Azaleas grow best where they receive afternoon shade and prosper in acidic soil dosed with a layer of mulch. Just before they bloom, azaleas should be fertilized. During the spring, in the South, viburnums require shade in the afternoon to prevent their leaf tips from burning. In the North, however, most species can be grown in full sun. Available in a range of sizes, viburnums produce clusters of sweetly scented white flowers.
Spirea is a popular shrub that blooms in spring and requires very little care and maintenance.
Most species have white flowers and are hardy in Zones 1 through 4, but at least four types of spirea produce pink flowers. The old-fashioned fragrant lilac is a real beauty that has been popular and steadily improved upon for decades. Today more than two dozen species and 500 varieties are grown in the United States, and at least eight different colors are available. Dazzling white flowers are also produced by fothergilla, a deciduous shrub related to witch hazel. Trees Among trees, a favorite is the dogwood.