Summer is coming, and that’s why your garden must be all ready for your parties and relaxing. Other than furniture, your garden is probably decorated with plants, but as you know, the more the better! There are a lot of plants to choose from, for all seasons. But just like with everything else, summer ones are the best looking ones. Cruise your local flower shops. Pick some beautiful flowers and other plants to make your garden even more beautiful and splendid. Just imagine those summer days, complemented with beautiful-looking and smelling plants!
Here are the best summer plants for your garden:
Lavender
While fresh herbs will undoubtedly provide a pleasant perfume to your outdoor space, lavender will take things a step further. Summer-hardy, aromatic, and pollinator-friendly, this lovely plant is a good option for practically any garden. As the earth warms up for the season, late April is a great time to plant, starting with small seedlings. Lavender grows best in Hardiness Zones 5–9. Although those in warmer climes will need to give their blossoms a little additional attention in the winter.
Dahlias
Dahlias are a great summer flower since they thrive in full light and hot weather. While they’re most popular in the South’s Hardiness Zones 8–11. Individuals in Zones 2–7 can plant them as annuals in June or dig them up to preserve for the winter and early spring. What we like best about dahlias is that they may produce flowers ranging in size from 2 to 15 inches in a variety of vivid and jewel-toned colours.
Canna Lilies
The Canna lily is another tropical-inspired flower that is perfect for a colourful summer garden. Both the blooms and the leaves are available in a range of hues to complement the wonderful plants you’ve been cultivating all spring. Canna lilies grow best in USDA Hardiness Zones 7–11. Although those in Zones 6 and lower can still enjoy them as a seasonal alternative. Those in the latter category will simply have to pull up their Cannas before the first severe freeze in late autumn. After the first hard autumn frost, those in Zone 7 might consider adding a layer of straw or leaf mulch to protect their Cannas.
Gladiolus
We generally think of hibiscus and bougainvillaea when we think of tropical flowers. But gladiolus is also a great tropical bloom to add colour and height to your summer garden. Those in USDA Hardiness Zones 7–11 can begin planting these vibrant flowers as soon as the final spring frost has passed. Those in Zone 7 will only need to dig up their plants in the autumn and preserve them till spring.
Cosmos
Choosing a summer-hardy annual wildflower is a great way to extend the life of a vibrant summer garden into the fall. Cosmos are one of our favourite flowers because of their fanciful, romantic blossoms. As well as the fact that they are pollinators, drawing bees, butterflies, and birds to our gardens. These colourful babies are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 2–11 and available in a range of hues.
Squash in the Summer and Winter
Now is an excellent time to grow both summer and winter squash, whether you prefer acorn squash or zucchini. Summer varieties planted now will yield a gorgeous crop later in the season. While winter varieties planted now will reward you with a rich fall harvest. Summer squashes should be planted in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–10. While winter squashes should be planted in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9.
Melons
A cooling melon is one of the few fruits that is more gratifying over a long, hot summer. And now is a terrific time to start growing them if you haven’t already. Watermelon thrives in Hardiness Zones 3–11, whereas cantaloupes flourish in Hardiness Zones 5–11. Before planting your seeds for the season, make sure your soil temperature is above 60°F for cantaloupes and over 70°F for watermelons.
Corn
Corn is an excellent choice for a speedy and profitable summer crop. This fast-growing crop grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–10 and will complement your summer dishes nicely. For the greatest results, start with a small plot of corn and gradually increase.
Beets
Those in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–6 can prolong the beet growing season a little longer to add colour to their gardens and menus. Even if you planted in the spring, these zones can reap a second crop in the late summer for a quick late-summer treat.
Herbs That Like To Be In Hot, Such As Sage And Other Heat-Loving Herbs
Heat-loving herbs will add perfume and taste to your summer garden this season. Sage, along with oregano, basil, and thyme, are great for summer planting and matching with all of the tomatoes and eggplants that will soon be abundant in your vegetable garden! This month, those in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–10 will have a lot of luck with these aromatic plants.
Peppers of Various Types
Though peppers are best grown inside and then transferred to the garden, you may also buy some from a local nursery and transplant them yourself for a quick, satisfying summer crop. Peppers flourish best at soil temperatures over 70°F. So if you live in a somewhat cooler region, wait until the last of the winter days have passed before planting. Pick them as soon as they reach your preferred size and colour for homemade salsa or a fajita night straight from the garden. Bell peppers and jalapenos grow best in Hardiness Zones 5–11. But bell peppers may even flourish in Hardiness Zone 4 if the soil temperature is suitable.
Siberian Iris
For its beautiful blooms and architectural leaves, this hardy perennial is well worth planting. Every year, from the moment their sharp buds first show in early summer until the last mesmerising blossom fades, you’ll find yourself looking forward to your iris blooms. Their vivid green, sword-like foliage adds textural appeal even after they’re done.
Irises come in a variety of kinds, but Siberian irises thrive in USDA Zones 3 to 9. To obtain the most blooms in the North, give them at least six hours of light every day. In hot areas, some midday shade is required. This plant may grow in clay and thrives in rich, wet, acidic soil.
Penstemon
This natural hummingbird feeder will attract hummingbirds to your yard. Beginning in early June, you’ll see them enjoying the nectar of its trumpet-shaped blooms with pollinating bees for several weeks. Tall flower stalks rise high above the mounded leaves, which varies in colour from dark green to deep purple.
Penstemons are native to the United States and come in a variety of hardiness and blossom colour. Make a note of the USDA Zone and select one that will withstand the winter. Cold hardy varieties feature smaller blooms in colours of white, lavender, or pink. Whilst non-hardy varieties can have blossoms as large as your thumb in vibrant red and purple hues.
Blazing Star
Blazing star is no exception to the hardiness of native perennials. There are a variety of native species with varying degrees of hardiness. Liatris spicata (shown above), a thick blazing star that thrives in USDA Zones 3 to 9 in full light, is one of the best and most showy for Northern gardens.
Its vivid rose purple blooms unfold at the top and unfurl down the stalks, sparkling like a magic wand. This perennial’s beauty is enhanced by its feathery-looking, vivid green leaves. Plant it in large groups to create a significant impact in the landscape in the summer, or scatter a few as a powerful vertical feature in your garden design.
Goat’s Beard
Few native perennials bloom with the majesty and grandeur of goat’s beard, a shade-loving native perennial with a towering size and presence (Aruncus dioicus). Its remarkable four- to six-foot height makes it ideal for a flower border or at the edge of a woods, where it thrives in moist, rich soil and partial shade.
Huge, fluffy, creamy white plumes develop for only a few weeks in early to midsummer, yet its sturdy foliage lasts throughout the season.
If you enjoy the appearance of Astilbe but reside in USDA Zone 3, a harder option is goat’s beard. It’s simple to grow in USDA Zones 3 to 7, and it’s native to the East and West Coasts, as well as Alaska.
Roses
While passionate cabbage roses may be beyond of reach for USDA Zone 3 gardeners, there are still plenty of wonderful landscape roses to choose from that can withstand cold winters and hot summers. Before you buy, read the hardiness information carefully and seek advice from your local garden shop.
Oso Easy Hot Paprika, depicted above, is a disease-resistant rose that blooms profusely from early summer to fall in USDA Zones 3 to 9.
Special winter protection, like rose cone for example, should not be required if you pick a rose variety hardy to your USDA Zone. Because they mostly bloom on new growth, even if the tips of the branches die back in the winter, the plants may be pruned back by up to half in the spring and still bloom brilliantly.