Spring Blooming Shrubs
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote'
Evergreen shrub with narrow gray-green foliage and deep purple fragrant flowers forming dense mound. Grows 18 to 24 inches tall, tolerates pruning, ideal for low hedges, borders, and edging. Zones: 5 to 9.
Spring blooming shrubs bring fresh color and renewal to the garden, producing abundant flowers as the landscape begins to wake. Their blossoms range from soft pastels to brighter shades of pink, yellow, white, and blue, often appearing alongside emerging foliage. These shrubs add structure to borders and hedges while creating a space that feels bright, inviting, and full, as the season unfolds.
Planted with intention, they help carry the garden from early growth into peak spring display with dependable blooms. Different varieties flower at slightly different times, extending the season and adding variety. Over time, you may begin to anticipate their arrival and look forward to the familiar rhythm of spring as each shrub comes into bloom.
TREE PEONY (Paeonia)
01
Spring-blooming tree peonies bring bold color and dramatic form to the garden, with large flowers appearing in mid to late spring before many other shrubs reach their peak. Paeonia x suffruticosa ‘Zi Er Qiao’ (shown here) is grown for its distinctive pink and purple tones in a striking, layered display against finely divided foliage. Their woody structure remains in place year-round, providing a framework that supports these oversized flowers.
They are well suited to borders or focal plantings where their blooms can be clearly seen. Paeonia x suffruticosa ‘Sonoma Apricot’ offers warm apricot-toned flowers with a softer, blended effect, while Paeonia ‘Ruffled Sunset’ adds rich coral and peach tones with a more textured form. Paeonia x intersectional ‘Scarlet Heaven’ provides vivid red blooms on a compact, sturdy plant. Together, these selections deliver bold spring color, refined structure, and a strong visual presence in the garden.
CAMELLIA
02
Spring-blooming camellias bring refined color and structure to the garden, with flowers appearing from late winter into spring as the landscape begins to fill in. Camellia ‘April Kiss’ is grown for its clear pink blooms and reliable flowering, creating a bright, consistent display against glossy evergreen foliage. Their dense habit provides year-round structure while supporting a steady succession of blooms.
Camellias are well suited to borders, foundation plantings, or woodland edges where their flowers can be clearly seen. Camellia japonica ‘Annie Wylam’ (shown here) offers large soft pink blossoms and a distinctive center of small, petaloid segments that create a full, layered effect, while Camellia japonica ‘Brushfield’s Yellow’ adds creamy white flowers with soft yellow centers for a lighter contrast. Together, these selections provide extended spring color, evergreen structure, and a polished presence in the garden.
Related: Explore All Camellias ➔
RHODODENDRON
03
Summer-blooming hypericum shrubs bring bright color and lasting interest to the garden, with flowers appearing from early to mid-summer followed by ornamental berries. Selections such as Hypericum x inodorum ‘Kolros’ are grown for their clear yellow flowers and showy soft pink berries, creating a layered effect against dense green foliage. Their compact habit and steady performance add structure and seasonal continuity in a range of settings.
These shrubs work well in borders, low hedges, or mixed plantings where their flowers and fruit provide continued interest. Hypericum androsaemum ‘Albury Purple’ (shown here) adds contrast with dusky purple-toned foliage and darker berries, while Hypericum x inodorum ‘Kolsan’offers bright berries and a slightly more upright form. Together, these selections provide long-lasting color, textural contrast, and reliable structure from summer into fall.
LAVANDER (Lavandula)
04
Summer-blooming lavender brings color, fragrance, and fine texture to the garden, with flowers appearing from early summer into mid-season. Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ is grown for its compact habit and deep purple blooms that create a defined, structured look, while Lavandula stoechas ‘Anouk Deep Rose’ (shown here) adds distinctive flower heads with rich rose tones and upright bracts. Silvery-green foliage forms a cohesive backdrop and enhances the overall effect.
These shrubs work well in borders, edging, or containers where their scent and color can be enjoyed. Lavandula angustifolia ‘Platinum Blonde’ introduces variegated foliage in green and cream, adding brightness and contrast throughout the season. Together, these selections provide a balanced combination of color, fragrance, and structure in summer plantings.
