Landscaping Tips for Manufactured Homes in the Southeast U.S.

Landscaping can do wonders for your manufactured home’s curb appeal—especially in the lush, sunny Southeast. Alongside a little planning, you can transform your outdoor space into a vibrant, welcoming extension of your home. Even better? Using these landscaping tips can offer unexpected perks like natural bug repellents, fragrant gardens, and fresh herbs right at your fingertips.

1. Start with the Foundation: Skirting and Beds
The area around the base of your home is prime real estate for landscaping. Install raised garden beds or border plants along the skirting to soften the look and create visual interest.

Best picks for the Southeast:

Boxwood

• Classic Southern Staple
• Provides a formal, evergreen backbone for foundation beds.
• Works beautifully as low hedges or stand-alone spheres for symmetry.
• Best in partial sun with good airflow to avoid disease in humid climates.

Bonus: Can be shaped to match modern or traditional home styles. Low litter, tidy year-round.

Liriope 

• Hardworking Ground Cover
• Tough as nails—handles heat, drought, humidity, and foot traffic.
• Blooms with purple flower spikes in summer; evergreen or semi-evergreen in warmer zones.
• Great for edging walkways, filling space between shrubs, or under trees.
• Controls erosion on slopes or uneven terrain around the home.

Tip: Use instead of turf in tricky shaded or dry areas. Divide clumps every few years to maintain fullness.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly 

• Evergreen and Super Tough
• Native to the Southeast; drought-resistant, salt-tolerant, and bug-resistant.
• Small, neat mounds of dark green foliage—no pruning needed unless shaping.
• Use in groups or staggered for structure around foundation or driveways.

Tip: Excellent alternative to boxwood in areas with more intense heat (like Texas or South Alabama/Florida Panhandle).

Hydrangeas (Bigleaf, Panicle, or Smooth)

• Foundation Favorites with Stunning Flowers
• Bigleaf: Blooms on old wood—best for coastal NC, northern MS/AL.
• Panicle: More sun-tolerant—great in TX and FL.
• Smooth: Native and hardy; tolerates part sun and heat.

Site Tips:

• Needs good drainage, mulch to retain moisture, and some shade in hotter regions.
• Use between windows or in mass plantings for lush color and softness.

Bonus: Flowers can be dried or cut for arrangements. Certain varieties change color based on soil pH—fun for DIYers!

Catnips

• Great Choice
• Tolerates heat and drought well; blooms heavily in spring and sometimes again in fall.
• Deer- and rabbit-resistant, and repels mosquitoes.
• Works well in full sun and well-drained soil, so avoid soggy spots.

Spirea

• Good Choice
• Especially ‘Little Princess’ or ‘Gold Mound’ varieties—compact, low-maintenance, and colorful.
• Thrives in full sun to part shade.
• Tolerates heat and humidity; just give it room to breathe to prevent mildew.

Carex (Sedge)

• Excellent for shade or part sun
• Many native or adaptable varieties love moisture and work well in shady foundation areas (under porch overhangs or eaves).
• Consider Carex oshimensis 'Everillo' for a bright pop of color.

Abelia 

• Top-Tier Southern Shrub, Part of The Honeysuckle Family
• Evergreen or semi-evergreen in mild zones like NC, AL, FL, etc.
• Long bloom time, pollinator-friendly, drought-tolerant, and stays neat.
• ‘Kaleidoscope’ and ‘Radiance’ are compact, colorful cultivars great for borders.

Stonecrop

• Excellent for hot, dry spots
• Use Sedum spectabile or Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ for bigger impact.
• Great for edging areas or rockier, dry soil conditions (especially in TX or FL).
• Avoid in heavy, wet soil.

Bonus: Many of these shrubs offer seasonal interest and are drought-tolerant once established. A perfect solution for unpredictable southern weather.

2. Repel Bugs Naturally with Beautiful Plants

Mosquitoes and gnats love humid southern air—but that doesn’t mean they have to love your yard. Certain plants naturally repel bugs, and they fit beautifully into a Southern garden design.

Try these low-maintenance, pest-repelling favorites:

Basil

• Repels: Mosquitoes, flies
• Loves: Full sun, heat, humidity
• Bonus: Delicious in cooking; fast-growing annual
• Tip: Plant in containers or raised beds; pinch flowers to keep leafy

Rosemary 

• Repels: Mosquitoes, ticks, cabbage moths
• Loves: Dry soil, full sun (great for TX/FL)
• Bonus: Edible, fragrant, evergreen in mild winters
• Tip: Avoid soggy soil; trim regularly for shape

Chrysanthemums 

• Repels: Ants, mosquitoes, ticks, roaches, beetles
• Loves: Fall sun and cool temps
• Bonus: Bright seasonal color; contains pyrethrin (natural bug killer)
• Tip: Cut back mid-summer for dense fall blooms

Sage 

• Repels: Beetles, cabbage moths, mosquitoes
• Loves: Full sun, dry heat (best for TX/AL)
• Bonus: Culinary and ornamental; attracts hummingbirds
• Tip: Needs excellent drainage, especially in humid areas

Bee Balm 

• Repels: Mosquitoes
• Loves: Moist soil + morning sun (best in NC/SC/MS/AL)
• Bonus: Native, showy blooms; attracts bees & hummingbirds
• Tip: Space plants for airflow; choose mildew-resistant types

