| I live in Atlanta Georgia in an area in which no outdoor watering is allowed and rain is uncertain. Can you recommend some shrubs and flowering plants that are hardy enough to withstand our drought but can also stand the rains when they do come? Thanks, Bobbie |
| I think you'll have the most success if you use plants native to Georgia. These plants have already adjusted to growing with only natural rainfall. Some to consider include: SHRUBS Piedmont Azalea (Rhododendron canescens) Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) Sweetspire (Itea virginica) Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) Anise (Illicium floridanum, I. parviflorum) Doghobble (Leucothoe spp.) Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) Fothergilla (Fothergilla spp.) Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) Inkberry (Ilex glabra) Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) Sumac (Rhus spp.) Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) Devilʼs Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa) New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) PERENNIALS FOR SUN Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.) Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.) Coneflower (Echinacea spp.) Blue Star (Amsonia cilliata) False Indigo (Baptisia spp.) Phlox (Phlox paniculata or P. subulata) Butterfly Weed (Asclepias spp.) Purple Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) Joe pye Weed (Eupatorium spp.) Ironweed (Vernonia spp.) Swamp Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) Blazing Star (Liatris spp.) Asters (Aster spp.) Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) VINES Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens or G. rankinii) American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) Sumac (Rhus spp.) Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) Devilʼs Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa) New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) Hope this list is helpful! Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) D |
