Plants in the Georgia Mountains

Of the several small mountain ranges in Georgia, the Blue Ridge Mountains are by far the largest. Reaching 1,600 to 4,700 feet and named for the soft blue haze that seems to surround their peaks, the Blue Ridge Mountains make up the southernmost tip of the Appalachian mountain chain, and the mountains boast one of the most diverse and abundant ecologies, with rain falls averaging 80 inches a year. Plants in the Georgia mountains fall in growing zones 6 or 7. Summers are mild and winters don't drop too much below freezing.

This perennial shrub can grow up to 8 feet tall and wide. Flame azalea thrives in light shade, and blooms in vibrant shades of red, apricot, orange and yellow. The fragrant flowers appear in the early spring to early summer. Flame azalea is deciduous, and prefers well-drained, acidic soil, making it a perfect shrub to plant under a fir or pine tree.

Black walnut trees are commonly used commercially for the beautiful coloring and durability of the wood, as well as for the fruit. This tree grows to 150 feet tall, and thrives in the high moisture and deep soil of the Georgia mountains. This deciduous tree bears male flowers called catkins in the early spring, and inconspicuous female flowers that later mature into walnuts.

Reaching only 30 feet tall, the dogwood is a natural understory tree, or a tree that grows under larger trees. This deciduous tree adds year-round interest to any landscape. Beautiful, large pink or white flowers bloom in the spring followed by lush green leaves. Once the vibrant autumn leaves fall, the shape and red-tinted color of the branches add winter appeal. Dogwood grows in partial or full sun.

This large, lush fern grows to 6 feet tall in partial or full shade. It thrives in the moist woods of the Georgia mountains. Cinnamon fern is named for the small central fronds that mature into a warm brown and resemble cinnamon sticks. Many small animals native to the Georgia mountains use the cinnamon fern for shelter.

This evergreen ginger is a beautiful ground cover, growing only to 8 to 12 inches. This is not culinary ginger, although it does have a ginger-like flavor, and the Native Americans did use the rhizomes of this plant to flavor food. Triangular, dark blue-green leaves are striated with silver. It grows in partial to full shade, and thrives in the rich soil under tree cover.