Top 10 Summer Flowering Shrubs for the Garden

[@ThreeRunHomer]

St John’s Wort shrub for a multitude of yellow blooms in June to August. Zone 7a.

[@sallylangendorf8601]

Kingwood Texas I like Mexican Heather. It’s so hardy and easy.

[@8helenjhouston8]

Zone 8 Eastern NC - Diamond Spire Gardenias continue to bloom into August. Just being able to smell one bloom makes me smile!

[@maureentaylor4771]

My favorite flowering shrubs in my Z-9a, Houston, are crape myrtle, vitex, hydrangeas lace cap (shade),shrub roses, rose of sharon.

[@aalejardin]

In zone 6b, hydrangeas are definitely the best bang for the buck and for the effort. If you have all the main varieties (oakleaf, serrata, macrophylla, paniculata) you can have blooms over a long period, and the paniculatas usually change color to pinks and maroons for us here. In a triumph of hope over experience, I still try to grow roses and some cultivars are more pest and disease resistant than others. Abelia, clethra, itea, hibiscus of various sorts are all great and I really enjoy seeing the succession of bloom times--even as one fades another steps in to keep the show going and the pollinators feasting.

[@plantsandfish7197]

I live in the PNW (zone 8) where it gets exceptionally dry over the summer. My concern with hydrangeas is that I’ll have to bring a hose to them everyday… In your experience what have been the most drought and heat tolerant varieties ? Thanks

[@kellymcdonald9396]

@@plantsandfish7197 I’m in 8b pnw and have many hydrangeas. The most drought tolerant for our summers are the panicles especially if you give them some shade in the late afternoon.

[@plantsandfish7197]

@@kellymcdonald9396 Thank you Kelly!

[@Khushboo-e-Hassan12]

""Your videos are not only beautiful in terms of content but also in how you edit them ! keep sharing the awesome videos."🌹🌹🌹""

[@rachelsgarden]

8a Georgia, Rose Creek Abelia. It’s been an easy, tough plant for us for two years. Covered in flowers right now. Have them planted in three different areas and all look great.

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

Bees are all over my caryopteris and Vitex. One of my bushes started blooming in June and is still going strong.

[@amyjones2490]

Here in zone 5 I’ve been impressed with the new varieties of spires. Double play Doozie is a great one and who cares if Candy Corn blooms or not, the foliage is great. Weigela Sonic Bloom has bloomed every day this summer and I just planted them last fall. I really like the colored leaf Ninebark just for the way the light shines through the leaves, it’s just magical.

[@heathturnbow3733]

Double play has been a disappointment here in North Texas for me. Bloomed in spring and got tired looking soon after. Surviving 108 degrees at the moment though.

[@rachelsgarden]

I just planted doozies in 8a Georgia and they’re loving the heat so far. Hoping they flower well next summer. Agree that foliage on candy corn is great. I haven’t had any flowers yet, but I just planted in the spring.

[@2wheelsforever174]

The birds don’t eat the berries of my beauty berry bush so I enjoy the electric lavender berries all winter long💜💜💜

[@rosiesingleton6480]

I’m getting rid of all the rose bushes I planted, not planting anymore petunias or any other annuals. I will plant some in planters only. For now on its bushes that range in all colors, barberries, Hollie’s, hostas, coral bells.

[@L4sleeko]

I love the white flowers. I’ve got so much color going on that the whites make everything else just pop. I’m not so squeamish about the spent blooms as the colors cover them up as they fade. Really show up nicely on a full moon night. 🌝

[@nadaferris5928]

Toyon [Hetermeles arbutifolia] is a favorite of pollinators in the summer with thousands of tiny aromatic white flowers that transition to red berries in the fall thru winter, loved by mockingbirds, American robins and cedar waxwings. This a native from southern OR throughout CA into Baja CA. Fairly drought tolerant in the chaparral and even in here in the suburbs [z9b/Sunset z17; SF Bay Area, East Bay hills]. Can be kept 5’ x 5’. Ours are in the sidewalk patch near the street.

[@kimbruce4269]

I planted 2 Toyon last fall, mostly in the hopes that I would get visited by cedar waxwings. They're still quite small to be fruiting yet, but have definitely put on some growth. I'm excited to watch them mature and see what they attract to my garden.

