I wanted to call this article 10 Favorite Summer Flowering Shrubs. However, I have so many favorites that it is hard to limit my list. My brain cells get fired up and pretty soon I'm distracted by all the possibilities. Do you ever feel that way when shopping at a garden center? Sometimes when my landscape customers are overwhelmed by the options at the nursery, we break it down by determining the need and focus on the design solution.
Is there a specific color you want? For gardens of busy homeowners that work all day, a white flowering shrub might be selected. White flowers are at their best in the evenings and at night. Oakleaf Hydrangea and Tardiva Hydrangeas can handle both sun and shade. Today's photo of Limelight Hydrangea is courtesy of Proven Winners. All of these hydrangeas have long panicle flowers and are good for flower arrangements. As the flowers age in the garden, they will turn rosy pink. For blue flowers, try Nikko Blue Hydrangea or sun loving Caryopteris. Home Run Knockout Rose has red flowers. Sunburst Hypericum has bright yellow flowers.
Do you need a small shrub? Summer Lilac, Leptodermis oblonga, matures 1.5'x2' making it ideal for the narrow strips between driveways and front doors, at the front of borders, and in small gardens. It can handle sun and heat. Leptodermis' fragrant flowers are similar to those of a lilac. They will flower heavy in the early summer with a light re-blooming into the fall. For shade gardens, try Pink Elf Hydrangea. It is a macrophylla, has large foliage, and also large round deep pink flowers.
Are you planting a butterfly garden? Both Butterfly Bush and Caryopteris (Blue Mist Spirea) will attract butterflies. Butterfly Bush comes in several colors. Add a bench to this garden so you can enjoy the butterflies and fragrant flowers. In colder climates, butterfly bush will die back requiring some spring pruning of the dead tops. Caryopteris also requires spring pruning in colder climates. A friend of mine has several varieties of caryopteris in her garden. 'Snow Fairy' has green and white variegated foliage. 'Sunshine Blue' is striking with bright yellow foliage and deep blue flowers. 'Pink Chablis' has pink flowers.
Do you want to block an ugly view? The garden was finished and I sat down on the bench to admire my hard work and enjoy the flowers. Then, I looked across the yard and saw my neighbor's stack of firewood. The next thing you know, I was planting Althea by the property line. With its wonderful height, Althea (Rose of Sharon) is great for blocking out unwanted views. It can be used as a specimen or planted close together to create a flowering garden wall. Our church has used them to create a small enclosed prayer garden.
Would you like a rose garden without all the fuss? The Knockout shrub roses truly require almost no care - no fungicides and no deadheading. And, they flower from spring until frost. Some gardeners will prune them in the spring for a smaller plant. There are newer varieties out that stay smaller such as Double Knockout and Home Run.
Are you a little tired of playing it safe and planting only flowering shrubs specified for your zone? Homeowners and landscapers in Kansas City have learned that our zone 5 gardens probably have some spots that are zone 6. We push the zone limits by using zone 6 plants along south facing walls and in pocket gardens protected from harsh winters. In some parts of the world, Crapemyrtle is a tree. In our gardens it is a root hardy shrub that matures 6-8' with flowers beginning in July and continuing into fall with showy seedheads.
There are many other summer flowering shrubs to use in the landscape. What are your favorites?
© Susan Mertz, June 2006. All rights reserved.
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