Currently in Georgia, several native and ornamental plants are in bloom as of mid-May:
- Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), a native shrub and the emblem of the Georgia Native Plant Society, is blooming now
- Rhododendrons including varieties like 'Gomer Waterer' and 'Golden Harbinger' are flowering
- Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia) and hybrid magnolias such as Evergreen Magnolia Hybrid and saucer magnolias are in bloom
- Various azaleas, including Hybrid Deciduous Azalea, Kelsey’s Flame Azalea, and Satsuki Azalea, are flowering in gardens such as the Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Other shrubs and trees in bloom include Cornus ammomum (Silky Dogwood), Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw Viburnum), Actaea pachypoda (Dolls Eyes), and Asimina triloba (Paw Paw)
- Flowering trees currently observed in the Atlanta and North Georgia area include Eastern Redbuds, Bradford/Callery Pears, Cherry Blossoms (including Kwanzan Cherry), Japanese Magnolias, and Sweet Gum trees
- Additional blooming plants at Atlanta Botanical Garden include Witch Alder, Creeping Mazus, Aphrodite Hybrid Sweetshrub, Skinner’s Banana Shrub, White Texas Star hibiscus, and various orchids
This period marks a rich bloom season in Georgia, with many native and cultivated species displaying flowers, especially in botanical gardens and natural areas
