Summer flowering shrubs provide color to the landscape in the hot, dog days of summer. Most of these shrubs begin blooming in June and continue to blossom into October. They’re critical allies to have if you value continuous sequence of bloom. These deciduous flowering shrubs are easy to grow and have been favorites for a long time. They are tough, durable, and will tolerate a wide range of conditions. They will grow in full sun or part shade, but require a minimum of 6 hours of sun in order to produce flowers. Once established these shrubs are very drought tolerant and require minimal care. Best of all, they provide spectacular summer color. The following are TLC Garden Centers’recommendations.
Smoothie Althea
Beautiful double flowers adorn this upright shrub summer through fall. Matures at 8 feet by 4 feet wide. Available in several colors: Bluish-purple blueberry, pink strawberry, raspberry, and a bi-colored red and pink peppermint.
Blue Chip Buddleia
A miniature and vigorous Butterfly Bush that reaches only 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Has blue flower panicles from summer to frost. Deer tolerant. Small size makes it perfect for containers or mixed borders.
Miss Molly Buddleia
Bright, rich, reddish-pink flowers bloom in profusion from mid-summer to frost. A neat plant with silvery-gray foliage and compact branching. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming. Grows 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.
Tutti Fruiti Buddleia
Featuring fragrant, bright fuchsia-pink blooms from summer to frost, and scented foliage, this plant is great for use in smaller areas of the garden. Will reach 2 to 2.5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Deer and drought tolerant.
Crapemyrtle
Features clusters of flowers from summer to frost against glossy dark green leaves that turn orange and red in fall. As they mature the cinnamon brown exfoliating bark is outstanding. Crapemyrtle are available in several different shades of red, pink, coral, lavender, purple, and white. There are also varieties with reddish to purple leaf color. Mature size varies as follows:
Dwarf Crapemyrtle only reach a height 4 feet or less. Suggested varieties include Pocomoke, Victor, and Violet Filli.
Semi-Dwarf Crapemyrtle grow to heights of 4-8 feet. Suggested varieties are Princess, Enduring Summer, and Double Feature.
Large or Tree Crapemyrtle grows to a height of 10 to 20 feet. Suggested varieties include Dynamite, Ebony Flame, Pink Velour, Red Rocket, Muskogee, and Natchez.
Yellow Bird of Paradise
Large, exotic, yellow flowers with striking long red stamens adorn this open, fine-textured shrub. This high-heat tolerant shrub adds superb color to minimal care, waterwise gardens. Reaches a height of 4 to 6 feet tall and wide.
Hardy Hibiscus
A compact perennial plant that reaches 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide with maple-like foliage. Brilliant colored lflowers are up to 6 to 12 inches wide appear all summer. Bloom colors are available in shades of red, pink, white, and bi-colors.
Shoal Creek Vitex
Also called Chaste Tree. Rugged and reliable, this is a superior selection of an old-fashioned favorite that grows into a large shrub or small tree. Mature height is 8 to 15 feet and width 12 to 15 feet. It produces fragrant blue-violet racemes throughout the summer above dark, gray-green, and compound palmate foliage.
Bubba Desert Willow
Bright bicolor lavender and dark purple flowers bloom throughout the summer. A vigorous grower matures at 15 to 25 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. Its flowers and leaves are larger than that of the species. Requires well drained, dry soils.
