After the rush of spring blooming shrubs comes to an end, it sometimes seems the list of options for the long, hot summer is limited. However, summer-blooming shrubs offer a diverse group of possibilities. Planted in groups, as stand-alone landscape specimens or in containers, there are beautiful blooms out there, bursting with summer color. In western states, many listed as only growing as far south as Zone 8 or 9 can actually be grown all the way into USDA Zones 10 and 11 (check with a local nursery). Here are a few of our favorites.
Remember: Bloom times may vary by area. Be sure to check the The USDA Plant Hardiness Map
Summer’s Fragrant Bloomers
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidaii) Offers a long season of spikey white, purple, lavender, blue and almost red, lightly-fragrant blooms. Compact varieties like ‘Lo & Behold’ series are more manageable.
Size: 6-8 feet high, 3-5 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Tip: Does poorly in wet conditions
Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) Fruity scented, brownish-red or white flowers.
Size: 6-10 feet high, 6-12 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Tip: Prefers rich, loamy soil
Glorybower (Clerodendrum) Several species, including ‘Harlequin Glorybower’ (C. tricotomum), have fragrant summer blooms followed by colorful fruit.
Size: 10-20 feet high and wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones vary
Tip: In colder climates, protect with winter mulch
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) Spikes of small, sweet-smelling white or pink flowers.
Size: 3-8 feet high, 4-6 wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Tip: Prefers part shade and consistently moist, acidic, sandy soils
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) Lovely white flowers with intense aroma. Features evergreen leaves.
Size: 5-6 feet high and wide
Light Level: Part shade
Hardiness: Zones 7-10
Tip: Plant in light to moderate shade with minimal competition from tree roots
Lavender (Lavendula) Tall spikes of aromatic, mostly blue to purple flowers. Many species and varieties.
Size: 2-3 feet high, 2-4 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun
Hardiness: Zones vary by species
Tip: Flowers attract butterflies
Myrtle (Myrtus communis) Delicate evergreen with long-lasting, small, white flowers that are pleasantly fragrant. ‘Variegata’ has leaves edged with creamy white.
Size: 4-6 feet high, 3-5 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-11
Tip: Established plants have some drought tolerance
Mock Orange (Philadelphus) Many types with intense fragrance. Mostly white flowers from late spring into summer.
Size: 4-10 feet high and wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Tip: Each flower resembles the shape of an orange blossom, hence its name
Swamp Azalea (Rhodendron viscosum) Fragrant white to pink flowers spring into summer.
Size: 3-5 feet high and wide
Light Level: Part shade
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Tip: Tolerant of wet soils and somewhat poor drainage
Boomerang Reblooming Lilac (Syringa) in shades of purple and pink, with a great scent.
Size: 3-4 feet high and wide
Light Level: Full sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-7
Tip: Good tolerance for urban conditions
Summer Flowers And Attractive Foliage
Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis) Clusters of blue flowers and silvery foliage. Late summer bloom.
Size: 2-4 feet high and wide
Light Level: Full sun
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Tip: Stems will often die to the ground in Zones 5 and 6
Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria) Whispy, purple blooms. Royal Purple and Velvet Smoke have purple foliage. Good fall color.
Size: 10-15 feet high and wide
Light Level: Full sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Tip: Sharp drainage is essential for healthy growth
Hydrangea (Hydrangea) Many wonderful types to choose from, including long-blooming Endless Summer and varieties with eye-catching variegated foliage.
Size: 6-10 feet high and wide
Light Level: Part sun to full shade
Hardiness: Zones vary by species
Tip: Soil pH affects the flower color, in highly acidic soils, flowers are bluer, in alkaline soils, flowers are pinker
Shrubs Of Many Colors
Rockrose (Cistus) Large group of drought-tolerant, colorful shrubs. Evergreen shrubs with many shades of blooms from late spring to summer.
