A summer garden brimming with an array of tropical, bright, and bold blooms is a welcome sight for any eye. However, not all plants, shrubs, and flowers thrive in the summertime, which is why it’s important to do your research.
We’ve listed a few tips and tricks below, all of which promise to help you create a summer garden worth talking about!
Types of plants you can grow in the summer
Summer flowers (summer-flowering plants) boast to add an instant injection of colour to an otherwise minimalistic garden. They not only bring colour to the garden but also an array of wildlife.
For the perfect summer garden, you should choose from annual flowers that bloom all summer long, or you can opt for continuous blooming perennials.
Gloriosa Daisy
Often referred to as the black-eyed Susan, this particular summer flower boasts hot-hued orange petals, embossed with a black center. They can reach an impressive height of 3.5 feet and last all season long.
They’re the ideal option to choose for low-lying bedding plants and create the perfect backdrop for a number of other plants. They also attract a number of beneficial insects to the garden, as well as hummingbirds.
Coreopsis
The name of this plant means to be cheerful. It’s little wonder why, especially when you see their bold and beautiful blooms swaying in the summer breeze. Green-fingered connoisseurs wishing to attract an array of wildlife to their garden, including butterflies, should certainly consider planting Coreopsis.
Their wildflower heritage makes them tolerant of a range of different soil types and dry weather, meaning they can be planted in nearly every summer garden.
Marigolds
Marigolds are exceptionally easy to grow and to care for, making them a popular option for gardeners. As well as attracting a range of beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, they also help to keep harmful insects away from your precious blooms.
Plant them alongside vegetable plots for this purpose, or use them in beds to add an instant splash of color to your summer garden.
Dahlia
These plants come in a range of different shapes and colours. All however boast a distinct ball-shaped flower, surrounded by an array of clustered petals. Different variants grow to different sizes and heights, with some species requiring different needs.
For best results, plant your Dahlia from seed, either behind bedding plants or in front of taller varieties. The end result is a cottage-inspired flower garden that you can be proud of.
Scarlet Sage
If you want to add a beautiful pop of red to your outdoor summer garden, Scarlet Sage (also known as blood sage) is a great option! This wildflower, although an ideal choice for a summer garden, can also survive in harsh conditions, which means it will likely last all year round.
To ensure its hue shines bright, you’ll need to water it regularly. It’s a great option for gardeners wishing to attract the birds and the bees, as they’ll be fascinated by the bright flowers.
Lavender
Lavender boasts an extremely calming fragrance and a pretty purple appearance. To ensure you reap the benefits, place by your front door. When the summer arrives, the flowers really begin to bloom!
This herbaceous perennial, asides from being a pretty garden statement, boasts many uses and benefits. It’s a natural fragrance for both cleaning solutions and handmade soaps.
Periwinkle
This summer flowering plant is able to thrive in almost all soil types and is an easy grower! For flowers that bloom all summer, this particular plant is a great contender. To encourage even more blooms, you should prune your plants regularly.
If you want an abundance of Periwinkles in your garden, you can grow more from cuttings. The flowers will spread quickly when untrimmed, which showcases the need for careful management.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a statement flower. With their hot yellow hue, they are both beautiful and iconic. For a bold injection of colour, plant a variety of these flowers in the garden and watch them bloom throughout the summer months. Different variants all grow to different heights, and they are usually planted from the spring onwards.
They thrive in at least six hours of direct sunshine a day (the clue is in the name) and require nutrient-rich soil – mix yours with manure or compost to provide the best growing conditions.
Shasta daisy
These pretty white summer blooms are named after Mount Shasta, because of their snowy petals. They’re a popular option with gardeners when it comes to planting seasonal flowers, as they promise to bloom all summer long.
They’re also an ideal option to use as cut flowers in a wedding bouquet.
Cornflowers
Said to be the star of a summer flower garden, these pretty shaped blooms boast a rare indigo hue, which promises to brighten up any outdoor space. They’re also edible and look picture-perfect when used in culinary displays.
Gerbera
This herbaceous perennial boasts a series of daisy-like flowers. The most popular variant comes in the shape of the red gerbera, which features a very straight stem.
Asides from being a prevalent choice in a summer garden, they also make a great flower arrangement for a bouquet. These summer plants grow best in well-drained soil.
Alstroemeria
These flowers, with their beautiful blooms, look a little like lilies. They come in a range of hues, with the orange Alstroemeria said to be the most popular style.
Celosia
For best results, plant the Celosia flower in abundance as they feature a series of striking colours, including shades of red and yellow. They’re a great addition to a tropic-style summer garden as they are somewhat unusual.
Hydrangeas
These herbaceous perennials are ideal for any shady areas you wish to fill in your summer garden. They boast a long lifespan and an array of beautiful blue blooms, which look great when teamed with orange flowers.
It’s not uncommon for the hue of this flower to change slightly, especially when planted in soils with different acidity levels.
Wishbone Flowers
Wishbone flowers come in the shape of low-lying flowering plants, complete with delicate cup-like flowers. The colours range from blue and yellow to pink and purple, and all feature yellow markings on the inside of the flower.
They’re an ideal option for those looking to fill spaces at the front of flower beds. It’s important to keep the soil in the bed moist, without saturating it, as this will ensure the blooms stay fresh.
Common issues
Seasonal issues, particularly powdery mildew, are common in the summer months. This fungal disease strikes when conditions are optimal. If you spot white or grey spots on plants that previously appeared healthy, they are likely infected.
A mixture of dry foliage, high humidity, and low light all create the perfect environment for powdery mildew to thrive. In certain cases, this disease will take over entire plants, shrubs, and flowers. The end result? Plant defoliation, twisting, and the browning of leaves. This all leads to fewer flowers.
Thankfully this disease isn’t fatal and can be treated easily. Begin by ensuring the plant has sufficient sunlight and good air circulation. You can also create homemade remedies to treat this disease, including a concoction of skimmed milk, mixed with one part milk and two parts water.
The enzymes in the milk are able to counteract the fungus without damaging the plant.
Useful tips and tricks
When considering what to plant in your summer garden, it’s important to do your research. Think about what colours compliment each other and what plants work well growing alongside one and other.
Certain plants will hog the nutrients from soil and water, which means they are best planted in a flower bed alone, while others will happily sit among an abundance of other shrubs, vegetables, and flowers.
For a summer garden that lasts the entirety of summer, choose long-lasting blooms and plant them at the correct time.
Start growing some plants. Should you prefer flowers or plants, garden centers, and online florists have an abundance of choice, many of which offer same and next day flower delivery.
Sources: duvallhardware.com, homesteading.com
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