You might also use something in the middle in between the annuals an the hollies. Maybe a grouping of ornamental grass or something to contrast with the hollies in the background.

How about salmon-colored salvia in back, and white Wave petunias in front. Easy to grow and will bloom all summer if watered. These plants are very common and you should be able to find them at any nursery.

If you wanna see what will work very well in your area, then go to the UGA trial gardens. There, professor Allen Armitage trials all sorts of annual plants for their performance. The most successful are marketed at various nurseries as "Athens Select".
They have top "picks" on the web pagehttp://ugatrial.hort.uga.edu/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.main/index.htm, and also dates of open houses if you would like a tour and ask http://ugatrial.hort.uga.edu/ with Al, Dr. A, Armi or whatever anyone else is calling him at the moment. Splendid man, will honestly tell you what works and doesn't work.

GGG

Since you're in Athens you should have a stroll on the UGA campus, They'll have some fantastic displays.

Full sun in Athens,huh? I know of no coral colored cacti.

It is looking as though we will be in for a hot and very dry summer ahead if current weather trends continue. With watering bans in effect in all counties I would consider some very drought tolerant species. Look to Euphorbias and Sedums, all the colors and elevations you want are there, unless you want to water every night.

I personally find the annual vinca to be very dependable and easy to grow. It will be sold in major stores like Home Depot starting in May (it is one of the last annuals to hit the stores). It is available in white, pink, purple, etc.

I bought a flat of vinca last week at HD ...love it, never need to water after it's established. It reseeds nicely for the following year too. I underplant knockouts with it and I find the white vinca is usually the first to sell out.

Thanks girlgroupgirl for telling about the trial garden open house. I just wrote Allan, tried to cc Dr. Dirr, but that was returned. Hung out with the guys when my daughter was getting her degree in horticulture. They are so much fun!

Shay, you'll develop a green thumb! Just takes practice. Ask around about the great nurseries in the Athens area - you sure don't have to settle for the big boxes.

Rosie in Sugar Hill