[@stephaniesharkey3538]

Zone 8 , GA- abelia for the pollinators that come all summer!

[@stephaniesharkey3538]

I forgot the hydrangeas!!!!

[@laurawentz2154]

Love my butterfly bushes!

[@thomasnoble1816]

I am pleased that sterile hibiscus varieties are coming out. Here in 6B NJ the base plants in my experience are more aggressively invasive than English ivy.

[@florneiers5651]

I’m in NC zone 7b Greensboro and I have a hedge of “Abelia Little Richard” . I couldn’t kill it if I want to. Easy to prune,drought resistant. Attracts butterflies. I prune it in early September and it keeps the clean shape all winter. ♥️

[@beckyscheller9358]

Bobo hydrangea is a winner for me. Love it

[@shawnfox7393]

Jim under promised and over delivered, giving us 13 plants in his top 10 list.

[@lisaawild]

We our Vitex in Houston zone 9. We have Crepe Myrtles which Im not crazy about but were here long before we moved in 20 years ago. My American Beautyberry had passed the flowering stage and had gorgeous purple berries. I'm debating about adding more flowering shrubs, so this was helpful. Thanks Jim.

[@bethharper3900]

Jim I live in zone 6A and have a Kaleidoscope Abelia, thanks to u and yes it’s blooming. I have an old fashioned big leaf hydrangea that has about 5 blooms on it right now, crazy. My favorite summer blooming bush is my Beautyberry Bush. I have A Tuff Stuff hydrangea that looks great this year w lots of blooms

[@saralee848]

Hi Beth! Does your abelia stay evergreen for you? Thanks!

[@dia9491]

Crepe myrtle is the most popular in my area, hydrangea and butterfly bush. I see those everywhere. This year I’ve seen a new to me hydrangea popping up all over, it’s very tall between five and six feet stems with huge white flowers which look more like sea coral that flowers. I see it mostly in full sun or half day sun. It’s really a cool looking hydrangea but I have no clue what they are.

[@Hayleyavalon]

Hardy fuschias. Beautiful shrub with wonderful flowers all summer long in Europe.

[@wendywelsh2737]

Great list! I am in zone 5b and you hit most of our summer flowering shrubs. Hydrangeas (all types), love my lil Kim rose of Sharon, roses I have David Austin Olivia Rose Austin which is fabulous but the stop in your tracks flowering shrub or is it a perennial - Rose Mallow or Hardy Hibiscus. This year we had a extreme warm up in early April and then back to cold and it killed all the buds on the macrophylla hydrangeas most did not bloom this year. Even the promising ones that bloom on old and new wood were affected. I have 1 beautiful blue bloom but usually I have 20+. What do gardeners say “ there is always next year!”.

[@waynem.7226]

Here in my zone 5b/6a, the current standouts in the garden are the Ruby Slippers oakleak hydrangea, reblooming Josie lilac, nearly seed-free Aphrodite and Minerva rose of sharon, the monster-sized flowers on the monsterous Allegheny viburnums and, of course, the Pink Diamond and Limelight paniculatas that every bee/wasp/flying insects from around the county have swarmed. It'd be great to see the Ruby Spice clethras bloom, but the deer just won't let that happen.

[@cjminor6429]

I am in Virginia in zone 7b, and I have to admit that possibly my favorite early to mid summer flowering plant is Canna Lily. I really love the variety of colors of both the flowers and the leaves, the different forms of the flowers, the variation in the currently available heights of the plants, and how well some of these beautiful plants container garden as a centerpiece plant or as a pocket garden plant surrounded by contrasting texture and color. This year I'm really enjoying Bronze Peach, a dwarf variety I believe, with low growing hosta, and some red sedum. Stunning!

[@ephemeraphilesbytomi]

Lilacs for me! Zone 6 central Indiana.

[@gardenfunwithpaulie]

Hi Mr. Putnum I am in zone 8b and my favorite is the dwarf butterfly bushes. Pugster series 👍🏼

[@heathturnbow3733]

Catmint doing pretty well for me in North Texas 7b/8a line.

[@angiestelzer1064]

I am in Zone 8B and have one Vitex and just love it! It rebloomed this summer and still has buds on it. I am currently considering the Vanilla Spice Clethra, and Obsession Nandina for the back gardens and maybe adding one of the new Pink Caryopteris for the front garden. I know the Nandina does not flower, but I like the red leaves in the fall winter.

