Stalwart oak leaf hydrangeas produce panicles of creamy bracts in mid summer, which stay on the shrub as long as early fall, the clusters turning gradually pink, then sepia. The Southeastern native shrub is hardy from zones 5 to 9. (See Hydrangeas: 10 Best Flowering Shrubs to Grow.)
14. Virginia Sweetspire
Like elderflower and ninebark, Virginia sweetspire is another of the native shrubs with white flowers that tolerates dense or damp soils. Its numerous tassels of fleecy summer flowers are often bedecked in pollinators. In fall its narrow leaves blaze deep orange. Virginia sweetspire can be grown from zones 5 to 9.
15. Carolina Allspice
While native species of Carolina allspice (also called sweetshrub) have fairly small burgundy flowers, the large and fragrant ivory petals of the Calycanthus hybrid ‘Venus’ cultivar begin to unfurl in mid-summer and persist for weeks, blooming even in shade. The shrub is hardy from zones 5 to 9.
16. Clethra
The sultry, clove-like scent of sweet pepperbush—Clethra alnifolia—signals the last days of summer, and the turning of the year. The native shrubs compensate by producing copious spires of flowers that are irresistible to bees and butterflies. Shade gardeners rejoice: Like hydrangeas and some viburnums, this is a shrub with white flowers that will bloom in dappled and high shade. Clethra is hardy from USDA zones 3 to 9.
Blooms in the Fall
17. Tea (Yes, That Tea)
Camellia sinensis is the tea-leaf producing shrub. But it’s also remarkably ornamental, with dainty, anemone-like single flowers appearing in fall for several weeks. This tea shrub prefers afternoon shade or dappled shade, needs shelter from winter winds, and is hardy from zones 7 to 9.
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