Sandy Springs Crier - April 9, 2026

ZIP code postal spotlight shines on Sandy Springs

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs residents will soon see their city’s name take center stage on their mail thanks to an update approved by the U.S. Postal Service.

City officials recently announced that the Postal Service agreed to designate Sandy Springs as the default mailing address for most ZIP codes within the city. The change affects seven ZIP codes — 30319, 30327, 30328, 30338, 30339, 30342 and 30350 — replacing “Atlanta” as the primary city name in mailing addresses.

ZIP code 30092 in the northeastern corner of Sandy Springs and into Norcross and Peachtree Corners in Gwinnett County will not be updated.

“On Dec. 1, 2025, we celebrated 20 years of incorporation as an independent, customer servicefocused city,” Mayor Rusty Paul said.

CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED

The U.S. Postal Service is changing the default mailing address from Atlanta to Sandy Springs in seven of the city’s eight ZIP codes.

annual Dino Egg

developmental disabilities.

Annual Dino Egg Hunt scheduled for Morgan Falls Overlook Park

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The sixth annual Dino Egg Hunt will be at Morgan Falls Overlook Park April 11.

The dinosaur-themed egg hunt is designed for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. Those participating will be in a sensoryconsiderate and accessible environment.

Pre-registration is required, and multiple egg hunt sessions will be available. To register online, go to spr.gs/dinoegghunt. No on-site registration will be accepted.

All attendees must be registered and specify their participation role during checkout.

Participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled time slot to allow for parking and check-in.

Each registered time slot includes:

Dino egg hunt – Custom eggs filled with collectible dinosaurs, candy, and toys.

Accessible egg hunt area – Designed for people who use wheelchairs.

Educational fossil dig – More than 70 different real fossils available for excavation. See ZIP, Page 8

Registration time slots are based on the age of the person with a disability. Siblings who wish to participate should register under the same age group and will egg hunt together regardless of age.

See HUNT, Page 8

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Tune-Up Projects

Kitchen Tune-Up

Paint Cabinets

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

New Backsplash

Cut Down 2-level Island

Bathroom Tune-Up

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

Enlarge Shower Shower Glass Shower Safety Full Remodel

Kitchen Remodel

Total Cabinet Replacement

Large Island

Optimize Cabinet / Appliance Locations

Open Concept –Move Walls

9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat

Showroom – Design Center 10591 Old Alabama Rd. Connector Alpharetta, GA 30022 (near Northpoint Mall)

Projects

Bathroom Remodel

New Larger Shower

Vanity Replacement –Cabs, Counter, Sink

Free Standing Tub

Floor Tile, Wall Tile

Plumbing Fixtures

Sandy Springs voters to decide on bid to form taxing districts

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs residents will vote in November on whether to give the city power to create special tax districts.

On March 25, the Georgia General Assembly approved legislation to put a referendum on the Nov. 3 general election ballot that will allow Sandy Springs voters to decide if they want the city to have redevelopment powers to create tax allocation districts.

Voters will vote yes or no on the referendum that will read:

“Shall the Act be approved which authorizes the City of Sandy Springs, Georgia, to exercise all redevelopment powers allowed under the 'Redevelopment Powers Law,' as it may be amended from time to time?"

TADs are designated areas where local governments freeze property values at their current level for purposes of maintaining roughly the same tax revenue they’re already paying. However, if property values in the district go up, any additional revenue from that increase is set aside and used to improve infra-

structure within its boundaries.

The base level property tax revenue, set at the outset, still goes to schools and local taxing authorities.

Local governments can also borrow against the TAD’s anticipated future property tax increases to pay for new sidewalks and roads as well as to help fund private development.

Redevelopment of the city’s North End along Roswell Road has been a priority for nearly a decade. A 2021 report that created conceptual plans for large properties in the North End — the Big Lots Center, Northridge Shopping Center, Loehmann’s Plaza and North River Shopping Center — recommended TADs to spur redevelopment in these areas.

