There are many varieties, including early, mid and late season bloomers that provide color from November through February. Osmanthus fragrans, commonly known as Sweet Osmanthus, provides fragrant flowers in the winter also. The Oriental magnolias begin flowering in February. They are a welcome sight with their large pink, lavender and purple blossoms. The red buckeye, a native shrub, puts forth red flower spikes in native and naturalistic plantings.
Spring sees azaleas in full bloom along the Gulf Coast.
As soon as azalea flowers begin to fade, some late spring bloomers take over. The gardenias, with their white blossoms and unmatched fragrance, are very popular. Meanwhile, bottlebrush begins to come into full flower. The hydrangeas, in various colors, take over in late spring. Varieties of the French Hydrangea, also known as Hydrangea macrophylla or House Hydrangea, are the most popular.