N othing says spring in Atlanta quite like azaleas. The fragrant blooms, ranging in color from white to pink to fiery orange, first appear in early March, transforming the Southern landscape into a blaze of color.
For Atlanta gardeners, the burst of azalea blooms can seem all too quick, leaving behind a humdrum bush of green leaves. But with some thoughtful planting, it’s possible to enjoy azaleas all the way into deep summer.
“Our native azaleas are deciduous and bloom at different times,” says Charles Andrews, a member and former president of the Atlanta-based Azalea Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. “If you choose your species correctly, you can have blooms from April into September.”…