Mayor Rusty Paul has voiced his support of a TAD to boost North End redevelopment. During his reelection campaign last year, he said a TAD could be used to fund infrastructure improvements such as stormwater maintenance, parks and trails in the North End. A TAD could also be used by the city to work with the development industry to encourage projects to add shops, restaurants and other amenities to the North End, he said.

LANEIKA

Atlanta

City readies for April 25 launch of eco-stewardship program

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The City of Sandy Springs is launching the 2026 Sandy Springs EcoStewardship Program, a handson environmental education and stewardship initiative designed to engage residents in restoring and protecting local ecosystems.

The program’s third session will run from April 25 through Dec. 18, meeting one Saturday each month. It will be led by master naturalist Kathryn Kolb of EcoAddendum.

The course combines fieldbased learning with practical conservation work to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to contribute to urban forest and greenspace health throughout Sandy Springs.

Participants will learn to identify native plants and understand local ecosystems, take part in invasive species removal and forest restoration efforts and gain ecological management experience through volunteer fieldwork.

Educational sessions will

take place at sites including the Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospital greenspace and the future site of Old Riverside Park. Fieldwork will extend to key natural areas, offering a variety of landscapes where participants can apply their skills directly to conservation efforts.

“We’re proud to offer this unique opportunity for residents to deepen their connection to nature and make a measurable impact on our community’s greenspaces,” said Willie Park, urban forest coordinator with the City of Sandy Springs. “As ecostewards, participants help shape the future of our urban forest and play a vital role in promoting environmental sustainability across the city.”

The Eco-Stewardship Program is free and open to adults and older teens. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged. To learn more or apply, visit spr. gs/ecosteward.

— Dyana Bagby

Sandy Springs to present summer concerts

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Live music will fill the City Springs District this summer with two concert series presented by the city.

City Green Live and Concerts by the Springs are free, family-friendly events in the heart of Sandy Springs.

City Green Live will feature nationally touring artists performing on select Fridays. Pop-up bars will be available throughout the venue. Residents and visitors may bring lawn chairs and blankets.

The City Green Live schedule

• May 22 — Sister Hazel

• June 12 — Starship featuring Mickey Thomas

• July 17 — Boyce Avenue

• Aug. 21 — Patrick Droney

Concerts by the Springs will feature a variety of music on select Sundays at the Heritage Amphitheatre. Guests may bring a picnic.

The Concerts by the Springs schedule

• May 3 — Brother Maven

• June 7 — Canyonland featuring Michelle Malone

• July 12 — Radio 80s Band

• Aug. 2 — Cat Ridgeway & The Tourists

• Sept. 6 — R&B, Inc.

Learn more at SandySpringsGA.gov/Concerts.

— Dyana Bagby

City Parks Department sets mother-son dance at Performing Arts Center

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department will host its sixth annual mother-son dance May 1 in the Studio Theater at the Performing Arts Center.

The dance will be from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. and is for sons and their moms or mother figures. The evening will feature dancing, games, dinner, refreshments and door prizes. Each boy will also receive a souvenir photo and a goody bag.

Attire is business casual to semi-formal. Admission is $40 per mother–son, with an additional $10 for each extra son. Pre-registration is required.

Guests can reserve a private table for a group for $200. Each reserved table includes admission for up to eight guests and guarantees the group a dedicated table for the entire evening. One person should purchase the reserved table on behalf of the group. After purchase, they will be asked to provide the names of all attendees.

A limited number of reserved tables are available, so early registration is encouraged. Individual tickets are not required for guests included in a reserved table purchase.

To register, visit the Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks registration site.

Scholarships are available. For more information, email recreation@sandyspringsga.gov.

