Georgia Magazine - June 2024 - 20

GEORGIA Gardens
Continued from page 18
" Even better is to create a slightly depressed area to capture
stormwater runoff from sidewalks or driveways, " Calabria says.
Annuals for sun
For nonstop summer color, annuals are a great choice, and
many are easy to grow from seed. When adding annual plants,
wait until the threat of frost has passed.
Depending on where you live in Georgia, the frost-free date
is usually around April 15.
* Angelonia angustifolia: This plant produces spikes of flowers
in white, pink, purple and blue. It tolerates heat, humidity and
some drought. The 'Super' strain will grow 2 to 3 feet tall, the
size of a small shrub, while the 'Angelface' variety can reach a
height of 18 to 30 inches.
* Calibrachoa: Called million bells, this shrub looks like a
miniature petunia. It comes in many colors and grows to
6 to12 inches tall. They are ideal for hot and sunny locations
and produce masses of flowers for months.
* Cosmos bipinnatus: These flowers come in many different
varieties with blooms 2 to 3 inches wide in white, yellow,
pink, rose, orange, lavender and crimson. The blooms sit atop
feathery foliage and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
* Tithonia rotundifolia: Known as the Mexican sunflower,
this annual makes a statement with its 3- to 4-inch red-orange
flowers on 4- to 6-foot-tall stems. Its brilliant summer color
attracts monarch and swallowtail butterflies.
Annuals for shade
Have some shaded areas you want to brighten up? These
annuals can bring color to even the darkest corners. In shaded
gardens, foliage often takes precedence over flowers.
* Asparagus setaceus: These plants with arching stems and
needle-like foliage have an appearance similar to ferns. This
tender plant will die back to the ground if it is hit hard with
frost.
* Begonia: Many varieties are grown for their foliage and others
for their flowers, but all are low-effort, low-light favorites.
* Hypoestes: Commonly referred to as the polka-dot plant
for its green-and-pink freckled leaves, these plants lend
eye-catching color and pattern to garden spaces.
* Torenia: Called the wishbone flower, this plant features
blooms that resemble those of a snapdragon. This plant
doesn't need deadheading, tolerates heat and humidity and
loves the shade.
Perennials for sun
Perennials, with their enduring presence and seasonal
blooms, offer a diverse palette of botanicals for gardeners to
enjoy year after year. While perennials generally require less
fertilization than annuals, a light application of balanced
fertilizer in early spring can provide a nutrient boost for growth.
* Amsonia hubrichtii: The Arkansas bluestar has willowy
green foliage and pale-blue flowers in spring. In fall, the
foliage can turn golden before it drops.
20 Georgia Magazine June 2024
In September, this Atlanta garden
overflows with Japanese anemone.
* Baptisia: Known as false indigo, this hardy native and its
hybrids produce spikes of soft yellow flowers that rise 2 to
3 feet above blue-green foliage.
* Iris sibirica: The Japanese iris provides an upright green
accent with beautiful spring flowers in white, blue, purple
and yellow.
* Rudbeckia hirta: The black-eyed Susan reliably produces
flowers from late summer until frost and thrives in heat and
humidity.
Perennials for shade
Perennials for shade are specifically suited to low-light
conditions. They often have larger leaves and vibrant foliage to
maximize light absorption.
* Acorus: 'Ogon' has fanlike leaves that look golden but are
chartreuse with a cream variegation. It is great for an
evergreen groundcover and tolerates moist or dry soils.
* Chrysogonum virginianum: Green-and-gold is a creeper
that produces bright yellow flowers in spring. While it prefers
part shade, it will tolerate the sun if it gets consistent moisture
and even grows in deep shade.
* Leucojum vernum: 'Summer snowflake' is a hardy bulb with
large clumps of green foliage that appear in early spring with
white, bell-shaped flowers.
* Polygonatum odoratum variegatum: Variegated Solomon's
seal has green leaves edged in creamy white. These plants
bloom with clusters of two or more small, bell-shaped flowers
that dangle beneath the stems.
Erica Glasener is a horticulturist and writer living in
Atlanta.
Before establishing a sidewalk garden, it is essential to check
local ordinances, regulations and guidelines governing
landscaping in public spaces. Some municipalities have specific
rules regarding sidewalk gardens, including plant height
restrictions, required permits and prohibited plant species.
Georgia Magazine - June 2024

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