3 Fab Flowers for Color in Early Summer

June 15th, 2022

Early summer is a waiting game. Our favorite high-impact shrubs aren’t quite in full swing (think panicle hydrangeas, roses of Sharon, or butterfly bushes), but the glory of spring has passed. Every gardener needs something to ogle during this transition and thankfully a few key players step up to deliver that beauty.

Here are three plants that have drawn our eye this week:

Rose – Rosa

This entryway planting of Oso Easy® Urban Legend® roses does two things. It provides a welcoming mass of ever-changing color and stabilizes the hill while it’s at it. The show started in early June and it’ll keep going ’til fall.

Rosa Oso Easy Urban Legend IMG_1480

<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/Rosa%20Oso%20Easy%20Urban%20Legend%20IMG_1480.jpg?upscale=true&width=520&upscale=true&name=Rosa%20Oso%20Easy%20Urban%20Legend%20IMG_1480.jpg" alt="Rosa Oso Easy Urban Legend IMG_1480" width="260" align="middle" />

Clematis – Clematis

The flowers on ‘Still Waters’ clematis combines two stunning features. Unique color and impressive size. Its icy purple-blue coloring is perfectly displayed on flowers that are almost 4 inches wide! Each bloom lasts up to 7 days.

Blue-ish purple Still Waters clematis flowers on healthy green foliage in mid-June.

<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/still-waters-clematis-1.jpg?upscale=true&width=520&upscale=true&name=still-waters-clematis-1.jpg" alt="Blue-ish purple Still Waters clematis flowers on healthy green foliage in mid-June." width="260" align="middle" />

Sweetshrub – Calycanthus

‘Aphrodite’ sweetshrub is filled with magnolia-like blooms all summer long. If the sheer quantity of blooms and their dramatic burgundy coloring don’t draw you in, the quirky fragrance just might!

A dark burgundy 'Aphrodite' sweetshrub flower viewed closely, perfectly exhibiting its interesting cream center.

<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/Calycanthus%20Aphrodite%20P4023801.jpg?upscale=true&width=520&upscale=true&name=Calycanthus%20Aphrodite%20P4023801.jpg" alt="A dark burgundy 'Aphrodite' sweetshrub flower viewed closely, perfectly exhibiting its interesting cream center." width="260" align="middle" />

We’re under construction!

There are some big changes coming for this newsletter! A new look,

new sections, and an introduction to the person who writes it.

What new info are you hoping to see?

Dig In

Watch

Hibiscus Azurri Blue Satin in full amazing flower in the summertime.

<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%20P1093658.jpg?upscale=true&width=260&upscale=true&name=Hibiscus%20Azurri%20Blue%20Satin%20P1093658.jpg" alt="Hibiscus Azurri Blue Satin in full amazing flower in the summertime." width="130" align="middle" />

Get ready for rose of Sharon season and learn what makes each type special.

Read

Choosing the Let's Dance Arriba hydrangea at a garden center.

<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/IMG_4079.jpg?upscale=true&width=260&upscale=true&name=IMG_4079.jpg" alt="Choosing the Let's Dance Arriba hydrangea at a garden center." width="130" align="middle" />

Top 3 tips for choosing the perfect plant to give as a gift for Father’s Day!

Do

Buxus North Star freshly pruned in the 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/Buxus%20North%20Star%20P2540382-2.jpg?upscale=true&width=260&upscale=true&name=Buxus%20North%20Star%20P2540382-2.jpg" alt="Buxus North Star freshly pruned in the garden." width="130" align="middle" />

Use the right tool to prune your boxwood.

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.

Share:

Past Newsletters