— Dyana Bagby

DRIVEWAYS

PERIMETER ADULT LEARNING & SERVICES

SPRING 2026

MONDAYS – APRIL 13 – JUNE 1, 2026

Dunwoody Baptist Church 1445 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338

10:00am – 11:00am

INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVORIAL ECONOMICS – Shai Robkin introduces students to key concepts designed to help people and organizations make better decisions and avoid common pitfalls that result from instinctive human behaviors. Behavioral economists start by asking how humans actually behave in the real world. The course covers basic theories of evolutionary psychology, automatic vs. controlled thinking, heuristics (simple procedures that people use unconsciously to reach decisions on difficult questions), prospect theory and inaccurate perceptions of risk, the role of chance, public policy and choice architecture, and when and when not to trust experts.

10:00am – 11:00am

HOLLYWOOD THE RISE AND FALL OF JEWISH DOMINANCE

– Rabbi Scott and Karen Colbert will show, through film and discussion how immigrant Jewish entrepreneurs built the American film industry and shaped U.S. culture, identity and mythology through the Hollywood studio system; and how the “Jewish moguls’” obsession with acceptance led to the end of their dominance in the industry.

10:00am – 3:00pm

OPEN MAH JONGG – Bring your own Mah Jongg card and come play. There is no instructor for this weekly session. Play is bases on National Mah Jongg league rules.

11:00 am – 12:30 pm

MAH JONGG (NEW) – Rhea Berger will guide in playing with the 2026 Mah Jongg card. Become familiar with the new card and learn strategies for winning. Class size is limited to 10 attendees. Prerequisite:6+ months playing Mah Jongg. This is NOT a beginner’s class. Play is based on National Mah Jongg league rules.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm

EVOLUTION 101 – Clive Gillon presents an introduction to the Theory of Evolution Topics include “What is Evolution?”, “How Evolution Works,” “Natural Selection,” “Human Evolution” and “Evolution & Viruses.” We will also learn about Charles Darwin and the infamous Darwin Awards.

11:30 am- 12:30 pm

DEMONSTRATIONS/STRIKES/PROTESTS/REBELLIONS

– Betsy Jones will cover the Haitian Rebellion of 1798 (the first time an enslaved people rose up and won their freedom); the Lawrenceville Strike of 1912 when thousands of immigrants from dozens of countries went on strike demanding better pay and better working conditions ---- first time a Union defeated management; the 1899 Newsboy strike; Gandhi’s Salt March; and the French Revolution as taught from the ColdPlay song Viva La Vita (on the way to the guillotine -- King Louis supposedly gave a speech sharing his love for the French people hoping they would understand what he had tried to do for them...the speech was drowned out by the raucous crowd but enough was heard that 200 some years later it made a great song).

Tuition is $60 for 2 classes.

Dunwoody teen dominates the clay

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Londyn McCord knew before she started elementary school that tennis was her calling.

Twelve years later, she has entered the International Tennis Federation’s World Tennis Junior Rankings Top 200.

Recovering from an elbow injury that came after a nine-month period of climbing nearly 800 spots into the top 300 of the rankings took as much mental work as physical.

McCord, 16, reflected on the injury period and what she gained from the experience.

“I learned that, number one, I’m not just tennis,” she said. “Tennis doesn’t define me, and there will be an after tennis. I need to find another hobby because I’m not going to be playing tennis seriously for my whole life.”

When she was ready to return to competition, the rankings had adjusted to her absence, and McCord fell out of the top 1,000 players.

But, she came back with a fire, jumping even more in the rankings in a fraction of the time. In eight weeks since returning, she has achieved a career-high ranking at No. 192 as of March 23. The streak has reaffirmed her Blue Chip 5-star status.

McCord described the process of ascending the rankings. She’s also No. 1 in Georgia.

“I would only check in with my mom maybe once a month or so, because I wasn’t really paying attention to the ranking,” she said. “I was just focused on my development physically and mentally, and the results just came.”

The youngest of parents Terry and Trish’s three daughters and two sons, Londyn is ranked the No. 3 recruit in the Southeast region and the No. 10 recruit in the country.

Her oldest sister attends Troy University studying sports management and law, but she has been able to get away to take a few trips with Londyn to attend tennis matches or tournaments.

