There are lots of shrubs to choose from at this time of year, I think there must be more out now than ever before, as April was so warm that everything came out at once.
If shrubs are in containers it is still possible to plant them out, so long as they are watered if the weather turns dry again.
I shall list a few well-known and easy to maintain shrubs for gardens that will flower in the next few weeks.
Deutzias are variable and come mainly in the colours of pink and white. One of the smaller ones is called deutzia pom pom.
It has pretty pink flowers, which fit in well to a mixed shrub border, and it is so easy to look after this plant.
It has no bad traits at all, being semi double, and will grow alongside any other shrubs.
Just coming out now in my garden is kolkwitzia amabilis or, as it is otherwise known, the beauty bush. This is also pink and flowers all over the bush, lasting for about a month.
Mine is really huge but could be contained into a much smaller space by cutting it back after flowering.
There are many philadelphous, some are very big such as P. coronaria, which should be avoided in a small garden.
There is the silver foliaged type, P. argentia, with silver variegated leaves, or P. aurea, the golden foliaged one.
If planted in a dark corner it will shine out and brighten that area as well as keeping the golden colour for longer.
The scent is wonderful, so they really are well worth having. They all have white flowers.
There are many weigelias to pick out also - the golden foliaged W. loomansii, or the Florida folius purureis’, which has purple leaves and burgundy flowers.
One with the AGM tag, which means it is outstanding, is weigelia variegata, which has variegated foliage and pink flowers.
The variegated foliage is useful in summer, as the shrubs need to show up against one another, but too many can make the garden appear too busy.
My final suggestion is cornus Florida rainbow. This has leaves that are outlined with deep yellow, turning in autumn to red-purple edged in scarlet.
Another cornus Florida is cherokee chief. It has wonderful bracts and is now a lovely rose pink shade.
All these shrubs will benefit from a cutting back when the flowers have gone in order to keep the shrubs tight and floriferous.
It is too easy to forget them in the busy time of summer.
By Pat Edwards
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