Seven blooming perennial flowers to sow today for a radiant summer bloom:
Let's Spring into Summer:
Summer is here, and it's time to sprinkle some magic into your garden with a vibrant explosion of colors! Planting new species in June not only extends your blooming season but guarantees a kaleidoscope of hues throughout the late summer and early autumn. Here are seven stunning varieties that positively pop in the sun!
1. Butterfly Bliss
Fondly recognized as milkweed, this plant's elegant green leaves are a perfect canvas for its bounteous clusters of vibrant orange flowers, and you can even find varieties in pink, purple, or red, depending on your color scheme. Nurture a haven for pollinators by including butterfly weed - a staple of pollinator gardens - and watch the buzzing action!
Choose a variety indigenous to your area to ensure low-maintenance growth, as it'll thrive in poor soils, do well in drought, and even suits sun-drenched spots. Deadhead the flower heads before they release seeds to prevent the unwanted spread, and you'll be rewarded with a reliable source of blooms year after year.
2. The Globetrotter: Globe Thistle
For an extraterrestrial, ethereal flair, check out globe thistle! Its unique spherical blue bloom is made up of tiny flowers that extend outward from the center, creating a mesmerizing globe effect. With slender, silvery green stems adorned with long spiky leaves, globe thistle adds drama and texture to any garden.
Find varieties that fit your garden's light requirements and are heat-tolerant, while offering instant gratification as they've been already established by a nursery. They'll line paths or form beautiful borders around other plants, adding a whimsical touch to your outdoor space.
3. Queen of the Coneflowers: Coneflower
A gardener's favorite, the coneflower or echinacea is known for its regal cone-shaped blooms. With a large center of seeds surrounded by long, vibrant petals, coneflowers resemble oversized daisies, blooming in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Coneflowers are also great self-seeding candidates: simply deadhead the flowers at the end of the season to control their seed-spread, or let the flowers go to help your garden evolve year after year. Heat, drought, and low-maintenance - this perennial makes a stunning addition to any garden.
4. Shrubby Charm: Hardy Geranium
Hardy geraniums are a reliable choice for June planting, boasting large petalled blooms and a long flowering season. Plant them in full sun or partial shade to create a riot of colors, and select varieties that best suit your garden's light.
To prolong their bloom, cut back some of the plant in midsummer, and pay special attention to watering when first transplanting, as they require more hydration to get settled into their new home.
5. Sunburst Star: Coreopsis
Golden rays come to life in your garden with Coreopsis, also known as basket of gold. Their small but mighty yellow flowers are clustered on slender stalks, making them a great candidate for mass plantings. This low-maintenance, heat-tolerant perennial blooms nonstop until the first frost and can be planted from seed or bought as an already established plant.
6. The Blue Behemoth: Pincushion Flower
Blue bloody fingers and a sweet headache: goodbye, syrups of yore; meet the Pincushion Flower! Its formal name is scabious, but this shocking blue bloom boasts a shape that’s more reminiscent of a sea anemone than a household sewing tool.
Pincushion flowers make a delightful addition to any border, providing soft structure and a pop of color as they bloom from summer throughout the seasons. And with their compact growth, they're ideal for both playful meadow plantings and borders.
7. Herbal Harmony: Anise Hyssop
Step into your herbal haven with anise hyssop, a violet-purple beauty reminiscent of its mint family. Its fragrant flowers have a distinctive herbal scent, especially when placed in direct sunlight. Butterflies and bees adore its nectar, while gardeners enjoy its carefree low-maintenance characteristics.
To welcome anise hyssop into your garden this summer, opt for an already established plant, as it takes two years to flower from seed. Provide full sun or partial shade and watch this perennial thrive in your outdoor oasis!
- Embrace a harmonious lifestyle at home by incorporating herbs like the vibrant anise hyssop into your home-and-garden, serving both as an attractive plant and a delightful culinary herb.
- After a long day, unwind in a serene outdoor space filled with the soothing fragrance of blooming coneflowers, adding a touch of elegance to your garden lifestyle.