Londyn has attended online school via Institute for Champions & Leaders (ICL) Academy since sixth grade. Many of her online classmates are top performers in acting, dance or sports like tennis, golf, figure skating or volleyball.

Londyn attended Dunwoody Elementary School and Peachtree Middle before starting at ICL. The McCord family relocated to Dunwoody to be in the same neighborhood as Londyn’s former trainer, Fred Haynes.

Londyn’s four favorite tennis players are Roger Federer, Carlos Alcaraz, Serena Williams and Aryna Sabalenka. Being able to meet athletes

MCCORD FAMILY/PROVIDED

Dunwoody resident Londyn McCord, 16, competes in international tennis competitions and has proven her ability to perform against tough opponents. McCord and her father Terry have been in South America for several weeks to enter several tournaments in singles and doubles play.

like Sabalenka, Tiafoe and Coco Gauff has made Londyn realize her dream is closer than she thought.

Londyn reflected on earlier years, while she was in kindergarten watching Williams play on television.

“She is who I want to be,” Londyn recalled thinking to herself. “I want to make people feel like this when they see me play.”

She said her goal to be on the pro tour has been in the back of her mind as long as she can remember playing tennis.

Londyn says she has an open mind about her next steps, college or otherwise.

She said her primary goal right now is to break the top 100 in the ITF junior rankings to secure direct entry into the four Junior Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon and the U.S., French and Australian Open.

Dad Terry was described as a gentle giant. He reminisced on how far his daughter has come since first picking up a racket.

“At 4 years old, she was just hitting the ball in the air, and to go from where she is now, it’s been a real journey,” he said. “It’s been probably one of the best experiences of my life. She’s competing at a high level, at such an early age to see the dedication and hard work that she put in, to see the way she’s

developed, it just means a lot.”

Two months after Londyn picked up tennis, the McCord family got in contact with trainer Fred Haynes.

Fred’s daughter Angela was a professional tennis player on the WTA tour. He raised his children in Compton, California, at times training alongside their neighbors, the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena.

Angela’s last professional match was at Wimbledon against her childhood friend, Serena.

Fred says Londyn reminded him of Serena as a child. He remarked of Londyn’s success that he is “happy but not surprised,” and also said we haven’t seen her peak just yet.

“Londyn was one of the strongest players that I’ve ever coached, I’ve never coached anyone like her, she’s just on another level physical-wise,” he said. “I just knew that she would be special. Londyn has what you can’t teach.”

The McCords became family to Fred, living just two blocks apart for the nearly 10 years Londyn would spend five days a week training with him.

Mom Trish said Londyn’s weapons with her forehand and serve are what set her apart as a player, but tennis has given her daughter more than just technical skills with a racket.

“The opportunity that tennis has given Londyn in terms of becoming a young lady off the court,” she said. “Preparing her for life outside of tennis, being disciplined, being able to make decisions on her own. That’s what the sport is teaching her and exposing her to other cultures.”

Trish said an especially meaningful and “eye-opening” part of the journey has been watching the transition from seeing her daughter take photos with famous athletes, to now being approached by fans for autographs.

Londyn said the journey has been long, full of hard work, but it has been worth it.

“Looking back, all I can see is constant growth and that motivates me every single day to keep pushing, no matter if I’m having a bad day or a bad week,” she said. “It just keeps me pushing because I can go back and see how much I’ve grown, and it’s just constant motivation for me.”

Off the court, Londyn enjoys cooking and baking, watching gothic romance movies, shopping and spending time with family when she gets the chance to have some free time. She collects vinyl records, and her favorite movie is “Shrek 2.”

Londyn will return to the United States in mid-April for some rest after several weeks competing in South America.

Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 5, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

CAN WE TALK?

