3 Great Summer-Flowering Shrubs

Summer gardens throughout most of the country are luxuriant with trees and shrubs in full growth. Many produce an abundance of blooms during the heart of the growing season, adding to the allure of these warm months. The flowers are offset by a background of greenery that is often in stark contrast to winter and spring, when so many blooms appear before the new spring leaves. Shrubs perform many important functions in the garden, including creating a permanent foundation to give the landscape shape and form. Flowering shrubs add a little extra to the entire garden when they’re in full bloom.

Brunfelsia undulata

(white yesterday, today, tomorrow) This is a most handsome evergreen shrub that grows best in dappled shade. Of upright habit and clothed in simple glossy green leaves, these plants need to planted in a prominent spot in order to be appreciated. White flowers with a long tube and wavy petals are produced along the length of the growth tips of each branch in summer, and sporadically at other times. They are very conspicuous and sweetly scented at night, adding to the allure of this notable plant. As the blooms age they turn yellow and eventually brown before withering and dying off. Sadly, these brunfelsias are not always readily available in the commercial plant trade, so if you do come across any be sure to take one home with you.