The Ultimate Guide to Southern Gardens

The South’s Favorite Flowers

Click each flower for more
Azalea
Azalea
Rhododendron

Their appearance at Augusta National during the Masters makes these shrubs famous worldwide.

Camellia
Camellia
Camellia japonica

Elegant, often symmetrical beauties put on a pink, red, or white show come winter.

Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica

Layered pink, purple, or white petals wrinkle and wave like crepe paper.

Daffodil
Daffodil
Narcissus

The sunny trumpeters of springtime bloom golden every year.

Dahlia
Dahlia
Dahlia pinnata

This cool-air lover comes in every color imaginable and is fond of mountain gardens and fall weather.

Dogwood
Dogwood
Cornus florida

Understated elegance blooms in the four white “petals” that are technically leaves.

Gardenia
Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides

Delicate, waxy white gardenia flowers emit an intoxicating, complex perfume.

Hibiscus
Hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

The tropical bloomer draws hummingbirds, butterflies, and cheer-seeking admirers.

Hydrangea
Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla

Blousy puffballs of petals burst out in shades of purple, blue, cream, and lime green.

Iris
Iris
Iris ser. Hexagonae

Blue, white, or purple Louisiana irises call Southern swamps and coastlines their native home.

Lily
Lily
Crinum x powellii

Lilies are one huge, happy family that includes the crinum, which hangs out all over the South.

Magnolia
Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora

The queen of flowers, her petals unfurl to reveal a huge white bloom and wallop of a scent.

Rose
Rose
Rosa noisettaeana

A classic, old roses grow for generations across gardens and parks the world over.

Star Jasmine
Star Jasmine
Trachelospermum jasminoides

Tiny white flowers pinwheel in great numbers across mailboxes, fences, and arbors.

Wisteria
Wisteria
Wisteria frutescens

Grape-like clusters of purple flowers drape from vines, a stunning springtime spectacle.

Illustrations by Gabriela Gomez-Misserian


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