Complete Gardening
Embrace the last days of summer by planting these vibrant flowers that promise to keep blooming until the frost arrives. These fifteen varieties not only add color and life to your garden but also attract pollinators, repel pests, and thrive in heat. With careful selection, even late-season gardeners can enjoy a spectacular display.
Zinnias
Zinnias bring a splash of color and a flurry of butterflies to any garden. Known for their drought tolerance, they bloom vigorously in just 60 days. Picture a garden adorned with ‘Benary’s Giant’—its blooms as large as your hand—and ‘Queen Lime,’ which offers shades as unique as its name suggests.
These flowers are not just easy to grow; they are a symbol of summer’s resilience, thriving even when the days grow hottest. With their ability to attract beneficial insects, Zinnias are a gardener’s ally in maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem.
Marigolds
Marigolds are the unsung heroes of the garden, offering vibrant hues from soft ‘French Vanilla’ to the striking ‘Crackerjack’. These flowers thrive in heat, providing nonstop blooms until the frost bites.
Beyond their beauty, Marigolds play a crucial role in repelling pests, making them an indispensable companion plant.
As the sun sets, their golden tones seem to hold onto the daylight a little longer, creating a timeless glow. In the language of flowers, they symbolize optimism and prosperity, reflecting their unfailing nature and utility.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers stand tall as the giants of summer gardens, epitomizing warmth and vitality. Quick to grow, some varieties like ‘Autumn Beauty’ and ‘Firecracker’ bloom in just 50 days, offering vibrant faces to the sun.
They are not just aesthetically pleasing; they provide a feast for pollinators, sustaining bees and butterflies during their summer sojourns.
These sun-chasers turn their heads from dawn till dusk, following the celestial light. With their towering presence, Sunflowers add structure and joy to spaces, embodying resilience and cheer.
Cosmos
Cosmos paint the garden with whimsical charm, their delicate petals swaying like dancers in the wind. Self-seeding and with airy foliage, they bloom six to eight weeks after planting.
Imagine the ‘Sensation Mix’—a carnival of colors—beside uniquely shaped ‘Cupcakes’. Each flower sways, creating a playful harmony between nature and nurture.
Their carefree nature makes Cosmos a joy for both seasoned gardeners and newcomers. Known for attracting butterflies, these flowers create a lively tableau that endures late into the season, offering endless delight.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are not just ornamental; they are a culinary delight, offering edible leaves and flowers. The ‘Empress of India’ boasts deep red blooms, while ‘Alaska’ astonishes with variegated foliage.
In poor soil where others falter, Nasturtiums thrive, proving their hardy nature. Their peppery taste adds zest to salads, making them a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike.
As pest-resistant champions, they guard other plants, embodying the spirit of a garden guardian. Their vibrant presence is more than a feast for the eyes, but a treat for taste buds too.
Calendula (Pot Marigold)
Calendula, or Pot Marigold, brings a touch of sunshine to cooler climates. Known for their medicinal properties, they self-sow, ensuring a delightful presence year after year. ‘Orange King’ and ‘Pink Surprise’ are fast bloomers that captivate with their vibrant hues.
These flowers are more than just pretty faces; they are healers of the garden, offering soothing balms and teas.
Their ability to bloom through changing temperatures makes them a resilient choice for those looking to extend their garden’s beauty beyond summer’s end.
Celosia (Cockscomb)
Celosia, or Cockscomb, is nature’s textile, offering textures as captivating as they are unique. ‘Dragon’s Breath’ and ‘Flamingo Feather’ stand out with their vibrant colors and unusual forms.
These flowers love the heat, thriving as temperatures rise. They dry beautifully, making them perfect for everlasting arrangements.
With their bold presence, Celosia adds a dramatic flair to gardens, ensuring a spectacle for all who pass by. Their fiery hues and forms resemble a painter’s palette, capturing the imagination with their artistic allure.
Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
Gomphrena, or Globe Amaranth, is a beacon of endurance in the garden. With long-lasting blooms, ‘Fireworks’ and ‘Strawberry Fields’ dazzle with their vibrant colors.
