An Elegant Summer Garden Idea with Hydrangea, Rose and Astilbe

Plant Combinations, Summer Borders, Fall Borders

This elegant summer garden is rich in texture and interest and features a pretty mix of award-winning shrubs and perennials. Sitting at the back of the lush planting, Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ (Smooth Hydrangea) shows off with its large, luminous white blossoms. Blooming for up to 2 months, it makes an excellent partner for Rosa ‘Ballerina’. Although this shrub rose is lightly fragrant, it blooms through summer and produces graceful sprays of small, pink, white-eyed flowers, which mingle with the brilliant white flower plumes of Astilbe ‘Deutschland’ (Astilbe japonica). Long-lasting, they turn a rich caramel color, providing winter interest to the garden.

A few dark purple-colored plants add contrast and power to this combination: the evergreen Heuchera ‘Plum Royale’ (Coral Bells) with its shimmering foliage, and Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’ (Black Cherry Plum), which boasts some of the darkest purple leaves and twigs.

Most plants are recipients of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. Easy to grow, they will attract the interest of butterflies. Enjoy!

Garden Information

Hardiness	6 - 8
Heat Zones	6 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Maintenance	Average
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Loam
Soil pH	Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

Plants In This Garden

Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' (Smooth Hydrangea)

A favorite of many gardeners – and deservedly so – Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ (Smooth Hydrangea) is an outstanding flowering shrub. In early summer, this small, bushy deciduous shrub produces huge, rounded flower clusters, up to 12 in. across (30 cm), that brighten shady areas and bring life to the garden. Blooming for up to two months, the blossoms open lime-green, mature to brilliant white, then back to pale green in late summer before switching to a tan shade in the fall.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)
Spread	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)

Rosa 'Ballerina' (Hybrid Musk Rose)

Reliable and free-flowering, award-winning Rosa ‘Ballerina’ is a compact, rounded shrub with large sprays of slightly fragrant, single, soft pink flowers adorned with white centers. Blooming continuously from summer to fall, they are produced in great quantities and stand out against the attractive foliage of light green leaves. Loved around the world, ‘Ballerina’ is a charming and versatile hybrid musk rose

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)

Astilbe 'Deutschland' (Japonica Hybrid)

An excellent Astilbe variety that should be grown in all gardens, Astilbe ‘Deutschland’ (Astilbe japonica) features masses of luminous, pure white, pyramidal-shaped flower plumes that stand out in the night garden. Quite showy, they rise gracefully in early to mid-summer, on strong, erect flowering stems above an attractive mound of fern-like deep green, glossy foliage.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Polystichum setiferum (Soft Field Fern)

Bringing attention to its unusual soft green foliage, Soft Field Fern almost asks to be touched!

Hardiness	6 - 8
Exposure	Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Heuchera 'Plum Royale' (Coral Bells)

One of the first varieties of Coral Bells to retain its shimmering purple leaves throughout summer, Heuchera ‘Plum Royale’ sports a lovely foliage of large, deeply cut, ruffled plum-purple leaves with silver overtones in winter. The more sun this Heuchera gets, the more intense its purple coloration.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	10" - 2' (25cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' (Black Cherry Plum)

Adding drama to the garden, Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’ (Black Cherry Plum) is a medium-sized, round-headed deciduous tree with a striking presence in the landscape, whether in bloom or not. This plum tree boasts some of the darkest purple leaves and twigs. Emerging bronze in spring, they turn almost black in the summer before turning orange and red in fall.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)

How Many Plants Do I Need?

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

Astilbe Heuchera (Coral Bells) Hydrangea Prunus (Cherry Tree) Rosa (Shrub Roses) Rosa (Rose)

Get Garden Design Ideas

Search Gardens

Alternative Plants to Consider

Rosa Skylark (English Rose)

Heuchera ‘Plum Pudding’ (Coral Bells)

Astilbe ‘Bridal Veil’ (Arendsii Hybrid)

Hydrangea arborescens Incrediball® (Smooth Hydrangea)

GAP Photos//Robert Mabic

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.