Southern Garden Favorites – Shrubs

Southern Gardenia
One of my favorite gardening books is The Southern Gardeners Book of Lists. In this book there are lists of all kinds – trees that flower, shrubs that do well in shade, perennials with a long blooming time and on and on.

This week, I’m making my own lists of what I would have in the garden of my dreams. Today, my list is my favorite shrubs. I would have shrubs that have long blooming times and a few that have exquisite fragrance. I would have some that have berries for the birds and I would have to have some that have beautiful Fall color. Here is my list:

  1. Gardenia – This would be a must. I love the fragrance. It is a little strong for some but it has always been one of my favorites. I get this from my mother. When I was growing up, on Mother’s Day, we always wore gardenia corsages. The florist would dye them red to signify that our mother was living. With their creamy white flowers, their dark green shiny leaves and wonderful fragrance, they definitely have a prized place in my dream garden.
  2. Hydrangea – I love their ruffly, round blooms. They always look cheerful. They bloom for a long time. The blooms dry well so you can bring them in and enjoy their beauty in the dead of winter. A Southern favorite.
  3. Forsythia – A Spring-time favorite with its beautiful yellow blooms, this one has great Fall color as well. You know Spring has arrived when the forsythia is blooming!
  4. Butterfly Bush – Colorful blooms all summer long and into the Fall, the blooms are also great for cutting. The blooms attract butterflies as well as bees (watch out!). Beautiful!
  5. Honeysuckle – Another one with a great fragrance that brings back great childhood memories. I remember as kids, we would pick the blooms and get the one little drop of the honey nectar out of little white flowers. Lovely!
  6. Crepe Myrtle – Sometimes these are grown as trees as well as shrubs. I love crepe myrtles because they hold up to the steamy hot heat of a Southern Summer so well. You can always depend on crepe myrtles to be blooming when it is 100 degrees outside in the shade with blooms from bright shocking pinks to cool whites. Definitely a must in my dream garden.

I could go on and on but I’ll stop with these. What shrubs would be in your dream garden?

Today’s Lagniappe: Old Fashioned Lemon Bars
Something lovely to enjoy while you are dreaming of your garden.

* 2 sticks (8 ounces) butter
* 2 cups flour
* 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
* 4 beaten eggs
* 2 cups sugar
* 4 tablespoons flour
* 1/4 cup lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel
* sifted confectioners’ sugar

Preparation:
Heat oven to 325°. Blend butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar. Pat into ungreased 13x9x2-inch pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. For filling, blend together eggs, sugar, 4 tablespoons flour, lemon juice, and lemon peel. Pour over first layer. Return to oven and bake at 325° for 20 minutes. Loosen around edges, cut into bars and sift confectioners’ sugar over the top while warm.


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2 responses to “Southern Garden Favorites – Shrubs”

  1. […] this week I have been planning my Southern dream garden, my beautiful shrubs, my passalong plants and my […]

  2. Missymomof3 Avatar
    Missymomof3

    Christi that is my list too! I would like to add roses too because they are just so beautiful! Vibernums smell wonderful as well.

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