Blooming Shrubs for Sunny Spots

USDA Zone 3 and 4

• The late lilac (Syringa villosa) is a Chinese shrub cold hardy to zones 3 and 4. Taking its name from the fact that it produces its flowers in early June, later than most kinds of lilacs, this shrub grows between 6 and 10 feet tall. The parent species’ flowers are purple-white, but cultivars such as Miss Canada feature pink blooms. Acidic soil in full sun is an ideal setting for late lilac. The lead plant (Amorpha canescens) dies to ground level in cold zones, but it comes back strong once spring warms things up. Lead plant thrives in full sun and displays bluish-purple flowers blooming during the summer months. Lead plant takes its name from the incorrect belief that it grows where lead exists in the ground, reports the Missouri Botanical Garden.

USDA Zones 5 and 6

• During April, a Japanese barberry shrub (Berberis thunbergii) has many small, yellow flowers adorning its thorny twigs. Growing between 3 and 6 feet tall in zones 5 and 6, this native of Japan keeps the colors coming, first with bright-red berries and then with attractive fall foliage. Japanese barberry tolerates pruning, drought and hot weather. Even in zones 5 and 6, Buddleja davidii “Attraction” dies to the ground when winter sets in. This butterfly bush cultivar is perfect for sun-splashed butterfly gardens, growing back in spring to 6 feet. The purple-red flowers show up from June through September, giving butterflies a source of nectar through the summer.

USDA Zones 7 and 8

• The Eastern United States and central and northern sections of Europe are home to the steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa). Also known as hardhack, steeplebush grows in damp, acidic full sun sites, making it suitable for those moist spots in an open landscape in zones 7 and 8. Use it for hedges, foundations or employ it for mass plantings. The shrub generates clusters of rose-purple flowers in the shape of a steeple. Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana) grows well in zones 7 and 8. This shrub rose loves the sun, as well as acidic soil. It tolerates exposure to salt, allowing its use in seaside landscapes. Virginia rose’s pink flowers bloom in June.

USDA Zones 9 and 10

• Going by the nickname of firecracker plant, the coral plant (Russelia equisetifromis ) hails from Mexico. Grow it in zones 9 and 10 as a container plant or plant it as a perennial in medium-moisture soils. Coral plant features many branches, grows to 4 feet high and blooms abundantly, producing brilliant-red flowers with a tubular shape. The hybrid crapemyrtle shrub Lagerstroemia “New Orleans” grows just 12 inches high, good for rock gardens or for ground cover. New Orleans possesses dense branches, dark-green leaves and paperlike purple flowers bloom from June into September.