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Standard flowering shrub for afternoon sun

last year

last modified: last year

Hey folks,

I'd like to plant a flowering standard.. something that will bloom in late spring to summer. The location does't receive sun until around 1 pm however. The sun hits the spot for most of the afternoon.. maybe 4 or 5 good afternoon hours. Well-drained soil, Z5A. So what will dependably bloom in this spot and look reasonably attractive most of the growing season?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

last year

The most commonly planted flowering shrub trained as a standard would be some form of Hydrangea paniculata. And as long as they receive enough sun, they can grow anywhere from zone 3 on up. However their primary bloom season runs from midsummer through to fall so may be later to flower than you prefer.

Other popular tree-form shrubs are Miss Kim or other dwarf lilacs, ninebark, rose of Sharon, chaste tree, dappled willow, elderberry, roses, weigela and flowering quince.

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Comments (9)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
How tall do you want? A standard shrub is effectively a small tree. Have you looked at those? A geographical location is also useful since zones only tell us about winter temperatures. They say nothing about your summers.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
splaker??? .....whats it been about 10 years since ive seen that name??... rural NY??? .. zone isnt enough info ..

does ground freeze in your z5? ... why is a standard important..

how about a pic or two of the spot???

ken
splaker thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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splaker
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Southern Ontario, CANADA . Winters similar to Buffalo, Michigan, but a lot less snow cover than Buffalo. We are at least a zone colder than Biuffalo too.. summer mid to upper 80s and 90s common.. humid... winters on the cold side by US standards... but mild by Cdn standards!

Height - pretty open about that - I guess nothing exceeding 10'. I have a hysdgrangea there now that is underperforming and attracts a lot of stinging insects that i am allergic to... close to our patio area so something that doesn't attact hornets and wasps... I think i have pink diamond there now... I don't like it, neither the flowers or it's mediocre performance after 2+ years... Limelight might be what I want.. or perhaps a double knockout rose (standard..) but will DKO rose flower well with mid afternoon sun? It's shaded til 1 PM

If DKO rose works for the site, I do like the idea of a long, repeat bloom time
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
last year
There's virtually nothing that is going to stay in bloom for months and months. Plant different things with staggered bloom times and you'll always have color.

Personally I would not site a rose where it doesn't get sun until afternoon- the damp mornings would last too long before the sun dried the leaves.
splaker thanked cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
must have been another splaker ... oh well ...
splaker thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
pennlake
last year
What about the current hydrangea tree performance is mediocre? I wouldn't expect Limelight to perform any differently. While not as many as Pink Diamond, it too has fertile flowers and will attract the same sorts of insects.

I've seen Bloomerang dark purple on a standard so you'd get the full spring bloom plus whatever flowers it throws later in the summer/fall.
splaker thanked pennlake
splaker
Original Author
last year
I have been thinking about it some more and I've thought about taking a different approach to what I could/should plant there.. I was thinking connical yew - not the most glamorous but a workhorse, neat appearance, easily controlled and would do fine with the type of sun/shade conditions I have in this spot.. would also give me some xtra privacy from a nosy neighbor.
maackia
last year
last modified: last year
Do you experience deer browse? Rutgers lists Taxus as "D," which means they can be severely damaged by deer. You do Yew, but if deer pressure exists, you might be disappointed.

Physocarpus 'Diablo' comes in tree form. I have the shrub form, but they are about as tough a plant as you'll find and can handle sun and part shade. Bloom time should be what you're looking for, and the seed heads are ornamental.

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