Why flowering shrubs for late summer colour? Well, because it seems such a pity that so many gardens are full of shrubs that flower madly in April and May, and then are just green for the rest of the year.
When I say only full of shrubs, I am talking about gardens which are predominantly planted with shrubs, rather than those which have a good mix of shrubs, herbaceous perennials, flowering bulbs, ornamental grasses , trees, ie a wide range of plants.
This is a list of seven flowering shrubs which will brighten up your borders during July, August and September. Many of those named will flower for longer than this; some of them for less time. But where possible, I have aimed to include those that offer another aspect of interest, colourful foliage or decorative seed heads, for example.
I’ve chosen plants which are readily available in garden centres and nurseries, so that you could even go and buy some and plant them in your own garden this bank holiday weekend. It’s not often I suggest a ‘quick fix’ in your garden, but sometimes it can be a pleasant change to see that immediate effect.
Flowering shrubs for late summer colour in alphabetical order
Ceratostigma
I always feel that blue flowered Ceratostigma plumbaginoides is worth growing for its name alone! The foliage turns red as the season progresses which adds to the interest and colour. A low shrub, often creeping along the ground or resting on other plants, it is deciduous so is best in a mixed herbaceous border. I have included Ceratostigma plumbaginoides as part of a planting design for more than one Crystal Palace football club fan in South London, as the club’s colours are also red and blue.
Fuchsia
Which fuchsia to choose? Some are hardier than others and will stay in your borders year round. Other fuchsias are not frost hardy and will need to be taken under cover before the frosts, so are probably better grown in pots for that reason. But you could certainly grow any or all of them for late summer colour
Trailing fuchsias for hanging baskets and raised beds will continue to flower right through September, even in shadier gardens. As flowering shrubs for the border why not choose the extremes of delicate white ‘Wedding day’ and darkly dramatic ‘Blacky’ or have both for a stunning monochromatic display.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas must be one of the more traditional choices for flowering shrubs in the late summer garden. There are lots to choose from, for example, Hydrangea paniculata, with long panicles of flowers, and Hydrangea macrophylla, the mop head hydrangea. This latter, the more frequently seen hydrangea in suburban and coastal gardens, is no less useful for its popularity. Then for a change, there is the evergreen oak leaved Hydrangea.
As for the whole question of what turns pink hydrangeas blue and vice versa and what you can do about that, you can find the answers in the Plews article – Why has my Blue Hydrangea turned Pink?
Penstemon
Penstemon, commonly called ‘beardtongue’, are reliable flowering shrubs to add colour to the late summer border. Bright reds and purples, soft bi-coloured pink flowers, white and blue gives the gardener a good range of flower colours to match most schemes. However, it is a particularly popular cottage garden plant, as it has an informal habit.
Easy to look after and evergreen or semi evergreen in many parts of Britain, Penstemons offer an easy maintenance gardening option for those who like colourful flowers over spring summer and autumn. If you remove the flower stalks as they fade, you will get a more impressive show, but penstemon will flower even for busy people who don’t have the chance to deadhead flowers in their garden.
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Potentilla
Often forgotten in the excitement of new and more showy plants, Potentillas (shrubby cinquefoil) can be reliable flowering shrubs all summer long.
For example, the burnt orange flowers of Potentilla fruticosa ‘Hopleys Orange’ add a vibrant contrast to herbaceous Centranthus rubra alba (white valerian) when planted in front. A small deciduous shrub it is potentially more suited to small modern gardens than some of the larger shrubs which have been popular in the past.
Roses
Ah, the rose! A popular scented flower worldwide, from its origins in the gardens of historic Persia to new varieties and Rose of the Year introduced at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival, shrub roses and climbing roses are an essential in many gardens.
However, if you want a rose that will be flowering in your garden during late August and into September, be sure to buy a repeat flowering cultivar.
Unusually for me, this is the only scented flower I’ve suggested this week, and I do assume you’ll be buying a scented rose, whether that’s a light tea rose fragrance, or a heady, musky perfume. A rose without scent goes to the bottom of my list of options, I’m afraid, unless it’s really special for another reason.
As for the annual question of when and how to prune your roses, check out When to Prune Roses in Plews Potting Shed. And there are a few blogs with ideas for choosing and growing roses in the blog links at the end.
Salvia
There are shrubby Salvias and herbaceous Salvias and annual alvias. Salvias in all their culinary and ornamental forms are worthy of a blog to themselves (watch out for that one). Here, we are considering flowering shrubs so it is Salvia microphylla and Salvia greggii who are in the spotlight.
Also known as sub-shrubs, these salvias are a fairly recent introduction into British gardens, having been discovered in New Mexico in the 1990s. Potentially flowering through from late April to November they are best in a sunny border, but they do not all need full sun to flower well. All the Salvias have aromatic foliage, which is edible and flavoursome to add to cool summer drinks and salads.
As with the Penstemons, Roses, Hydrangeas and Fuchsias I’ve already suggested as good flowering shrubs for late summer colour, Salvia flowers are available in a range of colours. And in case you’re wondering why the bi-coloured Saliva ‘hot lips’ you bought is single coloured or white it is to do with the weather and day length. They have a tendency to be red in midsummer, bicolored red and white in July and August, sometimes completely white in autumn.
How else can we inspire you?
If you’re now off to the plant nursery and garden centre to choose new flowering shrubs, have fun! But you may be sitting down with a cup of coffee and reading through the gardening blogs in Plews Potting Shed – there are related links below, and the Garden Visits category may give you some ideas for a trip out.
If you would like help with late summer planting designs for your garden, we can offer themed planting designs and garden designs – why not get in touch? Or you could ask about our bespoke Gardening Lessons, where your classroom is actually your own garden.We can help you learn gardening basics and also how to plan an ornamental border so you do have flowering shrubs for late summer colour!
And for further gardening advice and inspiration, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below and our monthly Tipsheet – You could come and find us on Instagram Pinterest and Facebook too.
Related Gardening articles you may enjoy from our Award Winning Blog
Shrubs
Buddleia – Butterfly Bush or Beast?
9 Shrubs and Trees for Stunning Autumn Foliage
Evergreen Shrubs for Foliage Interest
Scented Shrubs for Christmas Morning
Why has my Blue Hydrangea turned Pink?
Late Summer Gardens
Five Yellow Flowers for Late Summer Gardens
15 Bank Holiday Gardening Tips
A Walled Garden on a Summer’s Afternoon
What is an Ornamental Edible Garden?
Cucumbers, Pompeii, August Bank Holiday
How to Choose Apple Varieties to Grow in Your Garden or Orchard
Roses
Scented Roses, rose bushes, climbers, fragrant flowers
Rose Gardens – the Scent of Paradise
Romantic Roses for Valentine’s Day and Beyond
Hybrid Tea Roses
When to Prune Roses