[@rachelsgarden]

I’ve been eyeing the pink caryopteris too 😊

[@Collington23]

Here in zone 9b in Florida loving the summer blooms of the native scarlet red rosemallow hibiscus. I’ve also seen hundreds of pink native hibiscus blooming on portions of the highway near wetlands here. Definitely jatropha integerrima and firecracker bushes (hamellia patens ‘compacta’) are up there as well as they are stunning and amazing for pollinators. My bush form crape Myrtles like the red on black ‘Sunset Magic’ also look great right now. All of these shrubs make our intense summers a lot nicer.

[@cynthiad.1082]

Yes, my hamellia patens compacta has been blooming all season. Looks great! I’m Zone 9b FL too.

[@valerieenlow6282]

I love my butterfly bushes. I have 2 Miss Lilacs and 2 Pugster Pinks!

[@vinithakahandaliyanage4758]

In southern Ontario, Canada zone 7a, hydrangeas and butterfly bushes are the best. I have many dwarf varieties in my compact garden. I have learnt so much from your videos. Thank you Jim. 🙏🏻🇨🇦

[@orchidgarden3124]

Are you sure you are zone 7a? I’m in south east Michigan, very close to southern Ontario and I’m 6a. I didn’t know any place in Ontario was 7a. Just curious.

[@vinithakahandaliyanage4758]

I live in St. Catharines , Niagara wine Region. We have a micro climate here. We are nestled between Lake Ontario and Niagara escarpment.

[@pattic.9376]

Buddleia can be invasive, and doesn't support wildlife.

[@joanncooper9146]

The deer prune my roses quite regularly. Too regularly. Had lovely buddlea in Virginia. Tried them here in the Lowcountry ten years ago, but the older varieties didn’t do well. Warm winters, too much rain. However, I’m hearing that the Pugster series does very well in Savannah and stays evergreen, so I’m giving Pugster Blue a try. Stay tuned…

[@jcking6785]

Central KY, zone 6b My favorite summer blooming shrubs that I currently have in my garden are: Bobo and Limelight Hydrangeas, Caryopteris, Bottlebrush Buckeye and hardy Hibiscus. Future favorites which are still in pots waiting for cooler weather to plant are: Chitalpa, Kodiak Orange Diervilla, Miss Molly Buddleia, Let’s Dance Can Do Hydrangea and Double Take Eternal White Flowering Quince.

[@josweatt898]

I lost my 2 Blue Beard Caryopteris last winter and replaced them with Chitalpa El Niño. Love them and hope they come back. I do see small ground shoots of Caryopteris coming back so who knows? 7b MS the bees 🐝 loved the Caryopteris even more than the African Blue Basil!

[@GardenDoodles]

We planted potentillas for their summer flowers and they’ve been blooming for weeks now.

[@ArlysEscobar]

Lion’s tail and bougainvillea in coastal CA.

[@gracepeterson7483]

When we moved into our house in 1997 there was (and still is) a tall, informal hedge of glossy Abelia in our front yard, growing under a taller Liquidamber. Here in the Pacific Northwest, (Zone 8b) as you probably know, we have very dry summers. (No measurable rain here since April this year.) Regardless of the lack of water, the Abelias always thrive. I can't say enough good things about them. Besides the lovelies you mentioned, Hardy Fuchsia species and hybrids are great summer bloomers here. (I suppose they classify as herbaceous perennials but, you know... I also love my Nerium oleanders, Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow), Dichroa febrifuga. Let's not forget Heptacodium (7 Sons Flower) and Clerdodendrum (Harlequin Glory Bower). Both are just starting to bloom now. Great video as always.

[@kso808]

My Roses of Sharon have done fairly well this summer, especially the pink one. When the heat really hit, they went into a quasi-dormancy, but then resumed blooming in August after temperatures normalized.

[@gracefulgrowing144]

My Platycodon grandiflorus ( Blue Balloon Flower) is in full bloom. I live in Eastern Indiana 5b/6a.

[@GardeningSpirit]

Agree! I love clethra...looks interesting in the winter and a plant that is so worth the wait for it's bloom. I have mine planted on my side bed where it's mostly shaded until hot afternoon late sun. It's also in moist but sandy soil and seems to be fine w/ it.

