How to Grow Summer Flowering Shrubs - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Summer flowering shrubs is a great way to add color and interest to your garden. There are many varieties of summer flowering shrubs to choose from, so you can find the perfect one to fit your needs. Summer flowering shrubs are relatively easy to care for, and they can provide your garden with beautiful blooms for many years to come.

How to Grow Summer Flowering Shrubs - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Butterfly bush
  • Bluebeard
  • Hydrangea
  • Lilac
  • Mock orange

Common Knowledge

  • Flowering shrubs are a great addition to any garden, and can provide color and interest during the summer months.
  • There are a wide variety of summer flowering shrubs available, so there is sure to be one that will suit your particular garden.
  • Flowering shrubs generally prefer full sun, but some varieties will tolerate partial shade.
  • Be sure to water your summer flowering shrubs regularly, as they will require more water during the warmer months.
  • Fertilize your summer flowering shrubs regularly to ensure they have all the nutrients they need to flourish.
  • Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new growth and prolong the blooming period.
  • Prune summer flowering shrubs in late winter or early spring to promote new growth and encourage more bountiful blooms.
  • Some summer flowering shrubs can be susceptible to disease or pests, so be sure to monitor them closely and take appropriate action if necessary.
  • Summer flowering shrubs can make a great addition to cut flower arrangements.
  • Enjoy your summer flowering shrubs and the beauty they bring to your garden!

Related plant:
Hydrangea Summer Crush

How to Grow

  1. For summer flowering shrubs, first step is to find a sunny spot in your garden.
  2. Then, prepare the soil by digging a hole that is twice the width and depth of the shrub’s root ball.
  3. After that, mix some organic matter into the hole.
  4. Next, place the shrub in the hole and backfill with the soil mixture.
  5. Firm the soil around the shrub.
  6. Water the shrub well.
  7. Place a layer of mulch around the shrub, but not touching the stem.
  8. In order to keep the shrub hydrated, water it regularly, especially during periods of hot, dry weather.
  9. Fertilize the shrub once a year in spring.
  10. Finally, prune the shrub as needed to maintain its shape.

Related plant:
Ruby Spice Summersweet

Soil Condition

About soil condition, summer flowering shrubs need well-drained soil and full sun to bloom properly. The soil should be loose and not too dense so that the roots can easily spread out and absorb nutrients. Also, the soil should be slightly acidic to neutral. If the soil is too alkaline, the shrubs may not bloom as well.

About light

Like the other plants, shrubs need a certain amount of sun to thrive. The amount of sun your shrub needs depends on the type of shrub you have. Some shrubs, like azaleas and camellias, need partial shade to partial sun. This means they need 4 to 6 hours of sun each day. Other shrubs, like hibiscus and gardenia, need full sun to partial sun. This means they need 6 or more hours of sun each day. When choosing a summer flowering shrub for your garden, make sure to choose one that will get the right amount of sun for your garden.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition of the summer flowering shrubs is the most important factor to consider when choosing a shrub. The shrub should be able to withstand the heat and the humidity of the summer months.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% and above. The plant grows well in hot and humid conditions. It can tolerate some drought but not excessive heat. It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate most soil types.

Fertilizer Requirement

The fertilizer, usually the plant food, that you use for your summer flowering shrubs should be high in phosphorus. This is the element that helps the plant to develop strong roots. The roots are what hold the plant in the ground and help to anchor it. If the roots are weak, the plant will be more likely to blow over in the wind.

Plant Pruning

Pruning of summer flowering shrubs can be done in one of two ways- by cutting back the entire plant, or by selectively pruning individual branches. When cutting back an entire plant, it is important to do so just after the blooming period has ended. This will ensure that the plant has time to recover and regrow before the next blooming period begins. When selectively pruning individual branches, it is important to identify the branches that are causing the problem and remove them. This will minimize the amount of damage to the plant and help it to continue to grow and bloom properly.

The Propagation

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones. Summer-flowering shrubs can be propagated by taking stem cuttings in late summer or early fall. The best time to take cuttings is when the plants are actively growing. Take cuttings from new growth that is 6 to 8 inches long and has not yet flowered. Cut just below a leaf node with a sharp knife or pruning shears. Strip off the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. Dip the cut end of the cutting in rooting hormone and plant in a pot filled with moistened potting mix. Place the pot in a warm, sunny location and keep the soil moist. The cutting should root within 4 to 6 weeks. Once rooted, transplant to a larger pot or into the garden.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is fast. This is due to the fact that they are actively growing during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and there is plenty of rainfall. The best time to plant summer flowering shrubs is in early spring, so they have time to settle in and establish themselves before the hot weather arrives.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are heat and drought stress, insect and disease problems, and over-fertilization. Heat and drought stress can cause the leaves to wilt and the flowers to fade. Insect and disease problems can cause the leaves to discolor and the flowers to drop. Over-fertilization can cause the leaves to burn and the flowers to drop.

Tips on Growing

  • Do not forget to water your plants during the hot summer days.
  • Fertilize regularly to help them grow strong and healthy.
  • Place them in an area that receives plenty of sunlight.
  • Protect them from strong winds by placing them in a sheltered spot.
  • Prune them regularly to encourage new growth.
  • Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming.
  • Keep an eye out for pests and diseases and act quickly if you spot any.
  • Give them a good soak with a hose every few weeks to help them stay hydrated.
  • Make sure the soil around them is well aerated to allow for good drainage.
  • When the weather starts to cool down in autumn, prepare them for winter by cutting back any dead growth.

Similar Plants

  • Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
  • American Cranberry Viburnum (Viburnum opulus var. americanum)
  • Azalea (Rhododendron)
  • Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora)
  • Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
  • Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
  • Clethra (Clethra alnifolia)
  • Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus)
  • Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
  • Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia)

Source:
Shrubs for Summer Color - Kansas State University
Summer Color from Shrubs - University of Missouri
Summer-flowering shrubs add color to landscape | CAES …

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category