1. Pakistani language. Spa. Winter pear.

2. Fellow. Celt’s language of Ireland & Scotland. Theater presentation.

3. Language of the Western Pyrenees. Dutch cheese. Cheerless.

4. Choppers. One of the languages of India. Be quiet!

5. Priest of the East. Little green man. Language of Sri Lanka & India.

6. Prima donna. Mid-East language. Sell.

7. Language of Seoul. Mexican treat. Triton.

1 Pakistani language. Spa. Winter pear

2. Fellow. Celt’s language of Ireland & Scotland. Theater presentation

How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

3. Language of the Western Pyrenees Dutch cheese. Cheerless. 4. Choppers. One of the Languages of India. Be quiet!

5. Priest of the East. Little green man. Language of Sri Lanka and India.

6. Prima donna. Mid-East language. Sell

7. Language of Seoul. Mexican treat. Triton

How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.

Sandy Springs schedules TSPLOST public forums

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The City of Sandy Springs is holding open houses in April for residents to learn more about proposed Transportation Special Purpose Local Sales Tax projects.

Public input on future transportation improvements will be used to prioritize projects for the Nov. 3 TSPLOST referendum, according to the city.

The open houses will be held:

• April 8 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and another from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1 Galambos Way.

• April 14 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Highland Elementary School, 520 Greenland Road NE.

• April 16 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the North Fulton Government Service Center, 7741 Roswell Road NE.

The city must present the lists

of potential projects for TSPLOST to Fulton County by June. If authorized, residents will vote whether to approve the referendum on Nov. 3.

TSPLOST is a 0.75 percent (3/4 of a cent) sales tax used for transportation projects such as building bridges, roadway projects, pedestrian and bike improvements. The generated revenue will be distributed based on

jurisdictional population.

Fulton County voters, including those in Sandy Springs, originally approved TSPLOST in November 2016. Voters in 2021approved extending TSPLOST for five years.

More information is available at sandyspringsga.gov/tsplost.

— Dyana Bagby

‘Night Swim’ artists talk slated for Spruill Gallery

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The public is invited to Spruill Gallery on April 19 to meet and hear from artists Hannah Ehrlich and Thomas Flynn II, whose work is featured in the “Night Swim” exhibition.

The free artist talk will be from 2-3 p.m. The gallery is at 4681 AshfordDunwoody Road.

“Night Swim” explores cycles of growth and decay through the artists’ memories and perceptions of personal history.

ZIP:

Continued from Page 1

“Since our founding, we’ve consistently advocated for recognition from the Postal Service, an important

Flynn uses a color palette inspired by his chronic aura migraines to create multilayered sculptural paintings influenced by the forest, which serves as a metaphor for self-perception. Ehrlich’s textile work examines memory and fear of loss. Her organic forms are built and then preserved under acrylic and latex paint, symbolizing a fossilization of thoughts and emotions experienced during the creative process.

step to strengthen economic development, enhance public safety, ensure proper sales tax allocation and reinforce our community identity. I’m thrilled that the Postal Service has approved our request,” he said. “This is a major win for our residents and businesses who

“I think visitors to Spruill Gallery will be moved by the way Hannah and Thomas’ works occupy the visual space while contributing to the commonalities of the human experience — growth, decay, loss and memory,” gallery Director Shannon Morris said.

Ehrlich has exhibited at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Georgia, the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art and the Swan

proudly call Sandy Springs home.”

The Postal Service will update its Address Management System in the coming weeks, meaning databases, shipping systems and online forms will begin listing Sandy Springs instead of Atlanta.

Do residents need to change

Hunt:

Continued from Page 1

Dino play yard – Dinosaur statues for exploration and photo opportunities.

Meet and greet – A life-size prehistoric guest appearance.

Participants in the fossil dig will uncover real fossils and take home three of their favorites, making the

Coach House Gallery. Flynn has recently shown work at ArtFields and the Swan Coach House Gallery and presented a 50-work solo exhibition, “To Catch the Sun Dreaming,” at Vaughn Gallery in Austin, Texas.

