating page.

AGM means the plant holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit, given after trials for reliable performance in UK gardens. USDA zones are the US equivalent based on average winter minimum temperature. Where the NC State plant toolbox does not list a plant, the row says "zone not published" rather than guessing.

How to use the list

Start with the direction your garden faces, then your soil. A plant listed for north-facing and clay is a sensible choice for a shady bed on heavy soil; a plant listed only for south and west and only for sand or chalk will struggle there.

For aspect advice see plants for a north-facing garden, and for style-led selections see the garden styles.