• Pampas Grasspampas grass image by JLycke from Fotolia.com
  
  If you live in the South, summers can be very hot. Fortunately for gardeners in that part of the country, there are many plants that can withstand such extreme conditions.
  
  

Pampas Grass

• One plant that grows well in the South is pampas grass. True to its name, pampas grass looks like a large patch of grass that grows long, silky plumes, which grow up to 10 feet, according to Floridata.com. These plumes most often bloom in white, but there is also an off-pink variety. They typically flower in late summer through autumn. Pampas grass requires a lot of space to grow and needs well-drained soil to prosper. According to Floridata.com, pampas grass is native to Argentina, Brazil and Chile. This plant grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10 and does very well with little water.
  
  

Crape Myrtle

• Another tough plant for your garden is the crape myrtle. This tree is popular for its long blooming period, which can run from 60 to 120 days, according to Floridata.com. The flowers, which bloom in the summer, can be pink, purple or red. Crape myrtles come in different varieties that grow as either shrubs or trees. Larger crape myrtles grow very quickly and can gain several feet in one growing season. Crape myrtles grow best in good sunlight with well-drained soil. According to Floridata.com, they thrive in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9.
  
  

Sedum

• Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a tough herbaceous plant that grows well in rock gardens. Stonecrop tends to flower in late summer and early fall. Blooms begin in pink during hot weather, but as things cool off, they change to a deep red. Stonecrop is well known for being drought-resistant and requires a good deal of sunlight to grow properly. Stonecrop can grow to 1 1/2 feet in height, but according to YouCanLearnSeries.com, it is best to cut the plant back to 8 inches to stimulate a greater flower yield.