Landscape Plants for Georgia

Plant Hardiness Zones for Georgia

Vines have many uses in the landscape. They may be used to soften unattractive walls and fences or to create exciting shadow patterns on blank surfaces. Many are desirable because of their evergreen foliage. Some have attractive flowers and/or berries to brighten or accent a landscape feature or attract wildlife. Vines provide attractive screening and privacy when used on trellises and fences.

As a general rule, residential building lots are becoming smaller, and appropriate plant material must be selected if the valuable space is to be used to best advantage. This class of plants is very useful in small gardens where planting space is limited.

Ground covers are very versatile. In addition to sunny open locations, selected ground covers are especially useful on steep slopes and densely shaded areas where other plants are more difficult to establish and maintain. Many ground covers are excellent for preventing soil erosion; while others are helpful in carrying out design patterns. Evergreen ground covers are particularly useful in establishing both formal and informal designs in residential and public landscapes. Ground cover plants are usually more satisfactory in narrow planters than shrubs.

Ground cover usually ranges from a few inches to a foot or more in height. In the evergreen class, English ivy and common periwinkle have rich green foliage, making them particularly valuable in landscape design. Several of the recommended plants have attractive seasonal flowers. Certain ground covers may become invasive once they become established and require heavy maintenance to keep them in bounds. Ground covers are often cites as being low maintenance. However, they all require some maintenance such as weeding, pruning or fertilization to look their best.

'Blue Pacific'
BLUE PACIFIC JUNIPER

Liriope spicata
CREEPING LIRIOPE**

Ornamental grasses, long popular in certain European countries, are experiencing a rise in popularity among the southern gardeners. Grasses adapted to landscape plantings fall primarily into two categories: 1) the perennial grasses which with just a few exceptions, are large-growing, clump-type grasses; and 2) the annual grasses, utilized most often accents or drifts in the herbaceous border.

All of the grasses listed in this section are perennials except for two of the fountain grasses which are annuals. Except for the Blue Fescue (Festuca ovina glauca), a ground cover, all of the ornamental grasses are listed in this section.

Pampas grass is the most widely recognized ornamental grass. Pampas and the other selections in the ornamental group are used as specimen or accent plants, for contrast in shrub borders or herbaceous borders and for informal mass plantings.

All grasses die back to the ground in winter; consequently, all will need to be cut back to the ground before new growth emerges in spring. Despite this limitation, the taller-growing plants in this group make excellent seasonal screens and informal hedges. If properly handled, the flower or panicle portion of several selections make excellent material for dried arrangements.

Contemporary homes seldom have any discernible foundation, consequently fewer tall-growing shrubs are needed. More of the plants selected for the base of this type of residence should come from these small shrubs. Small shrubs are also very useful in guarding against overcrowding and overgrowth. Many plants in this size range are also desirable for their mass foliage and/or flowering effects. In addition, they are valuable in small lots where ground space is at a premium.

The 1- to 2-foot size shrubs are particularly well suited for raised planters. The smaller, compact growing species are often used to stabilize design lines in formal gardens and for edging walks and plant beds.

Plants in the upper range of this class that reach 4 or 5 feet in height form an effective background for perennials and annuals.

compact

Shrubs in this size range are most useful for hedges, screening and backgrounds, for large scale foundation plantings and large mass plantings. Some species have enough good qualities to serve as specimen plants.

A number of the better flowering and berry-producing shrubs fall within this medium size range. When planted in groups, some these flowering shrubs are particularly useful for seasonal highlights.

Many plants are grown for foliage rather than for flowers. Variations in foliage color range from glossy green to light gray. Be mindful that plants having variegated leaves are somewhat difficult to harmonize with other plants.