Are you looking to liven up your landscaping? Look beyond the traditional rose bush and incorporate plants native to Georgia that will look beautiful and stay healthy longer. Southern trees, shrubs, and flowers are some of the most colorful on the planet. These tough plants weather hot, humid conditions nearly year round, yet stay alive enough to bloom again in the Spring during deep chills. Many of these native blossoms are easy and fun to plant in your own garden. Here are a few of our favorites.
Hibiscus
You’ll feel like your home is in Hawaii when you look out your window and see the big, bold flowers of a hibiscus. Dinner-plate-sized flowers adorn the plants through late summer and early fall and appear in shades of red, pink, and white. This plant is instantly recognizable.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist soil
Size: Up to 8 feet tall
Indian Pink
A favorite of many birds, an Indian Pink offers bright red flowers topped with yellow. You’ll want to plant this towards the front of your flower bed’s border and enjoy this native perennial’s natural showmanship all season long.
Growing Conditions: Part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 2 feet tall
Crested Iris
Nothing says southern charm quite like an Iris. It bears delicate blue, white, or deep purple flowers in the mid-spring. Even when not in bloom, the tiny clumps of foliage are a great textural contrast in an otherwise shady garden.
Growing Conditions: Part sun to shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 12 inches tall
Bee Balm
These whimsical-looking plants are actually native to our area, so they flourish with little aid from a busy gardener. Bee balms bloom with bright red flowers that look like it’s having a bad hair day all through the summer months. It’s a butterfly and hummingbird magnet! Plus, thanks to its special scent, it’s usually ignored by hungry deer or bunnies.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 4 feet tall
Helen’s Flower
You’ve probably seen a patch of Helen’s Flowers many times before, but never knew their name. This fall-blooming daisy comes in a beautiful range of warm hues, including fiery golds, reds, and oranges. This is an easy-to-grow perennial, so it’s great for one last shot of color at the end of the growing season.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to several feet tall
Royal Catchfly
If you’re a seasoned Georgia gardener who wants to try something a little more difficult this season, grow this tough little perennial to satisfy yourself and give the hummingbirds a reason to visit. It produces eye-popping red trumpet flowers in the mid- to late- Summer months, the perfect time for a bright garden.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil
Size: To 3 feet tall
There are many more types of gorgeous plants that will bloom radiantly in our climate. Try your hand at a few and keep adding more variety until your flower beds are the talk of Swainsboro!
While you’re busy planting, growing, and nurturing your new plants, don’t let pesky animals or an off-track pedestrian trample them. Keep your new garden safe by putting up a stylish, ornate fence around it. If you go with the right company and chose your favorite style, it will actually add to the aesthetics of your landscaping instead of taking away.
