Traditional Southern Garden Plants

Hydrangeas

• Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs known for large masses of showy flowers. These plants are fast-growing, versatile shrubs that are functional as single specimens, in mass plantings or as container plants in paved areas and urban gardens. Generally, hydrangeas grow to heights of 4 to 15 feet depending on the variety. Bigleaf hydrangeas have blue or pink flowers that can change color based on the pH of the soil. Oakleaf, peegee and climbing hydrangeas have clusters of white flowers. The peegee hydrangea can grow as a tree as well.

Azaleas

• The azalea is a popular Southern shrub available in numerous varieties, with flower colors ranging from white to red, pink to peachy red, magenta to salmon. Many varieties of azalea are deciduous, but some varieties that are popular in landscaped areas are evergreen. Azaleas have funnel-shaped flowers that bloom in spring, and their leaves have hairs on the surface. These shrubs can grow 4 to 15 feet tall.

Camellias

• Camellias are large, evergreen shrubs that grow to 3 to 20 feet tall, depending on the variety. They have broad leaves, and large flowers that are pink, white or red and bloom from fall to spring. Native to Asia, camellias are popular in Southern gardens as ornamental shrubs. Well-kept specimens grow slowly but can live many years.

Daffodils

• The daffodil is a spring-blooming bulb plant. The flowers are usually yellow, cream or gold, or a combination thereof. Most daffodils grow to 1 foot tall and have clusters of fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. Popular Southern daffodil varieties include jonquil, tazetta and poeticus, each having a variety of cultivars. Wild daffodils are also native to Southern states.

Gardenias

• Gardenias are flowering, evergreen shrubs that have large, showy white flowers that are very fragrant. These plants are difficult to grow and require frequent attention in the garden. The gardenia flowers bloom from May through July. Because of their beauty and fragrance, gardenias are popular along pathways and around patios and lounging areas of the garden.

Crape Myrtle

• Crape myrtles can grow as shrubs and as trees, and range in height from 10 to 40 feet. These plants have a medium to fast growth rate and bloom in the summer months. Crape myrtle flowers come in shades of purple, red, white and pink, and begin to bloom in early summer and last throughout the season. These plants have fall and winter fruit that resembles small brown pods. The bark of a crape myrtle is an attractive feature in Southern gardens when it peels away from the trunk, exposing fresh brown to gray wood.