If your garden could do with some extra colour a little earlier this summer, we have many flowering shrubs, climbers and perennials to choose from.
Herbaceous Perennials
Agapanthus (African Lily) – A striking South African perennial known for its tall stems topped with large, spherical clusters of trumpet‑shaped blue, purple, or white flowers that bloom from mid‑ to late summer.
Digitalis purpurea ‘Dalmatian Peach’ (Foxglove) – A compact, early‑flowering foxglove celebrated for its soft, peach‑coloured bells and reliable first‑year bloom. It’s a biennial or short‑lived perennial forming a neat rosette of downy green leaves and sending up upright spires of pendulous, funnel‑shaped flowers with delicate orange‑speckled throats.
Erigeron karvinskianus – Erigeron karvinskianus, commonly known as Mexican fleabane or Santa Barbara daisy, is a charming and resilient perennial plant renowned for its delicate beauty. Originating from Mexico, this herbaceous species has spread its appeal globally. Characterized by small, daisy-like flowers with white or pale pink petals and golden-yellow centers, Erigeron karvinskianus forms cascading mounds of blooms, creating a picturesque carpet effect. Its slender stems bear tiny, lance-shaped leaves. Adaptability is a hallmark of this plant, thriving in various soil types and displaying remarkable resilience to drought conditions. Often used in gardens, hanging baskets, or as ground cover, Erigeron karvinskianus is celebrated for its low maintenance and ability to attract butterflies and bees, contributing to biodiversity. Its enduring bloom period, extending from spring to early autumn, enhances its popularity among gardeners seeking a resilient and aesthetically pleasing addition to their landscapes.
Erysimum ‘Bowles’ Mauve’ – A long-flowering, evergreen perennial admired for its vibrant colour and exceptional garden performance. Producing masses of rich mauve-purple flowers over an extended season, often from spring through to autumn, it brings reliable colour and interest to borders and containers. Its slender grey-green foliage provides an attractive contrast to the vivid blooms, while its compact, bushy habit makes it easy to incorporate into mixed displays. Height and Spread 1m.
Geranium Rozanne (‘Gerwat’) – A remarkable perennial geranium known for its prolific blooms and easy-going nature. This cultivar boasts large, violet-blue flowers adorned with white centers, creating a striking contrast against deeply lobed, glossy green foliage. The blooms of ‘Rozanne’ are sterile, meaning they do not produce seeds. This characteristic contributes to the plant’s exceptional longevity in bloom, as energy that would otherwise be directed toward seed production is channeled into continuous flower production. Cultivating this geranium is straightforward, as it thrives in well-drained soil and partial to full sun. A hardy plant, ‘Rozanne’ is resilient in various soil types and adapts well to garden borders, containers, or rock gardens.
Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ – A cheerful, long‑flowering perennial loved for their bright, bobbing blooms and tidy, clump‑forming habit. They bring a lively, uplifting energy to borders from late spring into summer, with some varieties continuing in gentle waves right into autumn.
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ – A hardy perennial known for its upright spires of rich violet-purple flowers held on distinctive dark, almost black stems. Flowering from summer through to autumn, it brings strong vertical interest and bold contrast to borders. The aromatic, grey-green foliage forms neat clumps, making it ideal for structured and contemporary planting schemes. Highly attractive to bees and other pollinators, ‘Caradonna’ thrives in full sun or partial shade and moist but well-drained soil. Easy to maintain, it can be cut back after flowering to encourage repeat blooms. Height and Spread 50cm.
Verbena bonariensis – A tall perennial prized for its slender stems topped with clusters of small, vibrant purple flowers from summer to autumn. The long-blooming flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, adding life and movement to the garden. Its open, upright habit makes it ideal for adding height and structure to the borders, while allowing lower-growing plants to flourish beneath. Thriving in full sun and moist but well drained soil, its graceful presence creates a relaxed, meadow-like feel in any garden. Height 2.5m Spread 50cm.
