  |
|
|
|
Flowers for Summer ColorThe Best Summer Blooming Flowers for your Garden for Flowers and Color All Summer Long
Plant these summer flowers to keep your garden looking fresh and blooming all season: choose from annuals, perennials, shrubs, bulbs, vines and tropical plants.
Many flower gardens look great in spring and early summer but begin to flag when summer heat hits and the sun beats down day in and day out. Sadly, by midsummer, many flower gardens look past their prime. By planting flowers that thrive in heat and bloom in mid to late summer, you can keep your flower garden looking fresh and full of vitality all season long. Here are some prime choices. Annuals for Summer ColorAmong annual flowers, look at cosmos, marigolds, sunflower, tithonia, salvia and flowering vinca for good performance in summer heat. More winners when it comes to tolerating and even thriving during the long hot days of summer include perilla, sun coleus, angelonia, and million bells. Also try some of the less common annuals such as snow in summer, globe amaranth, and coxcomb. (Not sure what annual means? See Annual or Perennial? ) Summer Blooming PerennialsAmong perennials, super summer performers with long bloom periods include Astilbe, daylilies (Hemerocallis), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Gaillardia, garden phlox, Monarda, Rudbeckia, and Perovskia. Verbena bonariensis is one of my favorite summer flowers. Some early blooming perennials will rebloom later in the season if cut back after the early bloom flush. Among these are yarrow (Achillea), Tradescantia, many cranesbills (perennial geraniums), veronicas and salvias. (Not sure what perennial means? See Annual or Perennial? ) Vines that Bloom in SummerDon't forget the wonderful vines that really take off and thrive when the weather turns hot: annuals such as morning glory, cardinal vine, purple hyacinth bean, black eyed Susie, and the night blooming moonflower vine along with the vibrant summer blooming and perennial Campsis radicans or trumpet vine. Certain clematis vines will also rebloom in mid to late summer. Summer Bulbs and Tubers for All Season ColorMany bulbs and tubers thrive in hot weather and bloom prolifically in summer. Look for dahlias, cannas, gladiolus and tuberose for sunny spots. For shade, try some of the terrific foliage plants such as caladiums and taro along with tuberous begonias. Summer Flowering Shrubs for the Flower GardenFlowering shrubs can bring additional bursts of summer color: rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a winner in the summer mixed border, as is the blue-flowered subshrub Caryopteris, along with repeat blooming roses such as the Knock Out series. Butterfly bushes are all time favorites for the summer flower garden as well. Use Flowering Tropical Plants for Summer ColorLast but not least, look to the tropicals for nonstop summer performance. Mandevilla and dipladenia, lantana, hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), datura and brugmansia adore heat and laugh at humidity. Even better, these can be overwintered indoors to enjoy again next summer. All Flower Gardens Articles So Far Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners -- www.provenwinners.com Copyright 2006 Barbara Martin
The copyright of the article Flowers for Summer Color in Flower Gardens is owned by Barbara M. Martin. Permission to republish Flowers for Summer Color in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