Lavender 

• Repels: Mosquitoes, fleas, moths
• Loves: Full sun, dry conditions, alkaline soil
• Best Zones: Texas hill country, northern AL/NC/SC—may struggle in humid FL
• Bonus: Aromatic, beautiful flowers; used in oils, sachets
• Tip: Needs excellent drainage—ideal in raised beds or pots

Citronella Grass

• Repels: Mosquitoes (source of citronella oil)
• Loves: Full sun, warmth, moist soil
• Best Zones: TX, FL, AL, MS — not frost hardy
• Bonus: Tall, tropical look; natural scent for patios
• Tip: Grow in large pots so you can overwinter indoors if needed

Lemongrass 

• Repels: Mosquitoes
• Loves: Full sun, heat, well-drained soil
• Bonus: Edible (stems used in cooking), ornamental grass look
• Tip: Grows large—space 2–3 feet apart or plant in containers

Mint 

• Repels: Ants, mosquitoes, spiders
• Loves: Moist soil, part sun
• Bonus: Culinary; cooling scent
• Tip: Keep in pots only—spreads aggressively in beds!

Marigolds

• Repels: Aphids, mosquitoes, nematodes, whiteflies
• Loves: Full sun, heat
• Bonus: Bright, cheerful annuals; attract pollinators too
• Tip: Use as border plants or in veggie beds to deter pests

3. Create a Scent Garden for Evening Enjoyment

Southern evenings are made for sitting outside. Why not surround your space with beautiful scents?

Fragrant Southern stars include:

• Gardenias: Glossy green leaves and creamy blooms with a luxurious scent.
• Night-blooming jasmine: A vine that releases a powerful fragrance after sunset.
• Sweet alyssum and dianthus: Compact, border-friendly flowers with lovely smells.

Pro tip: Use containers or vertical planters near windows and doors so indoor spaces can benefit from the scent too.

4. Grow an Edible Landscape

Edible landscaping isn’t just trendy, it’s practical. And in the Southeast, the warm climate means a longer growing season for herbs and fruits.

Edible Herbs (Compact, Fragrant, Useful)

Basil

• Annual herb, loves heat and sun.
• Great in pots or borders; pinch flowers for bushier growth.

Thyme

• Perennial groundcover in warm climates.
• Perfect for edging walkways or filling between stepping stones.
• Lemon thyme adds fragrance near entryways.

Oregano

• Perennial in Zones 7–10; very drought-tolerant once established.
• Great for dry borders or under taller shrubs.
• Attracts pollinators when it blooms.

Rosemary

• Evergreen shrub/herb that thrives in hot, dry soil.
• Can be shaped as low hedges or added to decorative pots.

Fruits (Shrubs and Trees for Small Yards)

Blueberries 

• Thrive in acidic soil (use pine mulch).
• Compact cultivars like ‘Jelly Bean’ or ‘Sunshine Blue’ are great near foundations.
• Beautiful spring flowers and red fall foliage.

Figs 

• Easy to grow in full sun, especially in TX, AL, MS, and FL.
• Varieties like ‘Celeste’ and ‘Brown Turkey’ do well in the Southeast.
• Large leaves add a tropical vibe near patios or driveways.

Edible Flowers (Fragrant and Functional)

Hibiscus 

• Grows well in hot, humid climates.
• Roselle hibiscus (H. sabdariffa) used in teas and jams.
• Striking flowers also attract hummingbirds.

Chamomile 

• Prefers cooler seasons or part shade in hot climates.
• Great as a filler herb near porches or under taller perennials.
• Dried flowers make calming tea.

Medicinal & Pollinator-Friendly Edibles

Elderberry

• Native varieties grow well in moist soil with sun or part shade.
• Attractive foliage and fragrant spring flowers.
• Flowers and berries used in syrups and teas.

Leafy Greens & Unusual Edibles

Kale

• Cool-season annual; grows through fall and spring in most of the Southeast.
• Looks ornamental in rows or among flowers.
• Purple or frilly-leaf types blend beautifully with flowers.

Rhubarb

• Needs some shade in hotter regions (especially FL/TX).
• Large red stems and bold leaves—ornamental and edible.
• Best in NC and northern AL/MS zones with cooler winters.

Plant them in decorative pots, raised beds, or mix them into flower beds for a functional, beautiful landscape.

5. Mulch Like a Pro

Mulching helps your landscape look tidy while reducing weeds and retaining soil moisture—a must in hot Southern summers.

Use natural mulch options like:

• Pine bark (widely available in the Southeast)
• Pine straw (a Southern classic)
• Cocoa bean mulch (adds a sweet scent, but avoid if you have dogs—it can be toxic)

Bonus benefit: Mulch helps regulate soil temperature and discourages insects from nesting near your home.

6. Create a Welcome Path and Seating Area

A defined walkway and cozy seating can elevate the entire look of your home.

Try these Southeast-friendly ideas:

• Use gravel or pavers for easy-to-maintain paths.
• Add solar lights along the walkway for safety and ambiance.
• Include a bench or a pair of rocking chairs to invite neighbors or guests to stay a while.

Add potted plants with bright annuals or herbs around the area for a touch of color and utility.

Final Thoughts

Landscaping your manufactured home doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. By using the landscaping tips, such as climate-appropriate plants with bonus benefits like pest control, fragrance, and edibility, you’ll not only boost your home’s curb appeal, you’ll create a healthier, more enjoyable outdoor space for yourself and your guests.