[@ljenkins7317]

In 7B, Northwest Texas, I cannot keep my abelias alive. 😢 I keep trying….. My best flowering shrubs are Vitex, Crepe Myrtle, Rose of Sharon, and Turk’s Cap. I’m going to try a Miss Kim lilac next year. I like pushing my luck! 😅

[@rachelsgarden]

Are winters more of a problem than the summers (for your Abelia)? I know they can get pretty thin or even completely defoliate with temps in the teens.

[@joannschultz-4972]

Zone 9b California favorite summer shrubs are butterfly bush, rose of Sharon and hibiscus. Thanks for the video

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

I'm in Zone 5A Rose of Sharon and Hydrangeas are on Displays right now.

[@dylan8285]

6a Michigan ours are hydrangeas, buddleia, rose of Sharon, dinner plate hibiscus, newer spirea’s, roses if your up for all the spraying. Just off the top of my head for sure missing some.

[@lindahopkin]

I am in zone 3 Regina Sk Canada and i love my Hydrangeas color all summer long

[@katherinec7698]

Well now my wish list has grown! Beautiful pictures! We don’t get deer in our yard but the grasshoppers sure are a problem (8a TX) this year!

[@pattic.9376]

Please do your research to be sure the plants you're looking for are not invasive in your area, and beneficial for wildlife - think host plants, and don't use pesticides, etc.

[@katherinec7698]

@@pattic.9376 I use a lot of natives and drought tolerant plants along with some special ones near the house that may need water more often. Even some of our native plants can take over a yard. I’ve not used pesticides in years but the grasshopper invasion is testing my patience. I think the birds are tired of eating them. 🙂

[@theresaodwyer2026]

I have to have Miss Huff Lantana! They bloom June to frost, blooms are so dainty, smells great, and pollinators and butterfly’s love live them.

[@someguy5927]

My vitex does not bloom very long, a few weeks. But it is incredibly drought tolerant and grows very fast. This is its 2nd summer, went from 2 ft to 8 ft. CA central valley zone 9b

[@bonniejackson7476]

Zone 8 a here in NC. I'd say roses, hydrangeas and perennial hibiscus.

[@maryanne2666]

Zone 5 NH - Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Quick Fire’, Hydrangea serrata ‘Tuff Stuff’ and Clethra. Clethra smells amazing.

[@CrystalKrotky-wo1ff]

Zone 5 (a or b), can’t remember 🤪. So I’m what you’d call an amateur ISH gardener. Starting to learn about soil, and amending soil, fertilizer, companion plants, etc. we are trying to replace two huge overgrown boxwoods & all of our 15+ shrubs our spring bloomers. We live on a lake & I guess you can say it’s western exposure. Free n about 1:30 to sundown the sun reflects off the lake & Exposes the area where the shrubs are to be planted. I’m in need of a (911) help. You gave great information, but I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed .. any advice or tip are greatly appreciated & welcome 🙏 👩‍🌾☺️

[@kathleenb2772]

Caryopteris because I love the grey/silver color as well as the blue blooms in August. I'm close to Lake St. Clair in Michigan so maybe a bit warmer than 6a. It is a medium sized shrub with a nice even half moon shape. It was infested with a leaf sucking insect this spring, however Michigan's weather this season has created perfect conditions for many little critters.

[@lajoyceneafus3021]

I live in zone 6b. My hydrangeas and spirea do quite well here. I am a new gardener with little experience but thanks to you and a few others, I am learning.

[@sunshinetogo4221]

Hydrangea and butterfly bush 5b zone

[@katiekane5247]

There's a Chapel Hill Lantana that's huge in our town. Despite no care besides being cut on by county crews & being surrounded by asphalt, it's gorgeous. Sadly, the one I planted summer of 2022 didn't survive last winter. I'll try it again though. There was a large Rose of Sharon already at this house when we moved in. It does seed around but I've left those that occured where they would be appreciated. The hummingbirds adore them & I've had pale purple seedlings come from the old plain white shrub. Not a shrub but my large clumps of Red Lobelia are incredibly showy, 3-5 feet tall & another favorite of the hummers. 3 years from gathered seed is about as cheap as you can get for such a commanding garden plant

[@suegoetz1221]

zone 7A - the only thing blooming in my garden right now are magnolias and rose of Sharon. the weeds are doing great.

