The first part of July is your inspiration for an explosion of blooms in red, white and blue. But here’s the catch: Why not give these flag-waving colors a loyal reputation by planting low-care shrubs that flower like a flag during the month of July?

These three new plant introductions will have you planting just once, and then enjoying years of dependable summer color. I have tested all three shrubs in my own garden, and I attest that they thrive even in the strong winds and cold winters we experience In Enumclaw.

The red goddess: Calycanthus ‘Aphrodite’

This is an improved variety of sweetshrub with huge, wine-red, magnolia-like blooms that start to appear mid-summer. My Calycanthus is always in flower by the Fourth of July and the fragrance is like sweet apples.

The “Aphrodite” Calycanthus has large shiny leaves and this shrub grew fast in part shade – it is 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide after four years. The size makes a great barrier along the property line. No pruning required and it could also be grown in a large container.

Tip: Looking for something different? Calcanthus was the most asked about shrub when I had garden tours this June. It is unusual but it should be planted more often. Calycanthus is not attractive to deer and very heat tolerant.

White elegance: Hydrangea ‘Fairytrail Bride’

The first ever cascading hydrangea, this pure white lace cap hydrangea grows in a natural horizontal form perfect for hanging baskets, tall urns or a wall or slope. It requires no deadheading. This new hydrangea does need at least 4 hours of sun to generate maximum blooms, but prefers shade from the hot afternoon sun.

I grow my Hydrangea “Fairytrail Bride” in a tall, footed urn and fertilize just once a year when new growth starts in March. This year it is covered with blooms on a shrub that spreads out 3 feet by 3 feet. This blooming bride is spectacular with cascades of flowers that last all summer.

Tip: Don’t make my mistake. I tried pruning just a bit to shape the plant the first two springs and I cut off flower buds. This year I did not prune at all. Twice as many blooms appeared. This type of hydrangea flowers on old wood. So, if you want more blooms, put away those pruners.

True-blue performer: Hydrangea ‘Endless Summer’

The hydrangea that started if all, flowering on both old and new wood so that even if you prune it a bit, or a late spring frost damages flower buds, the “Endless Summer” hydrangea will still flower.

In Western Washington, our soil is naturally acid so the blooms will be naturally blue. You can add lime sulfur to change the pH of the soil and once the soil is more basic, the flowers will be pink. This hydrangea prefers morning sun and afternoon shade. Make sure the soil does not dry out especially the first year after planting.

Tip: There are lots of shrubs with pink flowers (spirea, shrub roses, azaleas and rhododendrons) so celebrate our native soil and embrace the blue blooms on this repeat flowering hydrangea. Add even more intense blue color by making the soil more acid with a rhododendron and azalea fertilizer applied in the spring. The blooms will turn from light blue to navy.