“Night Swim” will be on view through April 24. The gallery is open from noon-4 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m.6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

— Dyana Bagby

their addresses? No, people who live in Sandy Springs don’t need to do anything, Carter Long, spokesperson for the city, told Appen Media.

Residents and businesses may still use Atlanta if they prefer, and mail delivery will not be affected, she said.

event fun and educational.

To ensure a positive experience for people who prefer personal space, spots are limited for each session, and the event will be monitored for safety.

Event schedule

• 11 a.m. – Ages 4–6 and siblings.

• 11:45 a.m . – Ages 7–9 and siblings.

• 12:30 p.m. – Ages 10–13 and siblings.

• 1:15 p.m. – Ages 14–adult.

— Dyana Bagby

Amy Miles was first to deliver mail in Sandy Springs

The first mail carrier in Sandy Springs was Amy Miles. She delivered the mail to the “town’s busy business area,” walking a three-hour route beginning in 1959. There was no mail delivery to homes yet, although some neighbors had requested delivery. The Sandy Springs Postmaster was Benjamin Woodruff, and Miles was a three-year employee before she became the first postal carrier. (Atlanta Journal, Oct. 30, 1959, “The Postman is a Lady!”)

Amy Miles was originally from Detroit, Michigan, born in 1920 as Amy Reece. She married Fred Miles, who I wrote about in May 2025. He was a World War II veteran, the son of Nancy and Fred Miles, Sr. His family moved from Atlanta to the corner of Dalrymple and Brandon Mill Road in 1915. The property became known as Lost Corners and is now Lost Corners Preserve. In 1959, the couple lived at 166 Hilderbrand Ave.

The route through Sandy Springs business district was easy for Amy, who

stayed active taking care of two young boys aged 10 and 13. She also helped with her son’s Boy Scout troops. Both boys attended Hammond School in Sandy Springs.

Miles enthusiastically began the job with a postal carrier cap on her head and a leather satchel on her shoulder. She became interested in stamps after she became a postal carrier, starting her own collection.

The post office in Sandy Springs began with the local name Oak Grove, switching to Burdal in 1924. Burdal

was a combination of the names Burdett and Dalrymple. Burdett’s Store was home to the early post office. (Images of America: Sandy Springs, Kimberly M. Brigance and Morris V. Moore)

The next post office was inside Dr. Griffith’s pharmacy at the southeast corner of Mt. Vernon and Roswell Road. Lester Castleberry was postmaster four years, and Eugene Scott took over for part of 1933. George Adolphus was postmaster between 1934 and 1955, followed by Benjamin Woodruff. The

post office name was officially changed from Burdal to Sandy Springs in 1941. (National Archives, U. S. Appointment of Postmasters)

The National Archives lists the Sandy Springs post office as discontinued in 1964, but it reemerges with a permanent building at 6097 Boylston Drive. Today, the city’s post office is in the City Walk Sandy Springs Shopping Center.

Sadly, Amy Miles died in 1962. Fred Miles died in 1974, and they are both buried at Arlington Memorial Cemetery in Sandy Springs.

The first woman mail carrier in Georgia was Bessie E. Winter from Brooks County. She delivered mail on rural routes of the county until 1935. Originally from the Norcross and Chamblee areas of Georgia, she was the daughter of Jeremiah Winter, namesake of Winters Chapel United Methodist Church and Winters Chapel Road. (Valdosta Daily Times, Aug. 3, 1961, obituary)

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

Finding seasonal scents in the garden

We often think the enjoyment of our garden is a sensory experience for our eyes. The colors, shapes and textures of the flowers and leaves, as well as the additional visual interest of pollinators and birds, are how we envision gardens. But there is a sensory experience that we might not think about, although sometimes it attracts our attention when we least expect it. That is scent. We are fortunate here in the Atlanta area that our climate allows us to incorporate plants with scents during every season to complement the visual experience. Here are a few options, season by season, to incorporate into your garden and how to layer them into the landscape.

