Let me tell you about my absolute favorite way to keep the garden vibrant all summer long!
While spring blooms often steal the spotlight, I’ve discovered that incorporating the right flowering shrubs can transform your garden into a colorful oasis that lasts through the hottest months.
After years of trial and error in my own garden, I’ve compiled my top 10 sun-loving shrubs that never fail to impress.
1. Butterfly Bush
Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my love affair with butterfly bush! This stunning beauty has completely transformed my backyard into a butterfly paradise. The arching spikes covered in purple, white, pink, or yellow florets create the most magical display from midsummer until the first frost.
My particular bush has grown to an impressive 12 feet, though they can reach up to 15 feet. What I absolutely adore about this shrub is its resilience during those scorching summer days when everything else looks wilted.
Just a word of caution from personal experience: check your local regulations before planting, as some areas consider it invasive. I opted for one of the new seedless varieties to be on the safe side.
2. Mock Orange
The first time I encountered a mock orange in bloom, I literally stopped in my tracks. The pure white flowers that appear in early summer are simply breathtaking, and the fragrance? Divine!
Mine has grown to about 5 feet tall, though they can reach 6 feet. I positioned it near our patio where we can enjoy its heavenly scent during summer evenings.
For those with smaller gardens, I’ve seen gorgeous compact and dwarf varieties that pack the same punch in a smaller package.
3. Spirea
If you’re anything like me and appreciate low-maintenance plants that still deliver wow-factor, spirea is your new best friend. The tiny flowers might not look like much individually, but together they create the most spectacular display.
I have several varieties in my garden, from my adorable 18-inch dwarf spirea to the stunning 4-footer that serves as my hedge backdrop. The key is choosing the right size for your space – trust me on this one!
4. Potentilla
Looking for a trooper that blooms forever? Potentilla has been my go-to for continuous color from late spring through fall. As someone who gardens in a colder climate, I especially appreciate how this hardy little shrub laughs in the face of frigid temperatures.
My yellow varieties have formed the most beautiful mounding shapes, ranging from 1 to 4 feet tall. They’re practically maintenance-free as long as they get full sun and well-drained soil.
5. Bluebeard
When I’m craving that perfect pop of blue in my late-summer garden, bluebeard never disappoints. At just 2-3 feet tall, it fits perfectly in smaller spaces, and those deep blue flowers are simply stunning.
The butterflies absolutely adore this shrub in my garden, and it keeps blooming well into fall when other plants have given up for the season.
6. Viburnum
Talk about a plant that gives you your money’s worth! My viburnum provides year-round interest with its spring/summer flowers, fantastic fall foliage, and winter berries.
I especially love how adaptable it is – mine thrives in a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. It’s truly one of the most versatile shrubs I’ve ever grown.
7. Rose of Sharon
When August rolls around and most flowers are looking tired, my Rose of Sharon steals the show. Those trumpet-shaped blooms are simply gorgeous, and the hummingbirds can’t get enough of them.
Mine has grown to about 8 feet tall, though they can exceed 10 feet. Just make sure to give it full sun and well-draining soil, and it will reward you with blooms until mid-autumn.
8. Crape Myrtle
For my southern garden friends, crape myrtle is an absolute must-have! While I now garden in a cooler climate, I’ll never forget the spectacular display of my neighbor’s crape myrtle in July through September.
Here’s a pro tip I learned: if you deadhead the first flush of blooms, you’ll often get treated to a second showing. And those butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds? They’ll thank you for it!
9. Summer Suite
While this might not be the most well-known shrub, I took a chance on Summer Suite three years ago, and it’s become one of my garden’s star performers. The mid-summer blooms are lovely, but what really sold me was the gorgeous fall foliage that follows.
It’s proven to be incredibly reliable in my part-shade garden border, though it does equally well in full sun.
10. Hydrangea
Last but certainly not least, my beloved hydrangeas! These classic beauties have never let me down when it comes to providing show-stopping summer color.
For my friends in mild climates, big leaf hydrangeas are wonderful, but if you’re in a colder zone like me, seven bark hydrangeas are your best bet. My white-blooming variety has become the cornerstone of my summer garden design.