Also called Desert Sumac, Correosa, and Agritos, this perennial, thorn-less shrub typically grows to 8 by 8 feet. It produces shiny, leathery leaves and small, white flowers that lead to reddish fruits. Little-Leaf Sumac can be used as a hedge plant, growing in partial shade and sandy or rocky soils, and requiring little water.
This fast-growing, colony-forming, deciduous shrub usually grows 3 to 10 feet tall with a single trunk and several leafy branches, its foliage turning a stunning bright red in early fall. It has male and female plants, individual plants producing either all male or female flowers, blooming late spring to mid-summer. On female shrubs the yellowish flowers are replaced by bunches of dark red berries that mature during the autumn and persist into winter. This plant can grow in full sun to shade, and in most dry soils, including sandy, loam, and clay.
Also known as Shining, Flameleaf, Mountain, Dwarf, Wing-rib, Black, or Upland Sumac, this deciduous shrub or small tree grows 11 to 18 feet tall. Its large, compound leaves with dark green leaflets turn flame red in autumn. It also produces tiny, greenish-yellow flowers in late spring to early summer and berry-like clusters in the fall. This ornamental plant spreads widely, growing in full sun, and in dry, rocky, or poor soils.
Also known as Aromatic Sumac, Lemon Sumac, and Polecat Bush, this aromatic, deciduous, perennial shrub grows 6 to 12 feet tall. It has glossy, blue-green, toothed leaves that turn red, purple, and yellow in the fall. Yellow catkin-like flowers bloom from April to June before growing into dark-red berries that feed birds and small mammals. It is deer resistant, and grows in full sun to shade, requiring a low amount of water. It grows in a variety of dry to moist soils, including sandy, rocky, loam, clay, and limestone soils.
This large, perennial shrub is native to Georgia and Alabama and grows 12 to 36 feet tall. It blooms later than other native azaleas, in July, producing red flowers. This plant grows well in partial shade and in moist, well-drained soil, and is of special value to pollinators like bumblebees.
Also called Pinxterbloom Azalea and Pinxterflower, this perennial, deciduous shrub grows 6 to 12 feet in height, with picturesque, horizontal branching. It produces large clusters of funnel-shaped, pink or white flowers appearing before or with the leaves. Pink Azalea grows best in partial shade, and in a variety of well-drained soils. The smooth, medium-green foliage turns dull yellow in the fall, and the tubular shape of the flowers is a good indicator that this plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
This perennial, deciduous azalea typically grows 6 to 8 feet tall and as wide in full sun and rich, moist, and well-drained soil. It produces yellow-orange to red, funnel-shaped flowers in mid-April as the leaves first begin to emerge. Growing in masses, Oconee Azalea does well as a hedge plant.
Catawba Rosebay, also known as Purple Rhododendron, Red Laurel, Mountain Rosebay, is a dense, evergreen shrub that grows 6 to 20 feet in height. It produces broad leaves measuring up to 5 inches long, pinkish or violet flowers that bloom in the spring, and dry capsule fruits that contain numerous small seeds. Growing on rocky slopes, this plant grows in partial shade and a variety of well-drained soil types.
Smooth Azalea, or Sweet Azalea, is a large, perennial shrub that grows 8 to 12 feet in height. It has glossy, deciduous leaves that turn deep red to purple in fall as well as fragrant, white or pink-tinged flowers. Growing in partial shade and moist, well-drained soils, this plant attracts bees and butterflies. However, note that all parts of this plant are toxic to humans and other animals if ingested, including the honey made from its flowers.
Also known as Prairie Coneflower and Thimbleflower, this is a leafy and branched, perennial plant that can reach 3 feet in height. It has long, leafless stalks that bear flower heads of 3 to 7 yellow to dark red, drooping rays. Drought tolerant, this plant does best in full sun and dry to moist, well-drained soils.
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