WHAT TO PLANT IN MARCH LAFAYETTE,LA

1. What to Plant Now (Vegetables & Herbs)

    March 15th is our traditional "safe" date to move warm-weather plants outside.

• Direct-Sow Seeds: Snap beans, lima beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, and mirliton.
• Transplants: Move your tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants into the ground.
• Herbs: Plant basil, rosemary, and mint. (Tip: Plant mint in a pot so it doesn't take over your Scott, LA garden!)

2. Spring Color & Flowers

Add instant curb appeal with heat-tolerant varieties that can handle our upcoming humidity.

• Louisiana Super Plants: Look for Supertunia Vista Bubblegum—it’s famous for blooming through the summer heat.
• Summer Bulbs: Start planting Canna, Gladiolus, and Elephant Ears toward the end of the month.
• Pollinator Picks: Zinnias and Marigolds are perfect for attracting butterflies to your backyard.

3. Essential Maintenance

• Pruning: If you haven't finished pruning your Crepe Myrtles or Roses, do it early this month before they leaf out fully.
• Mulching: Apply 2–3 inches of mulch to keep moisture in the soil. (Local tip: Use fallen Live Oak leaves as a free, natural mulch!)
• Fertilizing: Once you see new growth, start a feeding schedule for your citrus trees and shrubs.

University Tested & Industry Approved

We are proud to follow the research and recommendations of the LSU AgCenter. For the best results in our unique South Louisiana climate, we prioritize Louisiana Super Plants—varieties that have undergone years of rigorous testing to ensure they can handle our intense heat, humidity, and erratic winters.

Why We Recommend "Super Plants" for Scott & Lafayette:

• Heat & Humidity Tolerant: These plants won't "melt" when our August humidity hits 90%.
• Proven Reliability: Every plant has been vetted by Louisiana horticulturists for at least two years.
• Low Maintenance: Selected specifically for superior performance with minimal fuss.

Top Picks Available at Beau Monde:

• Supertunia Vista Bubblegum: The most durable petunia for our area—it blooms through the summer heat.
• Louisiana Iris: Our native wildflower, perfectly adapted to Acadiana’s wet soils.
• ShiShi Gashira Camellia: A fall-blooming staple that adds evergreen structure to your landscape.

                                          New & Featured Louisiana Super Plants (2025-2026)

• Southern Indica Azaleas (2025 Selection): These are the "heavy hitters" of the South. The AgCenter specifically highlighted 'George L. Taber' (soft pink), 'Formosa' (vibrant purple), and 'Mrs. G.G. Gerbing' (pure white). They are long-lived, evergreen, and perfect for foundation plantings in Scott and Lafayette.
• Gaura / Bee Blossom (2025 Selection): A tough-as-nails perennial that thrives in the heat and drought. It has wispy, delicate flowers that look like butterflies hovering over the foliage.
• Vermillionaire® Cuphea (2025 Selection): Also called the "Firecracker Plant," this is a hummingbird magnet. It’s incredibly heat-tolerant and stays bushy and full of orange-red tubular flowers all summer long.
• Sorbet® Violas (2026 Featured): While most flowers fade in the winter, these are the AgCenter's top choice for 2026 "cool-season" color. They are much tougher than standard pansies and will bloom through our occasional Zone 9 freezes.
• Beacon® Impatiens: A newer favorite that is highly resistant to downy mildew (the disease that usually kills impatiens in our humidity). The new 'Blue Pearl' variety is a top performer for 2026 shade gardens.

Beau Monde Seasonal Planting Guide (Zone 9b)

Plant TypeBest Time to Plant (South LA)LSU Super Plant HighlightSpring Bedding PlantsMarch – AprilSupertunia Vista BubblegumWarm-Season AnnualsApril – JuneVermillionaire® CupheaHardy Shrubs & AzaleasNov – MarchSouthern Indica AzaleasNative PerennialsOct – AprilLouisiana IrisCool-Season ColorOct – NovSorbet® ViolasShade FavoritesMarch – MayBeacon® Impatiens