AZALEAS

Azaleas are perhaps Atlanta's most popular shrub.  The springtime blooms of white, red, pink, and purple, combined with the white blooms of dogwoods, send gardeners into a landscaping frenzy.  Azaleas were first cultivated by the Japanese many centuries ago.  Today, there are thousands of hybrids. Azaleas can be grown in the sun or shade. If grown in full sun, consistent watering is a must or the plant will suffer and die. Azaleas are slow growers and do not need a lot of fertilizer. However, regular fertilizations will result in faster growth and more flowers. Fertilize in February through April. Prune azaleas after they finish blooming. If you prune azaleas in late summer or fall, you will be pruning off next springs flowers. Deadheading, or removing dead flowers, is beneficial to increasing next year's flowers.

RHODODENDRONS

Rhododendrons have large and spectacular flower displays in late spring. Cousins of Azaleas, they are larger, with bigger and darker green leaves. Rhododendrons come from the Himalayan mountains where large plants grow over 50 feet tall. They are also very popular in Britain. American varieties tend to grow 3 to 8 feet tall. There are numerous varieties, sizes, and shapes. Most grow best in partial shade. Removing dead flowers, deadheading, will dramatically increase the number of next year's flowers.

CAMELLIAS

Camellia Japonica - Dense pyramid of lustrous dark green foliage. This shrub has beautiful flowers from December till April. Cold nights can brown its petals. Below 0 degree temperatures can kill the plant. It grows 8 to 10 feet tall and grows best in partial shade. 

Camellia Sasanqua - Smaller and more refined than Camellia Japonica. The leaves are a lustrous dark green though smaller than Camellia Japonica. Small flowers bloom  from September to December.

HYDRANGEA

Summer flowering deciduous shrub which comes in numerous varieties. The plant has large medium green leaves. It does best in partial shade and is actually very difficult to establish in full sun. Hydrangeas bloom on previous years growth and pruning should be done right after flowering. The flower's color is dependent on soil PH and can change. Blue flowers need a PH of 5.0 to 5.5 and pink flowers from 6.0 and higher. Aluminum ions in the soil also affect the color change.

PIERIS JAPONICA

An excellent large broadleaf evergreen which is famous for its rich bronze to red and pink leaves, the new growth, which change to a dark green. White flowers bloom in the spring. Pretty flower buds grow at the tops of branches all winter until flowering. It needs partial shade. It is slow growing to 9 to 12 feet in height by 6 feet wide.

GARDENIA

August Beauty Gardenia - Grows 4 to 6' tall by 4 to 6' wide. Large double white flowers blossom from May to October. Excellent choice for fragrant flowers and handsome foliage. It needs protection from winter winds and cold. 

Mystery Gardenia - Large 4 to 5" diameter with double white flowers

HIBISCUS

Deciduous shrub or small tree growing 8 to 12 feet tall. It has large flowers in the summer. There are numerous varieties, some which are tropical and must be brought indoors during the winter.

OSMANTHUS

A large, dense, oval-rounded shrub which grows 15 to 20 feet tall, though it can be pruned to smaller heights. Very fragrant white flowers typically bloom in the fall but can also bloom is spring.

CAROLINA CHERRY LAUREL

Large evergreen shrub to a small tree. Grows 20 to 30 feet tall and is often used for screens and hedges. There are small white flowers in the spring.

DAPHNE ODORA

Small mounded evergreen shrub growing to 3 feet. This temperamental plant does best in shade. It has fragrant, rosy purple flowers in early spring.

LOROPETALUM

Irregularly rounded evergreen shrub, with dark red or green leaves, depending on the variety. Small fluorescent pink flowers appear in April. Grows 6 to 10 feet tall and wide.

SPIREA

Small deciduous shrub grows 2 to 3 feet high and 3 to 5 feet wide. Has soft, small leaves that are yellow to dark green, depending on the variety. Small white to deep pink flowers bloom during the summer months. must be grown in full sun. Popular Atlanta species include: Anthony Waterer Spirea, Bumald Spirea, Dolchica, Gold Flame Spirea , and Gold Mound Spirea.

QUINCE