Take the guess out of choose plant for your Georgia landscape . These proved performers win awards for their beauty and success in Peach State garden .
When plant professionals offer to sieve through 100 of plants , you could be sure they ’re motivate by passion . For the Georgia Plant Selections Committee , that passion is all about identifying the safe landscape painting plants for Georgia gardens . Formed in 1993 , this nonprofit organization is comprised of nurserymen , bloom growers , garden center retailer , landscape professional person , botanical garden professional person , and faculty from the University of Georgia . The all - volunteer commission is committed to raise the use of plants that are proven performers in Georgia . They bet at six categories to take Georgia Gold Medal Plants : annuals , perennials , shrub , trees , vine or groundcovers , and native plants . This invaluable tool for home gardener takes the guessing out of buying plants .
So which plants clear their stamp of approval ? Peruse some of the committee ’s picks , ranging from Georgia bushes to Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to ground cover , and settle which single to add to your garden .
Arkansas bluestar(Amsonia hubrectii)- Zones 4 - 10
When hoi polloi envision fall people of color , they do n’t necessarily call up about perennial plants . Arkansas bluestar , however , is an absolute must - have for a vibrant fall garden . The whole plant turns a inscrutable golden color that seems to glow in the evenfall sun . A ripe Arkansas bluestar will be about 3 feet high and wide with a soft , wispy appearance , thanks to long stem with very slight parting . visible radiation risque , star - shape prime blossom in spring and last for many weeks . Once established , this is a drouth - tolerant , deer - insubordinate , low - maintenance increase to your Georgia garden . In 2011 , the Perennial Plant Association choseAmsonia hubrectiias the Perennial Plant of the Year , another outstanding endorsement .
butterfly stroke weed(Asclepias tuberosa)- zone 3 - 9
This orange butterfly magnet is anything but a Mary Jane . Despite its name , this blossom repeated works is not aggressive or invasive — in fact , it ’s vitally important as a food generator for Monarch butterfly stroke caterpillars and a go - to nectar spot for hummingbird and other butterflies . The butterfly stroke smoke like ironical , sunny surface area , so it will be especially happy in your full - Sunday recurrent border garden . Reaching 2 to 4 feet tall , it ’s idealistic for the midsection of the borderline or engraft with cosmetic grasses in a established orbit . To accentuate its stunning chromaticity , pair it with plants in contrasting colors , like regal coneflower , blue salvia , or Iranian shield . The brilliant orange blossoms shine in a colourful summer bouquet .
recurrent plumbago(Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)- geographical zone 5 - 9
This hardworking ground cover deserves more admiration than it receives . Plumbago is just 8 to 12 inch marvellous and will spread to be 1 to 2 metrical unit blanket . Although you could grow it in Lord’s Day or partial shade , a niggling protection from the harsh late - afternoon sun will help it flourish . Plumbago begins to flower in late bounce and continue to flower on and off until fall . Consider planting it alongside early on - spring incandescent lamp , since plumbago leafs out just in time to cover up their spent foliage . It see beautiful in front of shrubs as part of a border or spilling over wall .
' Rozanne ' geranium - Zones 5 - 8
No Georgia garden should ever be without the hardy ' Rozanne ' geranium . This purple - dark perennial is heralded as an exceptional performing artist , even in the unrelenting summertime passion and humidity of the Southeast . ' Rozanne ' will mold a rounded pitcher’s mound about 18 to 20 inches tall and wide-cut . Each blossom emerge in shades of blue refer with reddish blue and a blanched meat . Use ' Rozanne ' as part of a repeated border to waver colors together — its hue blends remarkably well with others . If your geraniums becomes lanky in midsummer , give them a trimness , and you ’ll be rewarded with another floral video display . The foliation turn an attractive bite red come fall .
Swamp hibiscus(Hibiscus coccineus)- zone 6 - 11
This sun - loving perennial turn up to 10 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide , with tropic raspberry - red flush as great as your hand that flush from later springiness until hoarfrost . As a native of the southeastern United States , the swamp hibiscus is well - suited to Georgia gardens . In fact , its name provides a clew about its preferred environment : rich , damp grease , ideally near a pond or other water feature . However , swampland hibiscus is an adaptable bush that will grow in most garden grime , as long as there ’s adequate moisture . Cutting back the branches in late wintertime will keep your shrub youthful and vigorous .
Bottlebrush buckeye(Aesculus parviflora)-Zones 4 - 8
Few , if any , summertime - flowering shrubs can rival this beauty , which is aboriginal from South Carolina all the way to Florida . In June and July , the bottlebrush buckeye is cover with long flowering stems , at least a foot tall , composed of individual white bloom that bear straight up like candela and attract hummingbirds and butterflies . This shade - loving shrub is often plant under a canopy of pine and other subtlety trees , where the clean blooming will stand out even more . It ’s adaptable but prefers slightly acidic stain , rich in organic subject . Pruning is seldom require .
Purple beautyberry(Callicarpa dichotoma)- district 5 - 8
The slender arching branches of this shrub are covered with deep lavender berries in September and October . " It ’s one of the most graceful and elegant bush in the fall landscape painting , " says Michael Dirr , professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia . For an delicately colourful combining , plant it with oakleaf hydrangea , which have leaves that turn shades of inscrutable purpleness and ruby at the same time these purple berries mature . Reaching just 3 to 4 feet in altitude and width , thepurple beautyberryis an ideal mid - size transition from taller trees and bush to perennials . Plant in full sun or light shadowiness in moist , well - drained soil .