Climbers
Clematis montana ‘Elizabeth’ – A vigorous grower with pale pink, vanilla scented flowers which contrast against bronze young foliage. Flowering in late spring, the plant will be smothered in flowers, creating a waterfall of flowers when trailing from a tree or support. It will quickly cover walls or pergolas.
Clematis armandi – Clematis armandi is a large, vigorous, evergreen climber with leathery, dark glossy green leaves up to 15cm long and an abundance of single, fragrant creamy-white flowers, up to 5-6cm across, with creamy stamens and hang in clusters in early to mid-spring. This variety is perfect for growing against a sunny west or south-facing wall. Evergreen, it retains its glossy mid-green leaves throughout the year so it’s an excellent choice for screening walls, fences and pergolas. Prefers full sun. Tolerates any soil condition as long as it’s moist and well drained. Final height: 4-8m tall, 1.5-2.5m wide.
Clematis montana var. grandiflora – A vigorous, deciduous climber celebrated for its stunning, pure white flowers that bloom profusely in late spring to early summer. The large, single blooms cover the plant, creating a spectacular, cascading display over walls, pergolas, trellises or fences. Dark green foliage provides a lush backdrop, turning soft yellow in autumn. Grow in full sun or partial shade with roots kept cool in moist but well-drained soil. Clematis montana ‘Grandiflora’ can reach 8-12 metres in height and 4 metres spread, making it ideal for covering large structures and adding abundant seasonal interest.
Exochorda x macrantha ‘The Bride’ – Also known as Pearlbush, Exochorda x macrantha is a popular deciduous shrub covered with showy white flowers in April and May. A small to medium sized bush with a weeping habit. Can be trained against a wall, pergolas, trellises or fences.
Jasminum officinale ‘Clotted Cream’ – A deciduous climber with very fragrant, cream flowers in summer and early autumn. They are admired for their perfume, vigorous growth and graceful appearance.
Wisteria brachybotrys ‘Okayama’ – This Japanese wisteria which also goes by the name of ‘Yokohama Fuji’, is another anticlockwise twining cultivar. Leaves are up to 35cm long with about 11 downy leaflets and flowers hang in sprays 10-15cm long. The April – June floral display is highly impressive as scented flowers open from rich violet buds to pale lilac. The bean-like seedpods are velvety and up to 20cm long. Grow in any moist well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Like other wisteria, this variety will need support, pruning and training to retain its shape.
Wisteria floribunda ‘Domino’ – Japanese wisteria ‘Domino’ is a beautiful deciduous, clockwise-twining climber, with masses of fragrant, lilac-blue, scented pea-like flowers, produced in late spring/early summer in short trusses about 20cm long. Fantastic for early pollinators, this super bee-friendly plant is seen mostly trained up the front of houses but is also a worthy choice for training up walls, fences and pergolas and can even be grown as half-standards to create a stunning umbrella effect. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Wisteria floribunda f. rosea ‘Hon-beni’ – A stunning deciduous climber renowned for its spectacular cascading flower racemes and vigorous growth. In late spring to early summer, it produces abundant, fragrant clusters of soft pink to lilac blooms that hang elegantly from trained branches, creating a breathtaking display. Its vigorous, twining habit makes it ideal for pergolas, arches, walls, or trained over structures, while lush green foliage provides summer interest once the flowers fade. ‘Honbeni’ thrives in full sun or partial shade with moist but well-drained soil. Combining dramatic floral impact, scent, and architectural beauty, it is a show-stopping feature in any garden.
Shrubs
Calycathus ‘Venus’ – Calycanthus ‘Venus’ is a stunning deciduous shrub admired for its unique flowers and elegant form. From late spring into summer, it produces large, magnolia-like blooms with creamy white petals, a hint of pink, and a deep maroon centre. The glossy green foliage provides a lush backdrop, turning golden-yellow in autumn for added seasonal interest. With a height and spread of 2.5–4m, ‘Venus’ makes an excellent feature plant for borders. It thrives in moist but well-drained soil and performs best in a sheltered position with full sun to partial shade.
