Just one more thing about lespedezas. There’s one in this photo just starting to emerge in front of the azalea, still short enough not to block my view of the azalea when it’s blooming. Now I bet you all know what happens to the azalea next - it holds onto its ugly dead flowers for a good 6 weeks before finally dropping then, after which it just looks boring the rest of the year. But here’s a solution. The lower photo shows the same spot in September with the lespesdeza now tall and blooming in front of it. I love this plant combo.
Now I don’t know about where you live but here in the Azalea Belt, my occasional dissing of azaleas doesn’t win me any friends. My town’s nickname is "Azalea City" - oh, dear. Many residents have nothing but azaleas, even in full sun. So I’m constantly pushing alternative shrubs (or companions to azaleas) like pieris, nandina and leucothoe - my favorite shrubs for the shade. For sunny spots I suggest a combination of evergreens and such flowering beauties as spirea, weigela, and small viburnums. Come on, people, let’s at least diversify.
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