Flowering Shrubs for Southern Gardens: Azaleas, Camellias, Crape Myrtles & More

Two Big Categories

• Evergreen flowering: Azalea, Camellia, Gardenia, Loropetalum, Tea Olive, Banana Shrub, Abelia, Bottlebrush, Bridal Wreath, Ligustrum, Oleander.
• Deciduous flowering: Crape Myrtle, Hydrangea, New Zealand Tea, Mock Orange, Beautyberry, Pyracantha.

Azaleas: The Southern Signature

Evergreen groups: Formosa (large, 8 ft, mass bloom), Kurume (compact, 3–4 ft, 'Coral Bells', 'Snow'), Satsuki (late, 'Gumpo' dwarfs), Glenn Dale, Native (Flame, Piedmont).
Deciduous natives: Rhododendron austrinum (Florida Flame), R. canescens (Piedmont)—fragrant, yellow-orange-pink, 16 U.S. species.

Camellias: Fall-to-Spring Color

• Sasanqua (fall/early winter): Smaller leaves, profuse single/semi-double blooms, sun-tolerant.
• Japonica (winter/spring): Larger flowers, classic forms—'Alba Plena', 'Debutante', 'Professor Sargent', 'Peppermint'.

Crape Myrtles: Summer Fireworks + Winter Bark

Lagerstroemia hybrids (Japanese x indica) bloom 45–60 days, rebloom in fall. Color groups:

• Red: 'Tonto', 'Dynamite'
• White: 'Natchez', 'Acoma'
• Lavender: 'Muscogee', 'Catawba'
• Pink: 'Biloxi', 'Miami', 'Tuscarora', 'Sioux', 'Pink Velour'

Exfoliating bark (cinnamon, gray, taupe) adds winter interest. Sizes range 3–30 ft—check cultivar tag.

Hydrangeas: Two Stars

• Bigleaf (H. macrophylla): Mophead & lacecap. New pH-stable cultivars ('Endless Summer', 'BloomStruck') bloom on old & new wood.
• Oakleaf (H. quercifolia): Cone-shaped white panicles, stunning fall foliage, peeling bark. Tougher, more sun-tolerant.

Berry & Wildlife Shrubs

• Nandina (heavenly bamboo): Evergreen, white flowers → red berries persist winter. Dwarfs ('Firepower', 'Gulf Stream') for foundations.
• Mahonia: Spiny holly-like leaves, yellow spikes → blue-black berries. 'Soft Caress' is spineless.
• Beautyberry (Callicarpa): Arching wands of electric purple berries after leaf drop.
• Pyracantha (firethorn): Impenetrable thorns, white flowers → orange/red berries. 'Victory', 'Orange Berry'.

Quick Picks by Need

Need	Top Choices
Shade + bloom	Azalea, Camellia, Hydrangea, Mahonia
Full sun + heat	Crape Myrtle, Oleander, Bottlebrush, Abelia
Winter interest	Camellia, Nandina, Pyracantha, Beautyberry, Crape Myrtle bark
Fragrance	Gardenia, Tea Olive, Banana Shrub, Mock Orange, Sasanqua
Privacy hedge	Ligustrum, Oleander, Viburnum, Pyracantha, Camellia