The crabapples, lilacs and peonies are all done blooming and summer is just around the bend!. It seems to be monsoon season now. There are a more and more gorgeous plants blooming all the time. Japanese Tree Lilacs, like 'Summer Charm' (shown top-right), are deliciously fragrant and beautiful right now. They are small trees, measuring about 25' tall and 15-25' wide- depending on the variety. These lilacs are extremely tough and forgiving of less that desirable circumstances. That said, they require full sun and dislike wet feet.

Another sweetly scented June bloomer is the mockorange. My favorite variety is 'Miniature Snowflake' (pictured bottom-left). This little beauty only gets 1-2' wide and 2-3' tall. It is the perfect foundation plant for underneath a kitchen or living room window where its fragrance can really be enjoyed. It will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Keep this shrub evenly moist and protect it from tattering winds for best results.

Weigelas, shrub roses and spireas are all hitting their peak right now. It is hard to compete with the flowers, but a new favorite of mine hasn't even started blooming yet. Pictured at the bottom-right is 'Sem' Ash Leaf Spirea. Its intriguing texture and technicolor foliage won me over. Shade tolerance and a functional size add to its landscape potential.