Summer flowering shrubs Archives - Garden Makeover Company

Pretty in Pink – Plants Flowering in Early June

conniebowers — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:09:01 +0000

Every day in June brings out new blooms. Here is a selection of flowering plants blooming in the color pink in early June in Maryland. The light pink mass of carnation-like blooms held above powder-blue grass-like foliage, which happens to be evergreen, is Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Mountain Mist’, otherwise known as Cheddar Pinks (‘pinks’ for the pinking sheared look of the carnation-like flowers). Other nice views of this flower, which will bloom repeatedly if deadheaded, include: a close up of the flowers; a darker or hot pink selection ‘Neon Pink’; another excellent light pink ‘Bath’s Pink’.

Close-up of ‘Mountain Mist’ Dianthus flowers.

‘Neon Pink’ Dianthus just starting to bloom, held above powder blue foliage

‘Bath’s Pink’ Dianthus set repeatedly throughout a border of pastels (including the blue Amsonia hubrectii)

A very pale pink, actually almost lavender, the lilacs are in bloom — here is Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’, typically topping out at under 6 feet tall, making it useful in the mixed border, or in this case, right along the front walkway to the house,

‘Miss Kim’ Lilac

‘Wine and Roses’ Weigela

Weigela ‘Wine and Roses’ is a prolific flowering shrub, whose very deep rose blooms are set nicely against the wine-colored leaves, which themselves contrast nicely against green foliage during periods when this shrub is not in bloom.

Bletilla striata (Hardy Orchid) contains delicate hot pink flowers high on stems above the long strong strapy leaves, which also contrast nicely with delicate foliage of other plants when this one is not in flower. The photo shows some pale pink Peony plants peeking out in the background.

Bletilla striata (Hardy Orchid) on the right with Peony peeking out on the left.

‘Nancy of Robin Hill’ Azalea

Achillea ‘Oertel’s Rose’ (Yarrow)

Geraniums are the old stand-by for reliable summer-long color

The Rhododendron x ‘Nancy of Robin Hill’ (Nancy Azalea), top right, sports luscious large pale pink flowers blooming later than many azaleas, and often repeats blooming later in the season. This is a great evergreen shrub for the mixed border or foundation where something to fit under low lying windows is needed (it is typically 2′ tall by 3′ wide). Here, it is a nice facer plant for the Leatherleaf Viburnum (its small leaves make a nice foliage contrast), and it’s foliage also is a great contrast against the large, and lighter green, leaves of the Autumn Bride Heuchera in front of it. Top left, the pooch is sitting in front of Achillea ‘Oertel’s Rose’, a long-blooming Yarrow that flowers in various shades of pink from June to September, and is set in nice ferny light green foliage. To the right, geraniums sit in flower boxes and will supply reliable color well into the late fall.

Spirea japonica ‘Shirobana’

Finally, the Spireas are coming into blooms that will be with us for months. This one is ‘Shirobana’, a shorter version, that flowers in white, pink, and red on the same plant. Spireas are very useful for long-season flowers in areas where roses cannot be used because of deer issues. They tend to leave the Spireas alone.

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Snow in May? No, Just White Flowering Plants

conniebowers — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:50:58 +0000

May of 2013 brought some very strange weather — sometimes temperatures fluctuating by 30 or 40 degrees within 24 hour periods. Heat in the morning; air conditioning in the afternoon. New plants in bloom each day, and the sometimes frigid nighttime temperatures, made one think of snow. Pictured here are some trees and shrubs covered with white blooms this May that are reminiscent of snow gracing the branches. The Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum ‘Mariesii’, pictured to the left, is one of the most striking examples of the layered effect that appears snow-covered.

The Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) is a wonderful tree if year-round interest is sought. The white blooms gracing the lateral branches are followed by very large red berries danging from the tree’s stems. Best to limb up this specimen to amply highlight the outstanding colorful exfoliating bark that makes this tree a standout in the winter. For something more modest, perhaps closer to the house, the native Chionanthus virginicus or White Fringetree (tree-form or multi-stemmed large shrub) is a gem, with its unique ‘fringelike’ blossums set against the bright light green foliage. Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’ is one of the most prolific white bloomers in the spring, as it first sports little ‘pearls’ for some time before they burst out into tiny white flowers covering the stems like waterfalls. As the flowers fade, the colorful yellow to chartreuse foliage makes this shrub a nice contrast to darker green leafed plants.

The Pyracantha is also covered with tiny white flowers in May. The plant, aptly termed ‘Firethorn’ is a good security option up against the house, and it has lingering interest, e.g., when covered with brilliant firey berries later in the season.

Pyracantha (Firethorn)

Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’

Chionanthus virginicus (White Fringetree)

Cornus Kousa (Kousa Dogwood)

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Multi-colored Knock Out Rose!

conniebowers — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 22:15:04 +0000

Knock Out roses have been the sensation for many years now due to their repeat flowering from spring through fall, and their supposed resistance to some of the diseases that typically plague roses. I’ve been growing the light pink (‘blushing’) version for years, and often will see one or more flowers appearing in a different color — namely red (‘Radrazz’), which is the original Knock Out color. I simply pluck out those deviations. Recently, I’ve seen individual blossoms that contain the two colors — half and half — and this is quite a distinction, so I’ve let such aberrations just be.

Blushing Knock Out Rose in May

If deer are not an issue (deer do go after roses), then the Knock Out roses are a nice addition to the landscape. They can be integrated into perennial borders, placed along the foundation, used in pairs to flank an entryway or path, as a hedge/frame for garden elements, or used as specimens. Groupings make quite a show. They are advertised to be a modest size (3-4′ tall); however, I’ve seen them stretch up to 5′ and above, even with severe cutting back early in the season (pruning in late winter is recommended to promote vigorous new growth, and keep them in bounds). They thrive in full sun, but will tolerate some afternoon shade particularly in hot areas.

Be forewarned — this rose has not turned out to be as trouble-free as initially thought. It is susceptible to many of the disease and insect problems that afflict roses generally. These pest problems include: Rose rosette disease (an eriophyid mite found on multifloral roses that can spread the virus to Knock Outs when active from May to September); Japanese beetles; ‘rose slug’ or sawfly larvae which feed on undersides of leaves and leave small holes (they look like tiny green catepillars); and the ubiquitous black spot fungal disease. Therefore, it is important to monitor the plants for any signs of trouble and treat accordingly. This is one plant that may call for a ‘rose care’ feeding and insect control product as a preventative. By the way, while this is a deciduous plant, it often holds its foliage nearly through the winter.

Meanwhile, enjoy the multi-season floral display of this shrub, and perhaps find a new flower color among your collection too.

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