The best time to plant is in the fall, so keep this list and start digging come September or October. Some of these top ten summer plants are natives, while some are drought tolerant and some attract butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. All of the perennials listed below may need a bit of pampering in their baby stage but after the first year, they'll perform beautifully with out much maintenance. When you choose the right plants for your region and the specific conditions of your property you are not only going to be a happier, less exhausted gardener but your yard will enhance biodiversity and conserve water. Check with your local plant nursery which of these plants will thrive in your climate zone.
- Tree Mallow (Lavatera Thuringiaca)
These gorgeous Rosy-lavender colored flowers resemble single hollyhocks but instead of a single stalk, you get a proud, evergreen, flowing bush that can grow 3-6 feet tall. Mallows need well-drained soil and do best in full sun but some will tolerate partial shade.
- Marigold (Tagetes)
T. Lemmonii is a shrubby perennial California native. It asks for so little attention, yet it’s always there blooming its sweet gold daisy-like flowers, smiling up at you bursting with joy! Likes Full sun, regular watering and grows into a full bush from 3-5 feet tall and wide. The leaves have a scent of marigold, mint and lemon combined.
- Shasta daisy-Chrysanthemum (C.maximum)
These daisies stand tall, from 2-4 feet, and begin to bloom right after the springtime rose display is beginning to fade out.They are also very easy to divide in fall or early spring and make 3-5 more plants out of one older plant. They love sun but can also do quite well in light shade.
- Scented Geranium (Pelargonium)
(P.graveolens) blooms all summer long with sweet little pink flowers and a fragrance of rose perfume when you touch its leaves. Each plant with grow into a small round shrub. It can also survive in light shade.
- Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
B.Davidii or Summer Lilac is the most common Butterfly Bush.These come in dark purple, white and lavender. This is such a magical plant that butterflies flock to. You cut it practically to the ground each spring and then by midsummer it pops up, sometimes 10 feet tall, into an arching, spiky bush with 6 inch long clusters of tiny flower with a subtle lilac scent. Needs little water, once established. Prefers sun but can stand light shade.
- Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)
This sprawling bush requires full sun and little water once established. It can grow 6- 12 feet tall and equally wide if given enough space to fill in. This a great background or filler plant. This evergreen blooms with small light blue phlox-like clusters throughout the spring and summer.
- Penstemon
Penstemon, a West Coast native plant is a beautiful tall perennial with spikes of tubular flowers that resemble phlox. Most grow 2-4 feet tall and come in color choices ranging from reds, blues, deep purple, white and soft pink. These plants also prefer sun but can grow in light shade in hot climates. They need little water and bloom throughout the summer. Don’t smother them with too much water or too-rich soil or they may die on you!
- Yarrow (Achillea)
Another California native, Yarrows are a member of the Daisy family and they are longing to please. Their fern-like foliage is often aromatic and filled with flat flowerheads of small flowers in pale pink, white or lemon. Yarrow does best in full sun but can tolerate light shade as well. Yarrow makes a good cut flower and will survive well in a home bouquet.
- Potato Vine (Solanum)
If you need to cover up a trellis or a wall and you have no time to wait, Potato vine is you vine. It is the vine of the impatient gardener. You can purchase a 1 gallon plant and within 3-6 months, your sprawling evergreen potato vine will take over. Within a year or two, it can quickly grow up to 15 feet.
It loves full sun or partial shade and blooms throughout the summer with small white unscented flowers. It can be pruned almost anytime quite severely and it will come back and take over again.
- Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia Leucantha)
This no nonsense perennial shrub grows from 3-5 feet tall and wide with graceful spikes of grayish green foliage topped with purple flower sets. Mexican Sage thrives in the sun but can also withstand light shade. Can be pruned to the ground after each bloom and will return again. Easy to divide in spring to create more plants.
