Summertime brings vibrant colors and fragrant blooms to gardens, and flowering shrubs play a significant role in adding beauty and charm to outdoor spaces. Here are eight flowering shrubs that will keep your garden blooming all summer long.
1. Butterfly Bush
The butterfly bush is a favorite among gardeners for its ease of cultivation and attractive blooms. These shrubs emit a delightful fragrance reminiscent of honey and are irresistible to pollinators like butterflies and bees. Available in a range of sizes and colors, from 18 inches to 5 feet tall, butterfly bushes add a touch of elegance to any garden. Look for non-invasive varieties to prevent them from taking over your outdoor space.
2. Shrub Rose
Modern shrub roses are bred to bloom from late spring until the first frost, making them a hassle-free addition to any garden. These roses are known for their strength and disease resistance, with many varieties boasting lovely fragrances that enhance the overall ambiance of your garden.
3. Smooth Hydrangea
North American hydrangeas produce large, long-lasting flowers that add a touch of elegance to any garden. These hydrangeas feature papery blossoms that can last well into September, with modern varieties boasting sturdy stems that remain upright even after summer storms. Look for compact varieties ideal for smaller gardens.
4. Potentilla
Potentilla is a durable shrub that thrives in dry, hot climates. These shrubs produce small white, pink, or yellow blossoms in late spring that last until the first frost. Potentilla is virtually indestructible, making it an excellent choice for novice gardeners or those with busy schedules.
5. Reblooming Spirea
Spireas have long been popular for their toughness, but new reblooming varieties take their appeal to the next level. These shrubs produce gorgeous clusters of flowers in late spring, with reblooms throughout the summer, adding continuous color and interest to your garden.
6. Panicle Hydrangea
Panicle hydrangeas are known for their cone-shaped flowers that bloom from midsummer until the first frost. These cold-hardy shrubs feature white or green blossoms that gradually turn pink as they age. Panicle hydrangeas also make excellent cut flowers and dry beautifully for indoor arrangements.
7. Crapemyrtle
Crapemyrtle shrubs are prized for their showy blooms, which come in shades of white, hot pink, and scarlet. These heat-tolerant shrubs can bloom throughout the summer, depending on the variety, and new compact varieties are available to fit into smaller gardens.
8. Reblooming Azalea
Azaleas are beloved for their mid to late spring blooms, but new reblooming varieties offer extended flowering periods. These shrubs produce a second flush of blooms in mid to late summer, providing double the floral display from a single plant.