BLUEBEARD (Caryopteris)
05
Summer-blooming bluebeard brings late-season color to the garden, with flowers appearing from mid to late summer and often continuing into early fall. Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’ is grown for its deep blue flowers and silvery foliage, creating strong contrast and a rich display that stands out in sunny settings. Its naturally compact, mounded habit provides structure while and pollinators.
These shrubs work well in borders, pollinator gardens, or mixed plantings where late-season color is needed. Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Gold Crest’ (shown here) adds brightness with golden foliage that highlights the blue flowers, while Caryopteris divaricata ‘Snow Fairy’ introduces variegated leaves and a softer, more relaxed habit. Together, these selections provide extended bloom, textural contrast, and reliable performance in warm, well-drained landscapes.
ROSE (Rosa)
06
Summer-blooming roses bring continuous color and form to the garden, with flowers appearing from late spring through summer and often into early fall. Rosa ‘DayDream’ is a shrub rose grown for its mauve-pink flowers, which open in single to semi-double form, creating a soft, open display against clean green foliage. Its upright habit and steady flowering provide structure and repeat interest.
These shrubs work well in borders, formal beds, or mixed plantings where their blooms can be easily seen. Rosa ‘Amber Sunblaze’ offers a compact form with warm apricot-toned flowers suited to smaller spaces or edging, while Rosa ‘Hot Cocoa’(shown here) adds a distinctive element with smoky, russet-orange blooms that deepen in color. Together, these selections provide long-lasting color and reliable performance across a range of garden settings.
HIBISCUS
07
Summer-blooming hibiscus shrubs bring bold color and a strong vertical element to the garden, with flowers appearing from mid to late summer and continuing into early fall. Selections such as Hibiscus syriacus x paramutabilis ‘Rose Moon’ are grown for their large, pink blooms that create a full, showy display against upright branching. Their consistent flowering and structured habit add both height and seasonal interest in sunny locations.
These shrubs fit naturally into borders, hedges, or focal plantings where their blooms stand out. Hibiscus syriacus ‘Blushing Bride’ (shown here) offers a more delicate look with pale, blush-toned blooms, while Hibiscus syriacus ‘Minsyble9’ adds a modern touch with rich lavender colored flowers and a refined form. Together, these selections provide long-lasting color, attract pollinators, and bring a bold, tropical feel to late-season plantings.
BUTTERFLY BUSH (Buddleia)
08
Summer-blooming butterfly bush brings bold color and movement to the garden, with flowers appearing from mid-summer into early fall. Buddleia davidii ‘Miss Molly’ (shown here) is grown for its richly saturated red to magenta flower spikes that stand out clearly against gray-green foliage, creating a strong visual display. Its arching branches and continuous bloom add a sense of movement while drawing in butterflies and other pollinators.
These shrubs work well in borders, pollinator gardens, or as focal plantings where their flowers can be fully appreciated. Their open, airy habit blends easily with surrounding plants while still providing structure and height. Together, they offer long-lasting color, wildlife appeal, and a dynamic presence in summer plantings.
CINQUEFOIL (Potentilla)
09
Summer-blooming potentilla shrubs bring steady color and a fine-textured presence to the garden, with flowers appearing from late spring through summer and often continuing into early fall. Potentilla fruticosa ‘Goldfinger’ (shown here) is grown for its bright yellow blooms that hold their color well, creating a cheerful display against soft, green foliage. Their naturally compact, mounded habit provides a tidy structure that blends easily into a range of planting styles.
These shrubs work well in borders, low hedges, or mass plantings where consistent color is desired. Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ offers a softer look with clean white flowers that brighten the planting and pair easily with other colors. Together, these selections provide long-lasting bloom, durability, and reliable performance in sunny garden settings.
FUCHSIA
10
Summer-blooming fuchsia shrubs bring bright color to the garden, with flowers appearing from early summer into fall. Selections such as Fuchsia ‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt’ (shown here) are grown for their upright habit and bold tubular blooms in shades of coral-orange and red. Their arching branches and continuous flowering create a graceful effect, especially in partially shaded settings where many other shrubs are less showy.
These shrubs perform well in borders, containers, or sheltered garden beds where their pendulous flowers can be easily seen. Fuchsia ‘Minnesota’ offers a hardier option with classic pink and purple blooms, while Fuchsia ‘Whiteknights Pearl’ provides a softer look with pale pink, elegant flowers that brighten shaded areas. Together, these selections deliver long-lasting color, attract hummingbirds, and add a graceful texture to summer plantings.