Winter

• Daphne (Daphne odora) is a real treat to the senses. It flowers in January and February when the weather is dreary and cold and we gardeners are dreaming about spring. It has very fragrant, white to pink flower clusters. Daphne is an evergreen woody shrub that grows slowly in an area that is part sun, part shade.

• Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) is botanically related to Daphne. While it is deciduous, it is also is a winter bloomer with very fragrant flowers. Before the leaves fall off in the fall, the buds form and look like a white ball. From January to February the flowers begin to open and are a tight cluster of white tubular flowers with yellow centers.

DEATH NOTICES

Stephen Bridgman, age 87, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 29, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Patrick Brown, age 85, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 25, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Gail Connell, age 71, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 27, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Spring

As the garden awakens from winter, spring is one of the most aromatic seasons and offers numerous options for the garden.

• Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is an intensely fragrant, evergreen vine with white flowers, opening in late spring. It is excellent on trellises, arbors, or fences. Jasmine prefers four hours of morning sun.

• Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) is a fragrant spring flowering bulb that is planted in the fall. It grows to a height of less than 12”, and the densely clustered flowers come in white, pink and purple.

Wolfgang Fechtel, age 89, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 27, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Peggy Fell, age 77, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 24, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Mary Fink, age 89, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 29, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

About the author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Joan Fiore, a Master Gardener since 2020 and Johns Creek resident. She is a lifelong gardener and studied horticulture at NC State University. Her favorite plants are perennials, as well as plants that surprise us with a scent that enhances our experience in the garden.

Perfect to plant along a sidewalk.

• Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) is a deciduous ornamental shrub with fragrant, dark red flowers that blooms in April and May and prefers full sun. It is deer resistant

• There are several native deciduous azaleas that are found in our area of Georgia. Piedmont Azalea (Rhododendron canescens) features white to pink flowers and a muskysweet, honeysuckle fragrance. Alabama Azalea (Rhododendron alabamense) has white blooms with a yellow blotch and a lemony-spice fragrance. Florida Flame Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum) sports fragrant yellow to orange flowers. Typically, these plants prefer a woodland environment.

Summer

We spend more time outside in the warmest season, so the scents in the garden can make our senses come alive.

• Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) comes in many sizes, everything from low growing varieties, perfect for the front of a border or along a sidewalk or pathway, to varieties that are taller and can be used

Jacqueline Heiser, age 88, of Johns Creek, GA passed away on March 30, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Gary Patterson, age 69, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 25, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Edna Santoro, age 96, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 29, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

as a backdrop or foundation planting. All are evergreen and have white flowers that come in a variety of shapes with a recognizable aroma.

• Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) This plant was named because it was believed that it decreases libido. It is a deciduous, aromatic shrub in the mint family. In the summer it produces showy, blue lavender flower spikes that attract butterflies and pollinators. It is grown either as a small tree or large shrub.

• Roses (Rosa species) are very much a part of the summer landscape, and many varieties have a beautiful scent. Hybrid tea roses are often fragrant. Other fragrant roses that do well in Georgia include ‘Belinda’s Dream’, ‘Teasing Georgia’ and ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ to name a few.

• Lavender (Lavandula species) can be grown in Georgia even though their preference is for heat and low humidity. Some newer varieties (‘Phenomenal’ and ‘Sensational’) can withstand our humidity. Lavender wants full sun and well-draining soil.

Fall

• Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) is a vigorous vine with masses of small, white fragrant flowers in the fall. Perfect on a trellis, arbor or fence.

• Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) From late summer into fall this plant produces fragrant white/pink tinged bell-shaped blooms. This semi-evergreen shrub grows 3 to 6 ft tall and wide.

Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans) blooms several times during the year, when you least expect it. The insignificant white cluster flowers of this plant are very aromatic. The shrub itself is very useful in the landscape as a hedge or backdrop with its dark green leathery evergreen leaves.

Happy Gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://appenmedia.com/opinion/ columists/garden buzz/.

Save the date for NFMG’s 2026 signature events: Garden Faire on April 11th. Learn more at nfmg.net.

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