What Grows in Oklahoma Gardens?
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Oklahoma’s diverse environment allows for a rich selection of plants, from native wildflowers and fruits to vegetables and nut trees. Let’s delve into what grows in Oklahoma, even for beginning gardeners.
Oklahoma has a mix of USDA hardiness zones, typically ranging from zones 6a to 8a, depending on elevation and location. We experience long, hot summers and cool to cold winters, with average annual rainfall varying significantly between the eastern and western parts.
It’s better to work with your climate than try to fight against it. You’ll be in line for a lot of disappointment if you try to make it bow to you. Nature is nature. So start with what likes it here for more success!
What Fruit Grows in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s long growing season supports many varieties of fruit, both native and cultivated. Some of the most popular fruits grown in Oklahoma include apples, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, blackberries, and grapes. In recent years, more gardeners are also exploring figs, elderberries, and even hardy varieties of pomegranates.
At Little Sprouts, we grow apples, strawberries, figs, and elderberries with great success and have since we started our garden in 2012. We try to grow blueberries as well, but are still trying to learn success with those. We have done pears, cherries, and plums, but sometimes have trouble keeping our trees alive.
Apples are a reliable choice, especially cultivars like Gala, Fuji, and Granny Smith. These trees require some chilling hours in the winter to produce fruit, which Oklahoma typically provides. Peach trees also do well in Oklahoma, especially in the southern and central regions. Varieties like Elberta, Redhaven, and Harvester produce sweet, juicy fruit during the warm summer months.
They grow Elberta and Redhaven at our local orchard in Porter, OK, Livesays, but we haven’t had success keeping our peach trees alive without lots of spraying. We need to learn more about fruit trees and how to properly steward them. But we are working on it. We have great success with apples and pears. (Except for the squirrel situation)
Pears, including Bartlett and Kieffer, are another strong performer in the Oklahoma climate. They tolerate both heat and cold well and have good resistance to pests. Plums, especially those bred for southern climates, can also be grown successfully. We grew a ton of sand plums which are a native species here, but borers took our tree. (Again, with the spraying knowledge)
Strawberries are a garden favorite and grow well in both raised beds and containers. They require full sun and regular water. June-bearing varieties like Chandler and Eversweet are common in Oklahoma gardens. We find them fairly easy to grow if we don’t have a lot of drought. Raised beds are really tough to keep from drying out during drought.
Blackberries thrive here as well, especially thornless varieties like Apache and Natchez, which are easy to harvest.
Grapes are a popular option for both home gardeners and commercial vineyards. American hybrid varieties such as Concord and Catawba, as well as muscadine grapes in the southeastern regions, do well. They need full sun, good drainage, and a trellis system for best growth.
Figs can grow in the warmer parts of Oklahoma, though winter protection may be needed in colder zones. The Celeste and Brown Turkey varieties are known to be more cold-hardy and suitable for the state’s climate. We don’t have any issues growing a great crop of figs on our fig bush at Little Sprouts.
What Vegetables Grow in Oklahoma?
Vegetable gardening is incredibly productive in Oklahoma due to the long growing season and abundant sunshine. Many vegetables can be grown both in the spring and fall, making it possible to enjoy fresh produce nearly year-round with proper planning.
Cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, kale, radishes, and broccoli can be planted in early spring or late summer for fall harvests. These vegetables prefer cooler temperatures and can even withstand light frost. Carrots, beets, and turnips also do well in these seasons, growing sweet and flavorful as the weather cools.
We love growing carrots, radishes, lettuce, kale, cabbage, and broccoli and cauliflower. Broccoli and cauliflower tend to bolt before we get too much production, but sometimes we can get a nice bowl full. The others grow faster and give us more of a harvest. We also love growing onions and peas in our spring garden.
Check out these tutorials on how:
- How to Grow Lettuce
- How to Grow Kale in Your Garden
- Growing radishes in containers
- How to Grow Cabbage
- How to Grow Carrots Successfully at Home
- Growing Sweet Peas in the Garden
- How to Grow Onions
Warm-season vegetables thrive in Oklahoma’s hot summers. Tomatoes are a garden staple and do particularly well in raised beds and containers. Popular varieties include Better Boy, Celebrity, and Cherokee Purple. Peppers, including bell, banana, and jalapeño, flourish in full sun and well-drained soil.
Cucumbers, squash, and zucchini are vigorous growers and produce abundant yields with regular harvesting. Plant them in hills or rows and provide plenty of space to spread. We battle squash bugs full time here, so we have opted out of squash the past few years.
How to grow:
Watermelons and cantaloupes also love Oklahoma’s heat and do best in areas with long, hot summers. Varieties like Sugar Baby and Crimson Sweet are particularly well-suited to the region.
Green beans, okra, corn, and eggplant round out the list of top warm-season crops. Okra, in particular, thrives in hot, dry conditions and is a real producer with very few problems with pests and diseases. It will produce well into fall as well. It’s a powerhouse in an Oklahoma garden! Sweet corn requires space and pollination from other corn plants, so plant in blocks rather than long rows for better yields. And watch out for those dang raccoons!
How to grow:
- How to Grow Bush Green Beans and Pole Green Beans
- How to Grow Okra
- How to Plant Corn in a Small Garden
With careful succession planting and the use of row covers or cold frames, it’s possible to harvest fresh vegetables in every season. Raised beds and good soil amendments help improve results, especially in areas with clay or sandy soils.
