Summer shrubs in bloom

After the rush of spring blooming shrubs comes to an end, it can seem as though the list of options for the long summer season is limited. However, that is not necessarily the case. A scouring of catalogs and other garden sources leads to a pretty diverse group of possibilities for flowering plants that bloom until fall. You can use these plants for displays, grouping them as we have done below or come up with other combinations by flower color or landscape use.

Many of these plants are also perfect container subjects and can be merchandised with quality containers and potting soil. Landscape options also offer customers complementary items like mulch, drip irrigation and pest solutions.
 

Summer's fragrant bloomers

Philadelphus, mock orange, zones 4-9. Many types with intense fragrance. Mostly white flowers from late spring into summer.

Buddleia davidaii, butterfly bush, zones 5-9. Long season of spikey white, purple, lavender, blue and almost red, lightly fragrant blooms. Compact varieties like ProvenWinner’s Lo & Behold series are more manageable.

Clerodendrum, glorybower, zones vary. Several species, including C. trichotomum, the harlequin glorybower, have fragrant summer blooms followed by colorful fruit.

Clethra alnifolia, summersweet, zones 3-9. Spikes of small, sweet-smelling white or pink flowers.

Gardenia jasminoides, gardenia, zones 8-11. Lovely white flowers with intense aroma.

Myrtus communis, myrtle, zones 8-11. Delicate evergreen with long-lasting, small white flowers that are pleasantly fragrant. ‘Variegata’ has leaves edged with creamy white.

Rhododendron viscosum, swamp azalea, zones 4-9. Fragrant white to pink flowers spring into summer.

Syringa, ‘Bloomerang,’ reblooming lilac, zones 3-7. Reblooming hybrids in shades of purple and pink.

Lavendula, lavender, zones vary by species. Tall spikes of aromatic, mostly blue to purple flowers. Many species and varieties.
 

Summer flowers and attractive foliage

Caryopteris x clandonensis, bluebeard, zones 5-9. Clusters of blue flowers and silvery foliage. Late summer bloom.

Cotinus coggygria, smoke tree, zones 5-8. Wispy purple blooms. ‘Royal Purple’ and ‘Velvet Smoke’ have purple foliage. Good fall color.

Hydrangea, zones vary by species. Many wonderful types to choose from including long-blooming ‘Endless Summer’ and varieties with eye-catching variegated foliage.
 

Shrubs of many colors

Cistus, rockrose, zones 8-9. Large group of drought tolerant, colorful shrubs. Many shades from late spring to summer.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, tropical hibiscus, zones 9-11. Mild-winter classic with large, showy blooms in shades of white, yellow, orange, and red. Can be grown indoors in winter.

Hibiscus syriacus, rose of Sharon, zones 5-11. Large choice of single or double flowers in many shades of white, pink, purple and nearly blue.

Nerium oleander, oleander, zones 8-11. Long bloom in every possible shade of white, pink, red, yellow and purple. Tough, drought tolerant.

Rosa, shrub roses, zones 3-10. Diverse group of long-blooming favorites in almost every shade but true blue. Many fragrant.
 

Long bloomers

Abelia x grandiflora, glossy abelia, zones 6-9. Versatile evergreen with clusters of small white to pink flowers all summer long. Some varieties, such as ‘Kaleidoscope’ and ‘Confetti’ have variegated leaves.

Brunfelsia pauciflora, yesterday-today-and-tomorrow, zones 9-11. Constantly changing spring to summer flowers, start out violet and fade to white over three days. Can be grown indoors.

Lagerstroemia indica, crape myrtle, zones 6-9. Shrubby types come in bright shades of white, pink, red and purple. Some varieties, like ‘Delta Jazz’ have purplish new growth. Good fall color.

Lantana, zones 8-11. Dependable shrubs available in a rainbow of colors. Drought tolerant.

Lavatera, tree mallow, zones vary by species. Hollyhock-like flowers, mostly in shades of pink.

Potentilla, cinquefoil, zones 3-7. Adaptable shrub with extended bloom of white to yellow and almost red flowers.

Plumbago auriculata, cape plumbago, zones 9-11. Showy clusters of blue or white flowers appear all year in mild winter climates. Sprawling and can be grown as a vine.

Viburnum plicatum tomentosum ‘Summer Snowflake,’ zones 5-8. White flower clusters all summer followed by red berries and good fall color.

Indigofera decora, Chinese indigo, zones 6-9. Long clusters of pink flowers spring into late summer. Attractive, ferny foliage.

Lance Walheim is the Bayer Advanced garden expert and co-author of “Landscaping for Dummies.”

This list is by no means complete. Bloom times may vary by area. Zones are for the USDA Plant Hardiness Map.