Georgia Climate Snapshot
Understanding your local climate is key to creating a thriving, low-maintenance garden
Hardiness Zones
6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Annual Rainfall
45-55 inches annually
Frost Window
November-March (shorter in south Georgia)
Water Notes
High summer humidity; occasional drought restrictions
Popular Landscaping Styles
Discover design styles perfectly suited to Georgia's unique climate and landscape
Classic design with azaleas, camellias, and magnolias
Key Features:
- •Spring-blooming azaleas
- •Camellia hedges
- •Magnolia and dogwood trees
- •Brick or gravel pathways
Layered planting under tree canopy with hostas and ferns
Key Features:
- •Hostas and hellebores
- •Native ferns
- •Coral bells and astilbe
- •Moss-lined pathways
Naturalized design with Southeastern native plants
Key Features:
- •Native understory trees
- •Wildflower drifts
- •Pine straw mulch
- •Wildlife habitat layers
Contemporary take on Southern garden with native plants
Key Features:
- •Clean-lined planting beds
- •Native ornamental grasses
- •Architectural evergreens
- •Outdoor living integration
Recommended Plant Palettes
Native and adapted plants that thrive in Georgia's climate
Azalea
Rhododendron spp.
Spring blooms in pink, white, coral; prefers acidic soil
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
White summer flowers; burgundy fall foliage
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
Pink-purple spring flowers before leaves
Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
Evergreen tree with huge fragrant white flowers
Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica
Summer blooms in many colors; excellent bark
Confederate Jasmine
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Fragrant white flowers; evergreen vine
Loropetalum
Loropetalum chinense
Pink or white fringe flowers; burgundy foliage varieties
Lantana
Lantana camara
Multicolored flower clusters; attracts butterflies
Hosta
Hosta spp.
Bold foliage in countless varieties
Autumn Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora
Coppery new growth; evergreen
Lenten Rose
Helleborus orientalis
Early spring flowers; evergreen foliage
Japanese Forest Grass
Hakonechloa macra
Cascading golden foliage in shade
Seasonal Garden Checklist
Your year-round guide to maintaining a beautiful Georgia garden
Plant cool-season vegetables and pansies
Mulch beds with pine straw or hardwood
Prune summer-blooming shrubs
Fertilize azaleas and camellias
Divide perennials and refresh mulch
Monitor for and treat common pests
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about landscaping in Georgia
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