Here are some of my favorite shrubs. I hope that you will try a few of them. Most of them are very easy to grow, and well worth any effort on your part. They all do fine in the south, and some even prefer our climate to northern climates. I think you will find several of them that interest you.

I am trying to find more graphics for the samples that I have here to make the page more visually appealing, so check back later and I'll try to have them for you.Some of these pictures are my own creations. I've tried to make them as accurate as I can to give you a general idea of what these plants look like.

Abelia-a small deciduous shrub with small, trumpet shaped white or pink fragrant flowers. The leaves are medium green, although variegated forms are available.

Flowering time-late summer.
Light-a protected area with full sun.
Soil-not particular.
Pointers-a good plant to use where few plants are blooming in the late summer.

Althea-a deciduous shrub of 4-10 ft. Rather slender in growth habit. Fluffy, large flowers ranging in color from white, to lilac, to pink.

Flowering time-late summer.
Light-full sun.
Soil-well drained.
Pointers-Can be planted in large pots for a patio. Great as a columnar hedge.

Azaleas-evergreen shrub with small green leaves. Available in many different colors ranging from whites, yellows, pinks, lilacs, and reds and in different sizes. Also deciduous varieties available.

Flowering time-spring.
Light-shade or dappled shade.
Soil-moist, well drained soil.
Pointers-prune only right after the flowers fade.

Buddleia (butterfly bush)- deciduous shrub with green, lance shaped leaves. 12-15 feet in height.Long panicles of small white, purple, or pink flowers.

Flowering time-late summer.
Light-needs full sun.
Soil-fairly light soil with good drainage.
Pointers-plant while dormant. Absolutely essential that it does not stand in water.

Camellia-evergreen tree or shrub with glossy, thick leaves. Flowers are large and can be either single or double in shades of white, pink and red.

Flowering time-winter and spring.
Light-half shade is best.
Soil-light and loamy.
Pointers-never let roots dry out or sit in water.

Crape Myrtle-a deciduous shrub or tree. Flowers in large, lance shaped pannicles. The small individual flowers are crinkled like tissue paper and the colors are lilac, pink, red, and white.

Flowering time-summer.
Light-full sun.
Soil-not particular, but does well with organic matter in soil.
Pointers-needs plenty of sunlight to ripen the wood and to keep the leaves from mildewing.

Dogwood-deciduous shrub or small tree.10-15 feet with oval leaves.Flowers are greenish and insignificant, but the bracts that surround the flower can be in showy colors such as red,pink, or white.

Flowering time-spring.
Light-dappled shade.
Soil-moist soil with decaying leaves is ideal.
Pointers-never transplant a "wild"dogwood. They are very likely to die when moved from their native surroundings.Always use propogated species from nurseries.

Double File Viburnum-deciduous shrub 6-9 ft. wide and high. The flowers (white) sit on top of the horizontal branches, looking like a covering of snow. Red fruits turn black.

Flowering time-spring-summer.
Light-sun or half shade.
Soil-moist garden soil.
Pointers-good for hedges.

Firethorn(Pyracantha)-a thorny evergreen shrub with white flowers followed by red-orange clusters of berries which are very dramatic. The fruits are also loved by birds during the autumn and winter months.

Flowering time-early summer.
Light-full sun or half shade.
Soil-likes heavy, fertile soil.
Pointers-this plant is hard to transplant, so handle the root ball with care.

Flowering Almond-a small, deciduous tree of 12-15 ft.  with a beautiful early spring display of very light pink flowers before the leaves appear.

Flowering time- early spring.
Light-full sun.
Soil-well drained light garden soil.

Flowering Crabapple-a small, deciduous tree to about 20 ft. with red or pink flowers and red fruits that resemble cherries. The leaves are a red-purple color.

Flowering time-late spring.
Light-full sun or half shade (in hot southern areas).
Soil-loamy and well drained soil.
Pointers-this tree does very well along walkways and beside decks if you don't mind the falling fruits.

Gardenia-evergreen shrub of medium size 4-6 ft. White, very fragrant large flowers of a cup shape.

Flowering time-summer.
Light-full sun to partial shade.
Soil-not particular.
Pointers-good where a privacy fence is needed.

Hibiscus-evergreen shrub in areas with no frost.6ft. with pointed leaves and huge (5inches or more) flowers in colors ranging from white to red.

Flowering time-mid-summer.
Light-full sun.
Soil-loamy, rich soil.
Pointers-can be grown in pots and wintered over indoors.

Japanese Magnolia-deciduous shrub, around 30ft. Large tulip shaped flowers are available in white or pink.

Flowering time-spring.
Light-full sun or half shade.
Soil-tolerant of most soils, but no lime.

Japanese Snowball-deciduous shrub 8-10 ft. with showy white balls of flowers.

Flowering time-early summer.
Light-full sun to half shade.
Soil-moist garden soil.

Japanese Spiraea-a deciduous shrub to 5 ft. with lance shaped leaves and showy clusters of pink, white or red flowers.

Flowering time-summer.
Light-full sun.
Soil-moist loamy soil.
Pointers-should be pruned in the spring to keep an attractive shape and to have a good show of flowers.

Japanese Quince- a deciduous shrub to 6 ft. or more with single flowers that appear before the leaves. Flowers are pink, red, or white with yellow stamens. Yellow fruits.

Flowering time-spring.
Light-sun.
Soil-moist, preferably heavy soil.
Pointers-watch for scale disease.

Lantana-deciduous shrub 2-4 ft. Flowers are in circular clusters with variable color combinations mostly containing yellows, pinks, and reds. Flowers continuously during the growing season and loves the sun.

Flowering time-summer-autumn.
Light-full sun to part shade.
Soil-well drained.
Pointers-good for a short, deciduous hedge. Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bumblebees. Should be pruned back severely (almost to the ground) after the leaves have fallen in the early winter.Birds also eat the berries throughout the growing season.

Mock Orange-deciduous shrub reaching 12 ft. tall. Very fragrant white flowers.

Flowering time-summer
Light-full sun or half shade.
Soil-loamy soil is ideal.
Pointers-flowers on old wood.

Oakleaf Hydrangea-large deciduous shrub, 6 ft. or higher with a similar spread. Large, oak type leaves. Long pannicles of white flowers which fade to a soft pink.

Flowering time-summer.
Light-half shade.
Soil-not particular, but prefers moist conditions.
Pointers-give this specimen plenty of room to grow.

Oleander-evergreen shrub with leathery, lance shaped green leaves. Red, pink, peach, yellow, and white flowers in single or double forms. Very tropical looking.

Flowering time-summer.
Light-full sun.
Soil-not particular.
Pointers-watch kids and pets around this one; all parts of it are poisonous.

Rose "floribunda"-a low growing bedding rose of about 2 ft., much hardier than hybrid teas.Very little to no spraying is required. It is covered with clusters of flowers throughout the growing season, the flowers usually occurring in flushes.The flowers are not affected by the weather.

Flowering time-summer through early autumn. Possibly longer in the deep south.
Light-full sun.
Soil-heavy loam.
Pointers-these make great deciduous,low hedges. They are beautiful along driveways and along highways.

Weigela-a deciduous shrub 6 ft. and spreading. Oval green leaves with pink, red, or white flowers.

Flowering time-summer.
Light-sun or light shade
Soil-moist, well drained garden soil.