August is a fantastic month for flowering shrubs in the arboretum, our Head Gardener points out what to look for…

Hydrangeas are abundant this year, showcasing a wide variety. The Hydrangea aspera Villosa Group features large mauve flowers to the sides of Rockery Bridge. You can expect stunning blooms from Hydrangea paniculata cultivars, particularly ‘Phantom,’ ‘Early Sensation,’ and ‘Great Star,’ each displaying diverse flower styles and shapes. Additionally, Hydrangea macrophylla varieties ‘Lanarth White’ and ‘Juno’ display lovely lace caps with white and pink flowers, respectively. Hydrangea serrata and lace cap varieties will also be in bloom, alongside the bright yellow flowers of Telekia speciosa near the stream.

Clerodendron bungei boasts sweet-scented pink flowers that may last until the autumn.

Rose hips are starting to appear, with hints of red on several specimens, including R. moyesii ‘Geranium,’ Rosa sericea, and Rosa rugosa.

Look out for the waxy red and orange sorbus berries, especially Sorbus commixta, which can be seen in Seven Leys.

 

Lastly, Poliothyrsis sinensis, commonly known as Chinese Pearlbloom, is expected to be particularly fruitful this year, producing white buds that open into tiny, fragrant greenish-white flowers arranged in conical clusters around mid-August. You can find them just below Rockery Bridge.