These drought-proof flowers are ideal for cutting, maintaining their charm even as fresh bouquets. Their resilience in dry conditions makes them a favorite among gardeners seeking beauty with minimal fuss.
As they dot the landscape, Gomphrena provides a festive touch, their spherical blooms reminiscent of summer parties and celebrations, adding a cheerful note to any garden.
Portulaca (Moss Rose)
Portulaca, known as Moss Rose, is a sun-worshipper that thrives in hot, dry spots. With vibrant colors, ‘Sundial Mix’ and ‘Happy Hour’ offer double blooms that enchant throughout the summer.
These flowers are perfect for those challenging areas where other plants might wither. Their succulent-like leaves store water, ensuring they flourish even in heatwaves.
Portulaca adds a splash of joy to garden beds and containers alike, their bright blooms offering a cheerful greeting to all who encounter them. They epitomize resilience and color in any landscape.
Salvias (Annual Types)
Salvias are the dynamic dancers of the garden world, beloved by hummingbirds for their vibrant blooms. Plant ‘Lady in Red’ and ‘Victoria Blue’ to enjoy a spectacle of color in just six weeks.
These flowers not only bring beauty but also support pollinators, creating a lively, buzzing garden scene. Their striking hues and long-lasting flowers make them a staple for summer gardens.
With their upright spikes, Salvias add dimension and vibrancy. As the sun sets, their colors deepen, inviting evening pollinators to continue their garden serenade.
Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)
Tithonia, or Mexican Sunflower, is a true sun worshipper, flourishing in the heat with giant orange blooms. The ‘Torch’ variety can reach up to six feet, making it a towering presence in any garden.
Butterflies flock to these flowers, turning your garden into a vibrant sanctuary. Their large, fiery blooms are a visual feast, adding a tropical flair to landscapes.
As a backdrop or centerpiece, Tithonia creates a stunning effect, embodying the spirit of summer with its bold colors and impressive size. They stand as sentinels of sunny days.
Cleome (Spider Flower)
Cleome, known as Spider Flower, brings drama and height with its tall, airy form. The thornless ‘Senorita Rosalita’ variety creates a graceful presence without the prickles.
These flowers self-seed, ensuring their return year after year. Their unique structure adds intrigue to garden beds, while their deer-resistant nature makes them a practical choice for gardeners.
With a blend of elegance and resilience, Cleome offers something truly special. Their spider-like blooms catch the light, creating a captivating scene that’s both mysterious and beautiful.
Ageratum (Floss Flower)
Ageratum, or Floss Flower, is a gap-filler extraordinaire, quickly covering bare spots with its fuzzy blooms. ‘Blue Horizon’ is a top choice, offering a sea of blue and pink that charms viewers.
These flowers are ideal for adding texture and color contrast to garden borders. Their soft, cushion-like appearance is both inviting and soothing.
In a garden, Ageratum stands as a testament to gentle beauty, their presence a calming influence. Adding them to your landscape ensures continuous color, creating a tranquil haven for all visitors.
Verbena
Verbena is a spreading sensation, loved for its heat tolerance and nonstop blooms. ‘Homestead Purple’ and ‘Lanai Twister’ are top picks, offering vibrant colors that captivate.
These flowers thrive in sunny spots, spreading their cheer effortlessly. Known for their cascading habit, they are perfect for hanging baskets and ground covers.
Verbena embodies summer’s exuberance, with blooms that invite guests to linger and enjoy. Their lively presence and ability to attract pollinators make them an essential choice for gardeners seeking vibrant and dynamic landscapes.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum is like a gentle whisper in the garden, quick to flower and perfect for borders. ‘Easter Bonnet’ offers a delightful mix of pink and white blooms that perfume the air with a honeyed scent.
These flowers are a favorite for edging paths and filling containers, their low-growing habit creating drifts of color. Their fragrance is a soothing balm, attracting bees and other beneficial insects.
Sweet Alyssum adds a touch of elegance, their blooms a soft, fragrant carpet that invites leisurely strolls and garden enjoyment. They are the epitome of grace in the floral world.