Perennial Plants for a Summer Garden
Introduction
Perennial plants are a great choice for gardeners because they come back year after year. They come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, and they can add beauty and interest to your garden all season long. However, not all perennials bloom for the same amount of time. Some only bloom for a few weeks, while others can bloom for months. If you want to have a garden that is full of color all summer long, it is important to choose perennials that have a long blooming period.
Choosing Perennials for Summer
When choosing perennials for your summer garden, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider the amount of sunlight your garden gets. Some perennials prefer full sun, while others can tolerate partial shade or even full shade. Second, think about the size and shape of the plants you want. Some perennials are small and compact, while others can grow quite large. Finally, consider the color and bloom time of the plants. You want to choose perennials that will bloom at different times throughout the summer so that you always have something in bloom.
Long-Lasting Perennials for Summer Gardens
There are many different perennials that bloom all summer long. Some of the most popular choices include:
- Spiderwort: This is a tuberous plant that will multiply and spread to fill in a space. The flowers are generally purple to blue or magenta, and bloom each afternoon through the late summer.
- Astilbe: This is a great choice for long-lasting blooms in a shady spot. It produces pretty foliage, reminiscent of ferns, as well as feathery flowers that may be white, red, or pink.
- Stella d’Oro daylily: This is a popular variety of daylily because unlike most others, it re-blooms. The flower stalks are shorter than those of other daylilies, but they will produce pretty golden yellow flowers over and over again.
- Double hollyhock: These Alcea hybrids grow up to 7 feet (2 m.) tall, thrive in full sun, and will give you large, show-stopping yellow, pink, or red flowers.
- Clematis: This is a climbing flower that blooms all season long. It produces colorful flowers and likes to be in the sun, but grows best with the roots in the shade.
- Purple coneflower: Also known as Echinacea, purple coneflower is a tall perennial that produces light purple flowers. You can expect to get the flowers throughout the summer and into fall.
- Black-eyed Susan: Similar to coneflower, black-eyed Susan produces blooms in the summer and into the fall. They grow tall and bloom in deep golden yellow with dark brown centers.
- Shasta daisy: With evergreen foliage in many areas and cheery summer blooms, you basically cannot go wrong with Shasta daisy plants. Keep them deadheaded and they will reward you with continual flowers on up into early autumn.
Creating a Summer Garden with Continuous Blooms
Once you have chosen the perennials for your summer garden, it is time to start planning how you will arrange them. You want to create a garden that is visually appealing and that has something in bloom all season long. Here are a few tips for creating a summer garden with continuous blooms:
- Plant perennials in groups: Planting perennials in groups will create a more dramatic effect and will help to attract pollinators.
- Use a variety of colors and textures: When choosing perennials for your summer garden, be sure to use a variety of colors and textures. This will create a more interesting and visually appealing garden.
- Plant perennials that bloom at different times: To ensure that you always have something in bloom in your summer garden, plant perennials that bloom at different times throughout the season.
- Deadhead spent flowers: Deadheading spent flowers will encourage the plants to produce more flowers.
Conclusion
With a little planning, you can create a summer garden that is full of color and beauty all season long. By choosing perennials that have a long blooming period and planting them in groups, you can create a garden that is both visually appealing and attractive to pollinators.
