Shrubs

The fluffy, full, bright blooms of many Hydrangea varieties serve well to fill out decorative floral arrangements. They are used classically by many florists and are keenly fit for this purpose. Hydrangeas are hardier than most cut-flower blooms, and the blooms last for a while after being snipped from the bush. They also produce many blooms, leaving you with a still very beautiful plant after you have taken your bouquet.

Tips For Growing Hydrangea Cut-Flowers

When planting hydrangeas specifically for cut-flower use, protect them from drying winds and hot sun that might stifle flower production. Plant on the eastern side of a building, allowing for afternoon shade. Make sure your plant has good drainage and nutrient rich soil – for the fullest, healthiest blooms amend your soil with rich compost and fertilizer.

Cut your blooms just as they reach there fullest size to ensure a long life in the vase. Cut at an angle to allow for optimum water intake. Arrange as you like, and enjoy your bright playful garden display.

Summer is the time to enjoy your garden – everything is growing, blooming, and ripening to that a point where everything will be out of your hands, downhill to autumn and winter. Make it last as long as you can by trimming and deadheading your flowering shrubs, trees, and perennials in the summer to stimulate new growth and blooms, keeping your garden looking fresh right up to the first bite of frost.

Keeping hedges and shrubs trimmed promotes fuller growth and keeps your plants looking neat and healthy. Removing unsightly old growth allows the young new growth underneath to reap the full benifit of the sunlight. Removing spent blossoms from flowering plants throughout the summer allows the plant to focus on new growth a keep blooming. Don't be afraid to prune and trim throughout the summer — trimming is not only good for the plant, but keeps your garden looking nice and clean.

South Carolina Summers can be hot and dry, especially in August and
July. My mother has an exposed south-facing wall where the sun beats
all day in the driest months of the year. She has the hardest time
getting anything to grow there. I thought I might make a short list of
shrubs that she could use for the hottest driest places in the garden,
and I am sharing it with you.

Boxwoods
The old hedge standby, boxwoods love the sun, and they will tolerate
some of the driest climates. Water deeply once a week in the driest
times, otherwise your shrub should hold up to the elements. The will
hold their leaves and color when others would fade.

Buddleia
The butterfly bush, this bush fills with beautiful, colorful blooms
throughout the summer. It will also attract pollinators, especially
butterflies, which will make all of your plants more productive. It
loves full sun, and stands up to warm dry weather.

Dogwoods
More a tree than a shrub, but it provides the bonus of eventually
adding a little shade to those over-baked patches of your garden. With
beautiful blooms and changing foliage, dogwoods provide three season of
interest. They also really love full sun.

Camellia
This shrub is the real rock star of drought tolerant plants. With
beautiful bright blooms and evergreen foliage they provide 4 seasons of
garden interest. They are drought tolerant, heat tolerant, and really
love those all-day sunny spots.

Viburnum are shrubs and small trees primarily used for their showy
fragrant flowers, seasonal leaf color, and ornamental fruit. These
deciduous shrubs provide a wonderful three-season show that creates a
dynamic quality for a year-round interesting garden.

They will
pollinate, bloom, and fruit individually, but they are much more
productive if planted in groups. They make excellent borders and
separating pieces for large landscape layouts. They also work well
along driveways and fences.

If given full sun and periodic
deep waterings Viburnum will become a very low-maintenance staple in
your garden layout. They are worry-free, hardy shrubs that are not
attractive to grazing animals like deer.

Flowering shrubs can really brighten up your garden's architecture, supplying height and structure along with a healthy dose of color. Many shrubs and trees will flower and seed in the early spring, leaving you with months of simple foliage and no flowers. Here is a list of three summer-blooming shrubs that will keep your garden bright and colorful until fall.

1. Hydrangea
   Hydrangeas are some of the most well-known flowering shrubs, and they come in many varieties. The most popular is probably the ever-blooming species, macrophylla. They will bloom from early summer to fall, and they are fairly easy to care for. They have the big fluffy, colorful blooms that gardener's have grown to expect from their hydranges.

   Some popular Hydrangea macrophylla varieties:
   Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'
   Hydrangea 'Alpengluhen'
   Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue'

2. Potentilla
   Potentillas are becoming more and more popular. Summer gardeners love their long-lasting bright blooms. They are great for rock gardens, and they are super low-maintenance. They bloom through the entire summer in distinct bright colors.

   Some popular Potentilla Varieties:
   Potentilla 'Arc-en-Ciel'
   Potentilla 'Hopwoodiana'
   Potentilla 'Mango Tango'

3. Roses
   Of course, Roses are the most popular shrub grown around the world. And, why not? They have beautiful fragrant blooms, and many of them provide wonderful color right up to the end of summer. Many new varieties are very hardy, resistant to pests and diseases.

   Try these hardy reblooming roses:
   Rose 'Double Knockout'
   Rose 'Beloved'
   Rose 'Cinco de Mayo'