Size: Varies from 1-2 feet to 4-6 high and up to 6-8 wide
Light Level: Full sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-9
Tip: Drought and salt tolerant
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Mild-winter classic with large, showy blooms in shades of white, yellow, orange and red. Can be grown indoors in winter.
Size: 4-10 feet high, 5-8 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 9-11
Tip: Grows large 4-8 inch flowers
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) Large choice of single or double flowers in many shades of white, pink, purple and nearly blue.
Size: 8-12 feet high, 6-10 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 5-11
Tip: Tolerant of heat, humidity and urban conditions
Oleander (Nerium oleander) Long bloom in every possible shade of white, pink, red, yellow and purple. Tough, drought tolerant.
Size: 4-8 feet high, 4-5 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-11
Tip: All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested, smoke from burning plant material can also be quite toxic
Long-Bloomers
Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) Versatile evergreen with clusters of small white to pink flowers all summer long. Some varieties, such as Kaleidoscope and Confetti have variegated leaves.
Size: 3-6 feet high and wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Tip: Best sited in protected areas in colder climates, stem damage can occur when temperatures approach 0ºF.
Yesterday-Today-And-Tomorrow (Brunfelsia pauciflora) Constantly-changing spring to summer flowers, that start out violet and fade to white over 3 days. Can be grown indoors.
Size: 3-8 feet high, 4-6 feet wide
Light Level: Part sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 9-11
Tip: Blooms in spring and intermittently throughout summer
Chinese Indigo (Indigofera decora) Long clusters of pink flowers spring into late summer. Attractive, ferny foliage. Indigo dye comes from this plant.
Size: 1-2.5 feet high, 4-6 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Tip: Afternoon shade may help leaves from bleaching
Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Shrubby types come in bright shades of white, pink, red and purple. Some varieties, like Delta Jazz, have purplish new growth. Good fall color.
Size: 6-25 feet high,6-20 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Tip: This plant benefits from a slow-release fertilizer
Tree Mallow (Lavatera) Hollyhock-like flowers, mostly in shades of pink.
Size: 3-6 feet high, 2-6 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones vary by species
Tip: In general, this plant dislikes hot, humid summers
Cinquefoil (Potentilla) Adaptable shrub with extended bloom of white to yellow and almost red flowers.
Size: 2-4 feet high, 3-5 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 3-7
Tip: Excellent winter hardiness and good drought tolerance
Cape Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) Showy clusters of blue or white flowers appear all year in mild winter climates. Sprawling, can be grown as a vine.
Size: 1-3 feet high and wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 9-11
Tip: Site in locations protected from strong winds
Summer Snowflake (Viburnum plicatum tomentosum) White flower clusters all summer, followed by red berries and good fall color.
Size: 5-8 feet high, 8-10 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Tip: Grows best with consistent, even moisture
Plus A Few More Favorites
Cape Mallow (Anisodontea x hypomadara) Dry summer favorite, with small hollyhock flowers in shades of purple and pink, often veined in darker colors.
Size: 4-5 feet high, 3-4 feet wide
Light Level: Full shade to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-11
Tip: Prune as needed to produce a bushier plant
Shiny Sumac (Rhus copallina) Tall, spreading shrub with feathery spikes of yellow flowers. Bright fall color. ‘Prairie Flame’ is compact is flaming orange to red fall color.
Size: 7-15 feet high, 10-20 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness: Zones 5-10
Tip: Aggressive grower that’s perfect for informal, naturalized areas
Japanese Spirea (Spiraea japonica) Flowers in shades of white pink and red. Some varieties with colorful leaves and good fall color.
Size: 1.5-6 feet high and wide
Light Level: Full sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Tip: Aggressive self-seeder will also spread by suckering
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) Long spikes of lightly-fragrant, purple to dark blue blooms. Tall, tough shrub with good drought tolerance.
Size: 8-10 feet high, 5-8 feet wide
Light Level: Full sun
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Tip: In colder climates, plant may die back to ground in winter, then push up 4-7 feet of new growth the following year.