Paperbush(Edgeworthia chrysantha)- zone 7 - 10
Paperbush is a pleasant surprise in the cold-blooded stretch of the yr . It will grace your garden with beautiful blooms in the middle of winter and give way off a divine redolence . Topping out at 4 to 6 feet in top and width , the raw chocolate - colour branch are crowned with smashed clump of flower at the tips . The blanched blossoms with lucky yellowed plaza hang down like little bells , insisting you stop to smell them . Paperbush prefers percolate shade and moist , well - drained soil . Note : It ’s also sometimes calledEdgeworthia papyrifera .
' Alice ' oakleaf hydrangea ( Hydrangea quercifolia ) - Zones 5 - 9
The ' Alice ' cultivar is a distinct improvement on this mintage of hydrangea . For one , the flowers are larger , ranging from 10 to 14 inches long . The heyday time is long , too , up to four to six workweek before grow pink and in conclusion fading to tan . jog the peak for a stunning addition to your floral arrangements . Even the washed-out flowers are ornamental and stand out smartly against the burgundy foliage of fall and the barque of wintertime . ' Alice ' can grow to be 12 feet grandiloquent and wide , so give this bush some room . Morning Sunday and good afternoon nicety along with moist , well - drained ground are best .
Fragrant teatime olive(Osmanthus fragrant)- geographical zone 7 - 10
Fragrant afternoon tea Olea europaea blooms in fall when most other plant are wander down for the winter . The tiny white flower are often cover in the foliage , but you ’ll know when they ’re in bloom because of the delightful fragrance that fulfil the melodic phrase around them . This is a large shrub , growing 20 to 30 feet marvellous , and is great as the backcloth for a molding or as an evergreen plant hedging . Several cultivar are useable with icteric and apricot - color flowers . If you exist in the mountain in the upper reaches of Zones 6 - 7,Osmanthusxfortuneiwith its holly - like leaves is a better choice .
American hornbeam(Carpinus caroliniana)- Zones 3 - 9
American hornbeam is an incredibly various tree , hit 30 to 40 feet in summit . Although it can adapt to a wide range of condition , it prefers moist soil and part to full tint . Often call musclewood , this plant ’s exceedingly hard wood was used by early settlers for trough and small hired hand tools . Today , American hornbeam is recommended as a midsize ellipse to round tree for urban garden . blossom appear in bound as ornamental catkins hanging down along the branch . The disconsolate fleeceable foliage turns yellow , orange , and cerise in the descent .
American yellowwood(Cladrastis kentukea)- Zones 4 - 8
This native Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is magnificent in late spring when it ’s in full bloom . White , wisteria - like , fragrant bloom pay heed from 10- to 14 - inch halt enveloping the entire tree . This is a medium - size tree , 30 - 50 foot magniloquent with a rounded crown , ideal for urban gardens . foliation groupings of seven or eight leaflets call on golden yellowed in the fall . The origin of American yellowwood tree go quite recondite , so it is drought - tolerant once established and will put up other plants develop under the canopy . Plant in full sun for the most abundant floral exhibit .
Lavender Twist Cercis canadensis ( Cercis canadensis’Covey ' ) - Zones 4 - 9
Lavender winding is a weeping physique of the much - loved native redbud . This pocket-size , behind - grow tree will eventually make up to 15 feet . Cascading subdivision form an umbrella of branches , some even advert the ground . In early spring , even before the leaf unfurls , multitudes of pink bud and bloom line the smooth gray branches . Soon after , the inwardness - shape leaf appears . Full sunlight to fond tone and moist , well - run out soil suits this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree intimately .
' Little Gem ' magnolia ( Magnolia grandiflora)- Zones 7 - 9
' Little Gem ' offers the grace of majestic southerly magnolia in a little size . develop just 20 ft tall and 10 foot wide , thismagnolia treefeatures gloomy green leafage that shin like polished leather , while the fond brown reverse add a layer of interest . The leaf is prized for flowered arrangements and holiday decorating . Fragrant blank , cup - form bloom bloom on and off all season long . Plant in full to part Lord’s Day in moist , acidic grime , and check that the tree will be protect from wintertime air current and sun in northerly areas .
' Yoshino ' Japanese cedar ( Cryptomeria japonica ) - Zones 5 - 9
Only of late did Japanese cedars gain wide acceptance in North American gardens , once young cultivars became available . ' Yoshino ' grows 20 to 30 feet marvellous , but only 5 to 6 feet wide , bringing a strong upright component to the landscape painting . This is a fast grower , ideal for hedges . In the summertime , the needles are a glistening depressed - greenness , change to plum tree purple in winter . While ' Yoshino ' was pick out for its superior winter daring , some protective cover from winter winds is still worthy . It will uprise in either sun or shade .
Athena ' Emer I ' elmwood ( Ulmus parvifolia)- Zones 4 - 9
Athena is a classic peach with a compact globe cast . This tree will mature 30 to 40 foot tall and finally up to 50 metrical foot wide . The foliage is shiny dark green , almost black , and the leaf bend bronze before falling . The bark provides a large deal of winter interest , exfoliating to display a arras of gray , green , orangish , and chocolate-brown tone . Best of all , Athena is try out to be resistant to Dutch elm disease .
