Page 59 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2026

Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry.
Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
This is the time of the year to clean up the yard, say goodbye to the foliage bitten by the last freeze, and make plans for
fresh plantings. Landscaping is just like designing your home’s interiors. There is no right or wrong way to do it. You should create a yard that works for you, your lifestyle, and the style of your home’s exterior. Do you want a more formal, symmetrical design to match your formal home? Do you like blooming color? Do you want separate garden spaces with different purposes? Do you like to work in the yard and maintain beds or do you want less maintenance?
Our one basic rule when it comes to landscaping is that it should look planned with the intent of your design evident, even if that means it looks like a wild meadow because that is what you wanted! Every good landscaping project requires thoughtful consideration of your property’s topography,
how the natural elements, such as legacy trees, affect other plants, how you will handle watering needs, and how you will maintain your design. We suggest looking at plant species native to South Mississippi. Native plants are tolerant of our climate, often requiring less water and maintenance, are more disease resistant, and provide habitat for birds and wildlife. They thrive in their natural habitat.
Some of our favorite blooming natives are Louisiana Iris,
a colorful flower with simple, slender petals that looks like a sturdy grass when it is not blooming. Black-eyed Susan’s and Milkweed are also colorful and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The American Beautyberry is a green shrub with amazing magenta colored berries. This one will keep the birds in the yard fat and happy.
Of course, the quintessential Southern blooming shrubs like Azaleas, Camillias, Sasanquas, Hydrangeas, and Gardenias
are still must haves for a traditional Southern look. Fringe trees with white bushy blooms, Hollies that stay green year round, and Crepe Myrtles add height to the mix. Layering the yard with varying plant heights is key to a lush look.
Dillon Pike, of Pike Landscape, works across the Gulf Coast creating beautiful residential, as well as commercial outdoor spaces. “We absolutely recommend using native plants in any landscaping plan. There is so much to choose from here. In addition to the tried and true shrubs, we use a lot of grasses. All grasses are good and interesting,” he says. There are many species of grasses as well as palms to add shape and texture to the yard. We personally love grasses with subtle purple or light green blooms that look like fluffy cat tails swaying in the wind.
We must mention roses. Several varieties grow well here. We love what we call cottage style roses with thick globe shaped blooms that have so many layers you cannot see the center until the rose completely opens. Hybrid roses are stunning but do require some work to keep them blooming for prolonged periods, however, there are shrub and climbing roses that are beautiful even if they get away from you. They provide massive color, and many climbers are also incredibly fragrant.
Planting vegetation that offers a treat for your nose is something to think about. Add rosemary and mint to the yard for their fragrance and culinary benefits and add lemon grass for its natural bug repellent qualities. Herbs are beautiful additions to container gardens as well. If you want more color or want to enjoy a few annuals, create a flower container garden for the porch or deck. Plant something in the yard you can cut and bring inside all summer long.
There are too many wonderful native plants to mention
them all. Make a visit to your local nursery and browse all the options. Ask for suggestions. A good nursery or landscaping professional will be happy to help. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The earth laughs in flowers.” Go outside, get your hands dirty, and plant some laughter in your yard. Laughter is good for the soul, you know.
Sassy Bird Interiors
211 Main St., Bay St. Louis 228.344.3181 | www.sassybirdinteriors.com
American Beautyberry
Fringe Tree Muhly Grass