What Nuts Grow in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s climate also supports several types of nut trees, making it possible to grow a long-term source of protein-rich food right in your own yard. The most prominent nut tree in the state is the native pecan tree.
Pecans are well adapted to Oklahoma’s conditions and can be found growing wild along rivers and streams as well as in managed orchards. They require full sun and ample space, as they can grow to over 70 feet tall. Popular cultivars include Pawnee, Kanza, and Desirable. With proper care, pecan trees can provide large harvests of nuts each fall.
Walnut trees also grow in Oklahoma, particularly in the eastern and central parts of the state. Black walnuts are native and produce rich, flavorful nuts, although the hard shell makes them more difficult to crack. English walnuts can also be grown in the right conditions, but they are less cold-hardy and require more protection.
Hazelnuts are a promising option for smaller spaces, especially hybrid varieties that are more resistant to disease. These shrubs grow to about 10-15 feet and produce clusters of small nuts surrounded by leafy husks. They’re a great option for edible landscaping.
Chestnuts, especially Chinese chestnuts, are increasingly popular and do well in Oklahoma soils. These trees prefer well-drained soil and full sun and can produce sweet, edible nuts in just a few years with proper care.
What Flowers Grow in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s climate supports a vibrant selection of annuals, perennials, wildflowers, and flowering shrubs that brighten gardens from spring through fall. Some of the most beloved flowers in the state are native species, which are naturally adapted to Oklahoma’s soil, weather, and pollinators.
Native black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, blanket flowers, and Indian paintbrush are native wildflowers that grow beautifully in Oklahoma. These flowers not only tolerate heat and drought but also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. They make excellent additions to wildflower meadows, borders, and low-maintenance flower beds.
Zinnias, marigolds, petunias, and cosmos are popular annuals that thrive in Oklahoma’s sunny summers. Zinnias are my absolute favorite! They thrive on abuse and I give plenty of that in my garden. Marigolds do as well, although not as lovely as the zinnia. They both have great benefits in a vegetable garden. These flowers come in a wide range of colors and sizes and bloom for months with regular deadheading. They’re easy to grow from seed and do well in containers or garden beds.
How to grow:
- 7 Reasons Zinnias are a Must-Have in Your Garden!
- How to Grow Marigold Flowers in Your Vegetable Garden
- How to Grow Cosmos in Oklahoma
Perennials such as daylilies, salvia, coreopsis, and phlox are ideal for Oklahoma landscapes. These hardy flowers return year after year and often spread, filling in garden beds with color and texture. Bearded irises, hostas, and echinacea are also strong performers, especially with a layer of mulch to protect their roots in winter.
Roses grow exceptionally well in Oklahoma, particularly shrub roses and disease-resistant varieties like Knock Out roses. With plenty of sunlight, good airflow, and regular feeding, roses can bloom profusely throughout the growing season. We live in a flood plain that is always holding water, so roses don’t do well for us, but if you don’t have a soggy yard, they’ll perform beautifully for you!
Flowering shrubs like hydrangeas, spirea, butterfly bush, and crape myrtle provide structure and long-lasting blooms in the garden. Crape myrtles, in particular, are well-suited to Oklahoma’s climate and offer stunning summer color with minimal maintenance.
What Herbs Grow in Oklahoma?
Herbs are a perfect addition to Oklahoma gardens, thriving in raised beds, containers, and even windowsills. Many herbs are drought-tolerant and flourish in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and sage are warm-season herbs that love the heat and produce abundant flavor throughout the summer.
How to grow:
Cooler-season herbs like cilantro, parsley, dill, and chives do best in spring and fall when temperatures are more moderate. These herbs can often be grown as annuals or reseeded naturally for a continuous harvest. Mint is another hardy option, though it spreads quickly and is best grown in containers to control its growth.
Lavender and lemongrass are two fragrant herbs that not only look beautiful but also attract beneficial insects and deter pests. Both require full sun and good drainage and can be used in both culinary and ornamental gardens.
Best Native Plants for Oklahoma Gardens
Using native plants in your garden can help conserve water, reduce the need for fertilizers, and support local ecosystems. Native grasses such as little bluestem, switchgrass, and buffalo grass add beauty and texture while providing erosion control and habitat for wildlife.
Native wildflowers like purple coneflower, butterfly milkweed, goldenrod, and blazing star are beautiful and beneficial to pollinators. These plants are adapted to Oklahoma’s weather extremes and require little maintenance once established.
Redbud trees, Oklahoma’s state tree, are native and provide early spring blooms and attractive foliage. Other native trees include Eastern red cedar, post oak, and black cherry.
What Trees Grow in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s diverse landscape supports a wide range of trees for shade, fruit, timber, and ornamental use. Shade trees such as oak, maple, elm, and hackberry grow well across the state. Fast-growing trees like tulip poplar and sycamore are popular for quickly providing shade and visual impact.
Evergreen trees like Eastern red cedar and pine varieties provide year-round greenery and windbreaks for rural properties.
Ornamental trees like flowering dogwood, crape myrtle, and magnolia offer seasonal beauty and are well-suited to Oklahoma’s urban and suburban landscapes.
