By Dennis Patton

Summer’s arrival usually means we spend more time indoors to beat the heat. However, we still long to see brightly colored, cheerful flowers. Hot, dry conditions can take a toll on the glory and splendor of spring color. Thankfully, summer is not limited to shades of green or crispy brown.

Adding plants for summer blooms takes advanced planning. Perhaps plan some eye-popping color accents and place your choices in locations that can be viewed from the comfort of your home.

Let’s look at a few options of flowering shrubs currently coming into their glory.

Panicle hydrangeas start to flower in July, and the blooms can last well into fall. Panicle hydrangeas range from a few feet to over 6 feet, depending on the variety. They bloom on new spring growth, meaning the flowers are not winterkilled like other species. Blooms are white and often fade to tinges of pink, especially in a cooler summer. This hydrangea does best with a half-day sun or even full sun with good moisture. They will not tolerate a dry, shady location.

Crepe myrtle is thought of as a southern plant where they can become small trees. This far north, they usually winterkill to the ground. Please don’t give up on their return, as it can be into May before new growth is observed coming from the base.

As the name implies, the flowers have a crepe-like texture. Brilliant hues of reds, purples, pinks and white adorn the tips of the branches. Depending on the variety, they can reach from a few feet to over a head tall. A note of caution, dwarf varieties tend to be less durable in our climate and often do not survive the winter. Accustomed to the South, they tend to be heat and drought tolerant.

Another local favorite is the butterfly bush. They provide nectar for passing butterflies and are also a visual delight. They bloom in pink, white, magenta and an array of purple or blue hues. They are often the first consideration when planning for butterflies.

This subshrub or dwarf-shrub can winterkill like crepe myrtle. Patience is required as you wait for spring growth to emerge slowly from the base. Wait until new growth appears, then remove the deadwood to freshen the plant. The plant does best in full sun and even moisture.

Similar to the butterfly bush is another small shrub with strange common names: Bluebeard, Blue Mist Spirea or Caryoptris. This plant can experience winter dieback but, with pruning, returns to flower in July and August. Cut the entire plant back by half each spring to encourage new growth. The new growth develops gray-blue flowers. As a bonus, pollinators are attracted to the flowers. Caryoptris does best in full sun but will take some light shade. Like most summer shrubs, flowering shrubs will do best with even moisture.

Not a shrub, but another fun plant for summer color is the perennial hibiscus. This hibiscus returns each year covered in huge summer flowers. Perennial hibiscus should not be confused with the summer tropical version often found in pots on patios.

The selling point of perennial hibiscus is the flowers, often the size of a dinner plate, in shades of pink, red, lavender and white. The foliage can be green or reddish, which adds another feature. Cut back to the ground each spring and wait for flowers to appear in July . As a perennial plant, it dies back to the ground each winter, with all new growth coming from below ground.

Summer color is ours for the taking. However, it does take a little strategy to keep the color and cheer of a vibrant spring thriving in the landscape while we retreat indoors for a respite from the heat.

Dennis Patton is horticulture agent at the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Office.