Looking for suggestions for summer flowering shrub

Hi, I am new here. I am fairly novice when it comes to gardening. I tend to grow things mainly in containers so I can take them with me when I move and also because I like being able to move them about.

My actual garden (ie not those in tubs) mainly consists of Rhododendrons a, a Mahonia and a couple of Wisteria, but I am conscious that these all flower in spring so after that my garden tends to be just 'green', apart from a deep red climbing rose at the side of the garage. I also have a couple of sycamores in tubs which have seeded themselves and a few other plants which have seeded themselves but which I have no idea what they are.

I am looking for suggestions for shrubs or small trees which would give me summer colour and scent. Preferably evergreen. I am a bit fussy when it comes to the aesthetics of a plant though and I only like things which have a certain shape or look to them.

I don't like variegated leaves, I prefer thick waxy leaves such as those on Camelias, Rhododendrons, etc. I also would prefer flowers not to be trumpet shaped - I love the shape on Camelias, etc. Re colours, I am open to suggestions but don't like anything too garish.

I live just outside Manchester so it rains a lot and the past couple of winters have been very cold and snowy, so it would need to be something pretty hardy.

I would really welcome your suggestions. Thanks in advance for your help

 

A few of the hydrangea family would make your shortlist and I think some of the dwarfing varieties e.g. hydrangea macrophylla "Ami Pasquier", can be container grown (in a big container, mind you).

 

Thanks very much for the advice, will have a look into Hydrangeas

 

Hello Merleworld
have a look at Choisya - mexican orange blossom , and Ceanothus - Californian lilac . These are 2 evergreen shrubs with kind of waxy leaves

choisya aztec pearl - Google Search

californian lilac ceanothus thyrsiflorus - Google Search

 

I'd second the californian lilac, my fave shrub is salvia hotlips, not evergreen but very bright with masses of flowers.

Cheers
D