Gene B. Bussell: Lots of Hydrangeas
The blossoms of French hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) fill the yards of the South. True pass-alongs, they are a necessity for any garden. There are plenty of selections to choose from. If you want repeat blooms, try 'All Summer Beauty,' 'Endless Summer,' or 'Penny Mac.' The classic blue flowers of 'Generale Vicomtesse de Vibraye' are great for drying. For white flowers, choose 'Lanarth White' or 'Madame Emile Mouillere.' If you are in a tight spot or you garden in containers, try the diminutive 'Pia.' A surprise is 'Sun Goddess,' which has chartreuse (almost yellow) foliage that will brighten any landscape. Whichever one you choose, be careful, as hydrangeas can be addictive.

These selections and many more can be purchased from Wilkerson Mill Gardens, (770) 463- 2400 or www.hydrangea.com.

Ellen Ruoff Riley: Easy Perennials
For the inexperienced gardener, using the words "easy" and "perennial" in the same sentence sounds like risky business. But choose wisely, and you'll discover a number of selections that come back quite happily and bloom consistently with minimal effort and encouragement. Remember this: The secret is meeting a few basic needs. Adequate sun and well-drained soil afford optimum growing conditions for most perennials.

With that said, which ones are the easiest? The rudbeckias, often called black-eyed Susans, lead the pack. Then there are the daisies. Ox-eye (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) blooms first, followed by Shasta (C. maximum), and then the late-summer Nippon (C. nipponicum). Add purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) and summer phlox (Phlox paniculata) to the mix, and you have some easy, unbeatable choices.