My name is Mary, and I live in Southeast Louisiana, where the winters are mild, and the summers are scorching.
Gardening can be difficult here.
We are listed in Zone 8b, but plants frequently identified as suited for Zone 8 do not survive here, due to the intense heat and lack of cold in winter. Through trial and error, I have learned some of the things that will not make it here, and the things that will. We do have the advantage of growing many tropicals here in this sub-tropical climate. Things such as bananas, Angels Trumpet, cannas, gingers, etc., that in other climates can only be grown potted and brought in for the winter, here can be planted in the garden. Some things will freeze if the weather gets that cold, but are root hardy and will come back from the roots.