Calycanthus ‘Aphrodite’ – A deciduous shrub known for its captivating fragrance. With a compact and rounded form, this variety produces large, bright red to purple flowers with a sweet, fruity scent that attracts pollinators. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the aromatic blossoms stand out against the glossy, dark green foliage. Height 4m Spread 2.5m. Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in a sheltered position from cold, drying winds. Full sun or partial shade.
Choisya × dewitteana White Dazzler – Commonly known as Mexican Blossom this highly fragrant evergreen shrub is a useful addition to any garden. Mound forming this neat shrub is exceptionally free flowering in spring and often late summer into autumn.
Height and Spread 1 metre. Grow in a sunny sheltered aspect on well drained soil.
Pittosporum tobira ‘Neige du Mont Ventoux’ – Pittosporum tobira ‘Neige de Mont Ventoux’ is an elegant variegated evergreen shrub prized for its compact, rounded habit and foliage. The glossy green leaves are edged with creamy white, creating year-round colour and texture in the garden. In spring, it produces clusters of highly fragrant, creamy-white flowers that attract pollinators and fill the air with scent. Slow-growing and low-maintenance, it is ideal in borders. Thriving in full sun or partial shade with moist but well-drained soil. Height and Spread 1m.
Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’ (Mock Orange) – A beautiful flowering plant which is a member of the hydrangea family. Known for its large, showy and highly-scented flowers that bloom in the summertime, it’s relatively easy to care for and does not require much maintenance.
Rhododendrons – Few shrubs spark as much seasonal excitement as this acid‑loving woodland dweller, a plant that seems to wake the forest with colour. Named from the Ancient Greek for “rose tree,” the Rhododendron boasts more than 1,024 species, each one a master of dramatic entrances. When spring arrives, it erupts into lavish clusters of large, often trumpet‑shaped blooms, a riot of colour so abundant and vibrant it can transform an entire landscape into a living, breathing spectacle.
Ornamental Trees
Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘China Girl’ (Flowering Dogwood) – This large shrub/small tree is vigorous and very free-flowering from a young age. Small clusters of tiny, greenish flowers appear in summer surrounded by large, showy, white bracts, followed by fleshy, deep pink strawberry like fruit. Its dark green, oval leaves turn red and orange in autumn. A highly recommended addition to your garden to add interest.
Cornus kousa ‘Milky Way’ (Flowering Dogwood) – One of our favourites, this is a real statement/feature tree. Large cream coloured petal-like bracts effectively look like flowers which smoother the tree in June creating an unmistakable display, resulting in strawberry like fruits that appear alongside beautiful autumn colour. Height and spread 4-8 metres. Plant in moist but well drained, sunny/partial shade position.
Cornus kousa ‘Cherokee’ (Flowering Dogwood) – A deciduous tree prized for its spectacular spring display. In late spring, large showy white bracts surround clusters of tiny central flowers, creating a bold and elegant feature. Fresh green foliage forms a neat, spreading canopy through summer, before turning rich red and purple tones in autumn. Ideal as a specimen tree, Cornus ‘Cherokee’ thrives in well-drained, neutral to acidic soil in full sun or partial shade, where it will flourish beautifully.
Cornus kousa ‘Teutonia’ (Flowering Dogwood) – Cornus kousa ‘Teutonia’ is a beautiful small deciduous tree valued for its elegant shape and long season of interest. In summer it is covered in large, creamy white bracts that sit proudly above the foliage, giving a light, airy appearance. These are followed by attractive strawberry-like fruits in autumn, loved by wildlife. The dark green leaves turn rich shades of red and purple in the autumn, adding another layer of colour. With its refined habit and excellent resilience, ‘Teutonia’ is ideal as a specimen tree in gardens large or small. Height and Spread 4-8m. Prefers well drained neutral to acidic soil in full sun or partial shade.
