Contemporary Gardens

Chances are, when most people think of spring in Atlanta, they think of the purple haze of Redbud trees, the white fluttering of Dogwoods and the wall-to-wall rainbow of Azaleas. It’s a beautiful city in all seasons and spring may be the jewel in Atlanta’s horticultural crown.

There are a lot of less-considered plants for color and interest that can be incorporated into a yard or garden, some more unusual choices that might get a lingering gaze from passers-by or even the squeal of car brakes driving past a front yard.

Take, for example, Snowball Viburnum. Would this beauty not stop just about anyone in their tracks?

Ok, she’s a big girl – 12’ to even 20’ – but she can be pruned immediately after flowering to control size if you must. Better yet, prune this statuesque  stunner into a small tree! The flowers start out a lovely chartreuse green and grow larger and larger until they are a perfectly-white froth of bubbles. And the color usually lasts a month. What they lack in fragrance they more than make up for by providing beautiful blooms for cut arrangements inside. Pick a sunny spot for the most flowers.

While she quietly exits the show in May, you’ll certainly remember this life-of-the-party for a long time to come! We’d be glad to help find some room for one in your garden!