Denny's Soapbox

Summer Bloomers that Wear Well

The majority of colors in most landscapes during the summer are provided by annual flowers that have to be planted each year. While they do provide lots of color, there is another family of blooming plants that are pretty colorful too. Perennials!

Perennials are a group of plants that grow, bloom, and then die back to the ground in late fall only to repeat their growing cycle and bloom again the following year. Some bloom in early to late spring while others bloom during the summer, it’s the summer bloomers - the ones that bloom for weeks to months - that we’ll discuss today.

English Lavender - ‘Hidcote’

Lavender has been a perennial that, in the past, was known more widely as an herb. Its biggest contribution was its special fragrance used in sachets and potpourris. But then came ‘Hidcote’, and now this herb is a hard-working and beautiful garden perennial. ‘Hidcote’ is a compact grower (12 to 15 inches tall) with gray-green foliage and slender deep purple-blue flower spikes. It blooms for about eight weeks. All lavender prefers a sunny location and average soil that drains very well year round.

Gaura – Gaura Lindheimeri

I was introduced to this perennial several years ago. I had heard of it, but didn’t connect one of its common names - whirling butterflies – to its appearance. Then I saw it and said, “Wow, it does look like small butterflies on top of that plant.” It is heat and humidity tolerant, and it grows well without needing the water hose. Gaura is a great plant to use on sunny hillsides that are difficult to water. Keep Gaura blooming longer by cutting off the spent flowers.

Gayfeather - Liatris

An Ohio native, gayfeather - also called blazing star- is a perennial accustomed to the harsh temperature swings of the Midwest. It can take very cold winters and very hot summers; it will also give you loads of rosy-purple vertical spires from July into September. A leafy flower spike pushes upwards from the center of the plant. When the spike reaches its top height, green buds form and start to open from the top of the flower bud down.

Ligularia

Now here is a summer-blooming perennial that is a great for those areas where you have found it difficult to add perennial color and foliage interest. Ligularia is a shade loving plant that comes in several varieties, offering a choice of leaf size and color. Choices of color include yellow to bright orange. Leaf size varies with the variety, but all Ligularia leaves are considered large, bold, and beautiful. Ligularia varieties grow between 3 and 5 feet tall and can spread to 4 feet. Plant under shade trees, around garden pools, or in other shady to morning sun areas where they have some room to spread.

Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisy looks like the ordinary meadow daisy, only much bigger and better. These perennials will bloom and bloom all summer if you deadhead the spent flowers. In the right location – sun and good drainage - Shasta daisies are very easy to grow. There are many cultivated varieties from which to choose. The taller-growing Shasta daisies make for great cut flowers. All bloom from mid-June through September.

Purple Coneflower

The original plant was native to the prairie with pinkish, shuttlecock-shaped flowers. The new selections bloom in many new colors such as oranges, reds, salmon, white, and yellow in the flower shape of a daisy. They attract both butterflies and gold finch and make perfect cut flowers.

Daylily Hybrids

Although not true lilies, they get their common name from the flower that looks like a lily and each flower blooms for a day. Daylilies like a half day or more of sun. Different varieties bloom at different times during the summer. For those varieties which have already bloomed by mid-August, prune back the spent blooms and all the foliage to 4 inches high and they’ll grow back and bloom again.

Coral Bells

Considered an ‘old time’ perennial, this family now has some very beautiful new additions with such varieties as Georgia Peach, Southern Comfort, Midnight Rose, Miracle and many other varieties with purple to red leaves. This evergreen perennial does very well in shade to sun and grows to 10 inches high and wide.

Coreopsis

All bloom yellow flowers, but different shades and sizes. Some are low growing; some grow to 24 inches high and wide. Choose from such varieties as Moonbeam, Crème Brulee, Jethro Tull, Tequila Sunrise, and Zagreb. Half day of sun or more is needed.

Campanula

Birch Hybrid or Blue Waterfall Campanulas are great low growing perennials for a location which is dry and receives full sun. These will provide lots of blue flowers in the summer.

Astilbe

A great plant for areas which receive full shade to morning sun. Astilbe’s tolerate slightly wet conditions. Grows to different heights by variety. Choose from shades of pink, purple, and red.

This list could go on. There are loads of great summer-blooming perennials to choose from. I do recommend buying your perennials from greenhouses and garden centers that have knowledgeable people on hand to give you all the needed advice to assure your success.