[@deannahaworth7666]

Ruby slippers oak leaf hydrangea in zone 6b Springfield Mo ( southwest Missouri )

[@kaval1er]

Hands-down, for me it is hydrangeas.

[@michelechambers4494]

In Central Texas, we are in a drought with extreme heat and water restrictions. My crepe myrtle and Vitex are doing well with very little water. My abelias also look healthy but they haven't bloomed as much.

[@GardenKath]

In Northern Indiana, it's hydrangeas, clethra and roses (I can't quit them 😅), for me. My new place has quite a population of deer and bunnies, though, so I have to decide if I'm going to add any more of those, other than clethra. I mean, aside from the two roses and two hydrangeas I've already planted. Shhhhhhhhh)

[@GardenKath]

Btw, I tried one of those "sterile" roses of sharon at my last house, and while there were fewer babies sprouting up around it than normal, there were definitely more than just a few.

[@lorip2109]

Thank you Jim. These are all wonderful shrubs. I’m struggling with thrips on my roses this year, really frustrating! Love your channel.

[@jennifergreene8891]

My zone 9b Texas Gulf Coast area, even with this harsh summer, my Hibiscus, Crepe Myrtles, Butterfly Bush, Salvia, Roses, and Confederate Jasmine are all in bloom.

[@patriciamcgonigal2688]

I have to say I bought cestrum but then got worried about it being aggressive so now it’s in pots- Georgia 8a

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Jim.🌺💚🙃

[@kendrarankin2163]

Question:Jim in your garden tours, which one had the Coppertop Viburnum? I must of missed it. I am curious to see how they are looking in your garden.

[@judymckerrow6720]

Can I grow a crepe myrtle in my zone 6a garden? 🌺💚🙃

[@Collington23]

There are some named varieties that are hardy to zone 6 for sure. I’d just ask someone at a good nursery near you. If not there’s websites that specialize in shipping small crape myrtles. If you’re worried about it I’d plant mine next to a south facing wall too or somewhere that just gets a little extra heat. Some places have crape Myrtle that act like perennials where they die to the ground and come up with flush new growth and bloom in the summer

[@judymckerrow6720]

@@Collington23 Thank you, I will definitely have to look into that. 🌺💚🙃

[@pcrice-lr2dn]

Help ZONE 7a I need something that is more for shade ,prefer evergreen and tall ,I get tons of light just no direct sun. I took out a rhododendron that got huge ,I would do a Japanese maple but don’t need the dark leaves.

[@katiekane5247]

Probably should have cut the Rhody back to limit it's size. You're going to have trouble replacing that much cover & bloom.

[@Pam-v7f]

I’m in zone 8b and my abelia are crispy little critters because of our heat. I’m very sad.

[@Singlelady1601]

In Zone 5b, hydrangeas are the most reliable and beautiful shrubs

[@BlueGoose-u5x]

Rose of Sharon

[@marciagrant6687]

Rose of Sharon and Salvia amistad

[@judymckerrow6720]

White flowering plants and shrubs are so very pretty UNTIL their flowers start dying. And as much as I would like to plant white flowering plants I just can’t get past the look of the dead flowers. 🌺💚🙃

[@sherriianiro747]

🤣😆🤣😂🤣

[@freedomofreligion3248]

All?

[@lauratruthseekingWarrior]

Lol, I never have a problem with white blooming shrubs, plants or trees! Abelia, Indian Hawthorne and Gardenias are my faves, then crepe myrtle Natchez is my favorite tree. You're missing out, but it's your choice.

[@katiekane5247]

White Azaleas are the worst, they look awful as the blooms die.

[@dianacappola3738]

I’m in zone 5

[@carefreedelight2355]

Lavetera

[@pattic.9376]

Disappointed that you would recommend non-native invasive plants, Buddleia, rose of sharon, crepe myrtle. Cultivars claiming to be "seedless" can revert, similar to issues with caller pear. Why risk it?😢 Clethra alnifolia is an excellent substitute. Please ask your viewers to research beneficial plants appropriate for their ecoregion.

[@sterlgirlceline]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@dorindajenkins7825]

🙋

[@Flower_hoarder]

🌼🌳🪴ENJOYED 🪴🌳🌸