I grew up in the Deep South—Alabama, to be exact. I just want to admit that it carries a lot of baggage. I could write volumes on this subject that I’ve spent a lifetime processing. But for today, I want to focus on one of the less controversial aspects of Southern traditions. Ask any true Southern Belle if she dares to wear white shoes after Labor Day, and she’ll clutch her pearls, gasping in horror. “Nevah!” will be her emphatic reply.

However, the real controversy revolves around when one should begin to wear her summer whites. Is one permitted to wear a white dress for Easter, or is it for Memorial Day? The Postmodern New South woman will scoff at any such idea. “Who made up that rule anyway? Sugar, you can wear white any day of the year you choose! You can even wear white sandals as you sit by the fire on Christmas Eve!”

My granny was a traditional Southerner, but I’d never call her a Southern Belle. She was a poor farmer’s wife who raised seven children in North Alabama. However, she followed the Memorial Day rule for wearing white clothing. And she loved white flowers, especially when they were shining in the moonlight.

The top featured photo is my back garden under this past week’s full moon. White-flowered shrubs light up the dark corners under a silvery moon. Granny would have loved to see that.

My Easter lilies never bloom in my garden for Resurrection Sunday. I guess that only happens in hot-house nurseries to boost sales. But I can depend on them blooming in May. Technically, that’s still Eastertide, according to the Christian liturgical calendar.

In the center of the top photo, you can see my oakleaf hydrangea. The huge white panicles make a great showing for many weeks. The creamy white fades to a greenish color with tinges of pink, lasting all summer. Unless I prune them, they’ll stay until the first frost turns them to a crispy brown.

I enjoy cutting some of the blooms for an arrangement that will last for weeks as it dries. Do you like it better on the kitchen table or the mantle?

It’s the mantle for now.

I have three dwarf daisy gardenias that are dependable May bloomers. The white flowers last only a week or two before fading to an unattractive yellow.

I much prefer the big common gardenia with its sweet fragrance wafting across the yard. It’s loaded with blooms today.

Finally, I’ll mention the abelia shrub with tiny bell-shaped flowers, along with the daisies and altheas just getting started. I’m sure to show more of those into the summer.

I think I might cut one of these gardenias for a corsage to wear to church tomorrow. It’ll look great with my white slacks and sandals!