Late Summer Bloomers

August 24th, 2022

Hopefully you’ve had several delighted, “Oh my gosh!” moments when gazing out at your garden this summer. But lately if you find yourself having disappointing, “… Oh… my gosh,” moments, you’re not alone. Late summer can be rough on plants, whether they burn up or just stop blooming altogether.

So to get some inspiration, I took a stroll through our trial and display gardens to see what was looking lovely despite the high heat and humidity. My walk did not disappoint, I left with plenty of ideas to share! Here are three of the gorgeous late summer bloomers I found. ↓ Check out this video to see all five.

Azurri Blue Satin rose of Sharon flowers look exceptionally saturated with color against the dark green foliage with glimpses of sky in the background.

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Azurri%20Blue%20Satin.jpg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=Azurri%20Blue%20Satin.jpg" alt="Azurri Blue Satin rose of Sharon flowers look exceptionally saturated with color against the dark green foliage with glimpses of sky in the background." width="160" align="middle" />

Azurri Blue Satin®

full sun
8-12′ tall +
6-10′ wide
USDA zones 5-9

Clusters of hot pink Oso Easy Double Pink rose flowers are showing off in the late summer garden.

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Oso%20Easy%20Double%20Pink%20rose.jpg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=Oso%20Easy%20Double%20Pink%20rose.jpg" alt="Clusters of hot pink Oso Easy Double Pink rose flowers are showing off in the late summer garden." width="160" align="middle" />

Oso Easy®
Double Pink

full sun
1.5-2′ tall + wide
USDA zones 5-9

Vitex Blue Diddley blooming in the late summer garden.

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Vitex%20Blue%20Diddley%20in%20the%20garden.jpg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=Vitex%20Blue%20Diddley%20in%20the%20garden.jpg" alt="Vitex Blue Diddley blooming in the late summer garden." width="160" align="middle" />

Blue Diddley®

full sun
3-6′ tall + wide
USDA zones 5-9

Trialed + Tested

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Trialed%20+%20Tested.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Trialed%20+%20Tested.png" alt="Trialed + Tested" width="560" align="middle" />

Azurri Blue Satin® rose of Sharon

It brings the drama, but only the good kind. Roses of Sharon have a bad wrap for being aggressive, but we haven’t found a nuisance seedling under this blue beaut, ever. And while this hibiscus looks as tropical as can be, it overwinters easily down to zone 5 and keeps growing off of old wood (unlike the perennial or tropical kind). Perfect for gardeners who love low maintenance plants with big appeal.

Bright blue flowers on Azurri Blue Satin rose of Sharon in the late summer garden.

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Hibiscus%20Azurri%20Blue%20Satin%20IMG_3818.jpg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=Hibiscus%20Azurri%20Blue%20Satin%20IMG_3818.jpg" alt="Bright blue flowers on Azurri Blue Satin rose of Sharon in the late summer garden." width="160" align="middle" />

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Gardeners%20Are%20Asking.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Gardeners%20Are%20Asking.png" alt="" width="560" align="middle" />

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Question.png?upscale=true&width=200&upscale=true&name=Question.png" alt="Question" width="100" align="middle" />

Can I grow hydrangeas in containers?

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Answer.png?upscale=true&width=200&upscale=true&name=Answer.png" alt="" width="100" align="middle" />

Yes, absolutely! There are a few things to consider before getting started, so we’ve made a video outlining the process step by step to help you enjoy success.

WATCH THE VIDEO

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Dig%20In.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Dig%20In.png" alt="" width="560" align="middle" />

A gardener shows a plant pairing that uses good texture balance, similar light requirements, and nicely staggered mature height and widths.

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Planting%20Pairing%20Basics.jpg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=Planting%20Pairing%20Basics.jpg" alt="A gardener shows a plant pairing that uses good texture balance, similar light requirements, and nicely staggered mature height and widths." width="160" align="middle" />

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Do.png?upscale=true&width=200&upscale=true&name=Do.png" alt="" width="100" align="middle" />

Spice up your plant pairings with a few helpful tips.

A very colorful Incrediball Blush smooth hydrangea blooming in the late summer garden in a cold climate.

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Hydrangea%20arborescens%20Incrediball%20Blush%20IMG_5257.jpg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=Hydrangea%20arborescens%20Incrediball%20Blush%20IMG_5257.jpg" alt="A very colorful Incrediball Blush smooth hydrangea blooming in the late summer garden in a cold climate." width="160" align="middle" />

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Watch.png?upscale=true&width=200&upscale=true&name=Watch.png" alt="" width="100" align="middle" />

Add some interest to your cold climate garden with these amazing plants.

An Oso Easy Peasy rose is in the trial greenhouse flagged for inspection.

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Rose%20Trialing%20Process.jpg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=Rose%20Trialing%20Process.jpg" alt="An Oso Easy Peasy rose is in the trial greenhouse flagged for inspection." width="160" align="middle" />

<img decoding="async" class="lazyload lazyload" style="outline: none; font-size: 16px;" src="https://hs-20584599.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20584599/hubfs/Read.png?upscale=true&width=200&upscale=true&name=Read.png" alt="Read" width="100" align="middle" />

From root to hip, learn about your Proven Winners roses and what they need to thrive.

Written by

Kristina Howley

I am all in when it comes to gardening. Almost every part of the experience delights me – new leaves emerging in spring, pollinators buzzing in summer, birds devouring berries in fall, and the somber beauty of seed heads in winter. Thanks to a background in horticulture and gardening my own clay-filled, flowery USDA zone 5b plot, I’ve learned plenty of practical things as well. I like sharing these joys and lessons with my fellow gardeners and soon-to-be gardeners any way I can.

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