May in Highlands is when the shrubs take over.
Perennials are stretching and thinking about it. Annuals are still a bit risky.
But the shrubs? They’ve been planning this moment all year, and suddenly they’re in bloom, acting like they own the place. And in many ways, they do. Driving through neighborhoods and seeing these beauties brings me happiness.
One of the most useful lessons in mountain gardening is simple: not everything that grows here truly thrives here. Our elevation, acidic soil, steady rainfall, and occasional late cold snap make Highlands a wonderful place to garden—if you work with it, not against it. That’s where native shrubs come in.
Take Mountain Laurel, Kalmia latifolia, for example. As you drive around, you’ve probably noticed the pale pink and white blooms opening. The buds look like tiny folded umbrellas before bursting into intricate flowers. Mountain Laurel doesn’t need pampering. It understands our soil, slopes, and weather patterns. Given good drainage and a bit of space, it settles in for the long haul.
Then there are native azaleas–like the Flame Azalea, Rhododendron calendulaceum. Be still my heart. Unlike some of their showier cousins, these have a looser, more natural shape. The colors range from soft yellow to deep orange, and when they catch the afternoon light, they almost glow. Perfect for woodland edges and dappled shade, they’re right at home here.
Debby Hall
And if you’d like something with more than one season of interest, consider Serviceberry, Amelanchier arborea. This one is new to me, and I’m learning through my garden club about plants that thrive here. In early spring, it’s covered in delicate white blossoms. By summer, birds enjoy the berries. In fall, the foliage turns warm red-gold. It’s technically a small tree but behaves beautifully in a layered landscape and fits easily into our mountain setting.
What all these plants share is that they belong. They aren’t fighting the soil or shocked by a cool May evening. They’ve adapted to this place over time. There’s something reassuring about planting shrubs that know where they are.
That doesn’t mean you can’t experiment–gardening is half optimism. But if you’re looking for structure, reliability, and beauty that returns year after year, native shrubs are a steady choice.
May is a good month to notice what’s thriving around you. Chances are, the plants putting on the most confident show didn’t just arrive last season. They’ve been quietly establishing themselves for years.
If you’re inspired to add something new, the annual plant sale hosted by the Highlands Mountain Garden Club takes place over Memorial Day weekend. It’s a wonderful tradition and a great place to find plants that thrive on the Plateau, along with friendly advice from experienced gardeners. Please look for me–I’d love to meet you! I’m not an expert, still learning, but I can introduce you to those who are.
Happy gardening!
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