Cornus × elwinortonii Venus (‘Kn30 8’) (Flowering Dogwood) – This vigorous Cornus has possibly the largest ‘flowers’ (they are actually bracts) of all the flowering dogwoods. These showy creamy-white bracts are up to 15cms across so this tree can be admired from afar aswell as up close. Strawberry like fruits follow in autumn along with attractive red, orange and purple coloured leaves. The RHS have given this its Award of Garden Merit (AGM) and its also great for pollinators too. Height 4-8 metres. Spread 2.5-4 metres. Plant in moist but well drained, sunny/partial shade position.
Heptacodium miconioides (Seven Sons Ornamental Tree) – A deciduous shrub or small tree prized for its unique late-season interest and impressive peeling bark which adds visual appeal throughout the year. As the tree matures, its bark exfoliates in strips, revealing a smooth, light brown or greyish layer beneath. This peeling bark, especially on older stems and trunks, creates a distinctive, textured appearance that contrasts beautifully with the tree’s lush green foliage and vibrant autumn colour. The tree blooms in late summer to early autumn, producing clusters of fragrant, white, tubular flowers that resemble small jasmine blossoms. After flowering, the plant produces distinctive, showy, red calyces, which persist into autumn, giving it a distinctive appearance. An eye-catching addition to the garden. Height 8m Spread 4m. Grow in well drained soil in a sheltered position. Full sun or partial shade.
Trees
Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ – This pretty Hawthorn has a lovely flush of double, pink-red flowers that appear around May when many other spring blossom trees have finished. A fabulous tree, it won the First Class Certificate in 1858 and the Award of Garden Merit in 2002. This small but tough tree is quite resilient and will perform fine in most soils, from very dry to wet conditions. It can take a while to root after planting, so we recommend light pruning of the crown in the first few years to ensure long term stability.
Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Aureomarginatum’ (Tulip Tree) – This is an elegant, deciduous tree prized for its distinctive foliage and striking presence. The unusual, shaped leaves are soft green with golden-yellow margins, adding light and contrast throughout the growing season. In early summer greenish-yellow, tulip-like flowers with orange markings appear followed by the leaves turning warm shades of yellow in autumn. This cultivar is best suited to larger gardens or parkland settings. Thriving in moist but well-drained neutral to acidic soil in full sun or partial shade, it makes a superb specimen tree.
Paulownia tomentosa (Foxglove tree) – A deciduous tree with large, ovate leaves and fragrant, light lilac-purple flowers in spring. Unusually, this tree forms its flowerbuds the previous season and so flowering is dependant on the overwintering buds not being damaged by a late frost. Can also be pollared annually to promote vigorous growth and extra large leaves upto 60cm or more accross. 9-12m tall at maturity.
Juglans regia (Walnut tree) – This is a large, deciduous tree valued for its handsome form and edible nuts. It has long green leaves that emerge late in spring, followed by small green flowers and rounded walnuts in autumn. Ideal for large gardens, parks and estates, it grows best in full sun and is adaptable to most soil types, provided conditions are well drained and not prone to waterlogging. Typically reaching 20+metres in height with a broad, spreading canopy, making it an impressive specimen tree.
Design Ideas
Plan your planting scheme to include colour, movement, height and texture for best effect. In early summer, Philadelphus offers a neutral backdrop of white, heavily scented flowers to other border plants such as roses.
Jobs for June
- Hoe borders regularly to keep down weeds
- Be water-wise, especially in drought-affected areas
- Position summer hanging baskets and containers outside
- Mow lawns at least once a week, weather dependent
- Plant out summer bedding
- Stake tall or floppy plants
- Prune many spring-flowering shrubs
- Shade greenhouses to keep them cool and prevent scorch
Feeling inspired?
If you would like to start the first step of your journey with us then get in touch to book our consultancy service.
For just £75*, our experienced horticulturalists will provide tailored guidance to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re interested in fast-growing solutions for quick impact, seeking the enduring beauty of evergreen plants or looking to add colour and fragrance, we can offer expert advice.
**£75 fee applies if you live within a 15-mile radius of our office. Additional fees apply outside this area. All costs include VAT.