Can someone suggest a summer flowering, mid-sized shrub that will tolerate partial shade?

[Impret-Sir]

Please?

[logman]

The first thing to spring to mind was, Azaleas

[Impret-Sir]

Thanks for that, but I forgot to mention, I dont have an acid soil.

[Clanad]

I'd recommend a Mock Orange or a dwarf variety. They are quite hardy, the blossoms are white , smallish flowers with a very sweet aroma attracting early butterflies. Our's reaches a height of around 5 feet, but it's some 15 years old. It's planted at the base of a large Ash tree so gets limited direct sun. It does require occasional (every 2 to 3 years) pruning to shape, but is very self-reliant otherwise. The blooms last from May through late June. Dwarf varieties reach perhaps 3 to 4 feet...

[Buenchico]

I hate gardening!

I know nothing at all about gardening!

So why am I posting in response to your question?

'Cos I know about this superb resource for people like you:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantselector/default.aspx

Chris

(PS: You can ignore the log-in details for RHS members at the top of the page. Anyone can use this resource - it's just that RHS members will be offered an even wider selection of plants).

[andyjevs]

Most shrubs will be happy in partial shade....i'd probably go for the mock orange (philadelphus) as mentioned or Choisya, lilacs, Euonymous, Buddlea, Osmanthus Delaveyii or even phormium.

Some of the ornamental Elderberries are very attractive especially the dark leaved or golden ones.

[Impret-Sir]

Thanks very much for all those suggestions. (How can anybody hate gardening?!)

[logman]

I did wonder about your PH levels afterwoods Impret-sir But you can grow them on border-line to nutral soils if you encourage them right from the start with plenty of ericacious compost and leaf mould, forked into the planting hole, but if its really chalky in your neck of the woods then why fight nature ?

clanad's answer- mock orange (Philadelphus)is a good one and will do well in acid or alcaline soil types in a lightly shaded site.

Anotherone you may like to check out is Elaeagnus, which is not at all fussy about soil types or light levels..

[Impret-Sir]

Thanks again, a mock orange it is, Im thinking.