Top 5... summerflowering shrubs

These colourful varieties for sun and shade will just keep their blooms coming!

1 Hydrangeayga paniculatap ‘Vanille Fraise’ Tall shrub with heads of white flowers, pink tinted with age. Suits any soil sun or shade. H/S: 1.8m (6ft). Tip Prune to 10cm (4in) in late winter to keep bushy, with larger flowers. From www. crocus.co.uk, tel: 01344 578111.

2 Hibiscus syriacusyr ‘Blue Bird’ Deciduous shrub, with elegant foliage and large, trumpet-shaped blossoms from late summer. Any well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered spot. H: 3m, S: 1.8m (6ft). Tip Ideal for creating a sub-tropical effect with other hardy exotics. From www. crocus.co.uk, tel: 01344 578111.

3 Clethra alnifoliaf ‘Ruby Spice’ Upright, suckering, deciduous shrub with blue-green leaves and pale pink, sweetly-scented flowers in July and August. H/S: 2.5m (8ft). Prefers acid, moist, well-drained soil in part-shade. Tip Avoid open, exposed sites in colder locations. From www. burncoose.co.uk, tel: 01209 860316.

4 Buddleia ‘Miss Ruby’ Vibrant red-pink flowers throughout summer. Almost sterile, so no seedlings. Any soil in sun. H/S: 1.8m (6ft). Tip Remove spent flower spikes to keep bush looking neat. From www. thompson-morgan.co.uk, tel: 0333 400 0033.

5 Calycanthus floridus Bushy, deciduous shrub with aromatic leaves. Small, maroon, apple-scented flowers from June. Rich soil with organic matter. Sun or part-shade. H/S: 1.8m (6ft). Tip Protect young plants from late frost until established. From www. burncoose.co.uk, tel: 01209 860316.