Perfect Perennial Pairings for Summer Color with Trees & Shrubs
Posted by Annie Algren on Jul 19th 2026
Perfect Perennial Pairings for Summer Color in Trees & Shrubs
Summer is the season of lush growth and vibrant color, and there's no better way to celebrate it than by thoughtfully pairing trees and shrubs that work in harmony to create a striking landscape. These perfect tree and shrub pairings offer structure, texture, and a stunning array of blooms and hues that evolve as the season progresses.
Weigela
Attributes
A medium-sized, deciduous shrub with dense green, purple, or variegated foliage
Growth Habit
Dense, rounded, upright
Soil Type
Loam, will tolerate clay
Bloom Color
Red, Purple, Pink, White
Size
3-6’ H x 3-6’ W
Bloom Time
Late Spring to Early Summer
Use
Excellent in foundation planting, shrubby borders, or used as a specimen plant in sunny landscapes
Maintenance
Prune lightly after Spring blooms fade if desired: remove 1/3 of the oldest branches at the base of the plant every few years for rejuvenation
Benefits
Drought tolerant, attracts pollinators (especially hummingbirds!), offers shelter for wildlife
Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
Attributes
A large deciduous shrub that blooms huge, long-lasting conical or lace cap flower panicles on new growth, often blooming one color before fading to another throughout the season.
Growth Habit
Upright multi-stemmed or tree form
Soil Type
Loam, will tolerate clay
Bloom Color
Pink, Red, White, Green
Size
3-8’ H x 3-6’ W
Bloom Time
Early Summer to Fall
Use
Excellent as a specimen plant, foundation planting, or massed as a hedge
Maintenance
Prune back by 1/3 in late Winter or early Spring
Benefits
Attracts pollinators, cut flowers, dried blooms offer winter interest, improves soil structure
Summer Sweet (Clethra)
Attributes
A deciduous, North American-native shrub with dark green foliage and fragrant bottlebrush flower spikes that grow up to a foot long.
Growth Habit
Mounding
Soil Type
Sandy Loam, will tolerate clay
Bloom Color
White or Pink
Size
4-6’ H x 3-5’ W
Bloom Time
Mid to Late Summer
Use
Thrives in woodland gardens, foundation plantings, mixed shrubby borders, pollinator gardens, and near ponds or other water features
Maintenance
Prune in early spring if desired, remove up to 1/3 of oldest stems to the ground for rejuvination if desired
Benefits
Salt and wet-tolerant, resistant to deer & rabbits, attracts a wide variety of pollinators, improves soil structure, vibrant Fall color, seed pods offer Winter interest
If you would like assistance picking out perfect perennial pairings for Summer color with trees and shrubs, feel free to stop in and ask! Otherwise, email us at hello@tonkadale.com - we're here to help!
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