Azaleas

• Azaleas (Rhododendron) are separated into three groups depending on when they bloom: early blooming, which bloom in February and March; middle blooming, which bloom from April through June; and late blooming, which bloom from July through September.
  
  Azaleas can be evergreen or deciduous and produce vibrant flowers in such colors as red, pink, orange and yellow or a combination of colors. The 2- to 3-inch blooms are either pointed, rounded, flat or tubular. These shrubs thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 to 8.
  
  

Dwarf Fothergilla

• The dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) bears long white stalks of aromatic white flowers in the spring months of April and May. This deciduous shrub grows up to 3 feet high and 4 feet wide and requires partial shade to full sunlight, acidic soil that drains well and moderate watering. It has dark, green foliage that appears in the late spring after the flowers appear.
  
  This flowering shrub thrives well planted with other May flowering shrubs like azaleas. It is hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
  
  

Virginia Sweet Spire

• Butterflies will flock to your Virginia sweet spire (Itea virginica) as it displays white, sweet smelling flowers in the early spring months. These May flowers grow in single stalks that droop downward. This deciduous shrub needs part shade to full sunlight and well-draining wet soil to flourish. It reaches an average height of 3 to 5 feet, and thrives in Zones 5 to 9.
  
  

Blackhaw Viburnum

• The blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) is a deciduous shrub that is native to eastern and north central North America. This shrub reaches a height of 12 to 15 feet and spans up to 12 feet. Its white, flat-topped clusters of flowers appear in May and last into the fall season.
  
  The blackhaw viburnum is a low maintenance shrub, which requires dry, well-draining soil and partial shade to full sun. It is hardy in Zones 3 to 9.