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10 Perennials to Extend Your Garden's Summer Color
Revive summer-weary gardens with outstanding late bloomers such as toad lily, Russian sage, blanket flower and more
Houzz Contributor. I'm a home and garden writer and the former editor of both Country Gardens and Country Home. When I'm not writing or editing, I can be found in the garden or renovating our family's 1860s brick farmhouse.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a home and garden writer and the former editor of... More »
If the dog days of summer have gotten the best of your garden blooms, there’s still time to create a fetching landscape. Sure, you could head to the local garden center for mums, but if you want something less predictable, check out these no-fuss perennials that bloom with abandon — often up to frost. You'll get color now, plus repeat performances for many autumns to come.
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Toad Lily
Tricyrtus hirta
Although petite (about the size of a walnut), the orchid-like blooms of this Asian beauty are plentiful, nestled atop the plant’s graceful stems. Plant near the front of borders or in containers where you can more easily admire the white, mauve or yellow blooms. Favorite varieties include ‘Miyazaki’, with its arching stems of purple-speckled flowers, and ‘White Towers’, which sports pure white blooms.
USDA zones: 4-9 (find your zone)
Sun requirement: Full to partial shade (requires more shade in Southern areas)
Water requirement: Plant performs best in humus-rich soil that retains moisture. Tolerates wet soil.
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet
Tricyrtus hirta
Although petite (about the size of a walnut), the orchid-like blooms of this Asian beauty are plentiful, nestled atop the plant’s graceful stems. Plant near the front of borders or in containers where you can more easily admire the white, mauve or yellow blooms. Favorite varieties include ‘Miyazaki’, with its arching stems of purple-speckled flowers, and ‘White Towers’, which sports pure white blooms.
USDA zones: 4-9 (find your zone)
Sun requirement: Full to partial shade (requires more shade in Southern areas)
Water requirement: Plant performs best in humus-rich soil that retains moisture. Tolerates wet soil.
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet
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| Russian Sage Perovskia atriplicifolia Tall, shrubby Russian sage is a versatile, drought-tolerant and super low-maintenance stunner that will bloom up to 15 weeks even in hot, sunny sites. It's especially nice planted beside pathways where its fragrant flowers can be appreciated. Or use it to bring height, color and texture to a late-summer border. Great companion plantings include daylilies, salvia, dianthus, Japanese anemone, boltonia, orange coneflower and sedum. USDA zones: 4-9 Water requirement: Drought tolerant Sun requirement: Full sun Mature size: 3 to 5 feet |
Blanket Flower
Gaillardia x grandiflora
Named for its resemblance to the vivid woven blankets of the American Southwest, this flower cloaks the garden in yellow, burgundy or rich red from midsummer into fall. Blanket flower prefers fertile, well-drained soil, but it will tolerate poor, dry soil once established. Deadhead to keep the flowers coming. The dwarf, compact ‘Goblin’ cultivar is a favorite with its showy flowers and incredible bloom time. 'Burgundy' is another excellent choice that stands 2 to 3 feet tall with deep red flowers.
USDA zones: 3-10
Water requirement: Drought tolerant
Sun requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet
Gaillardia x grandiflora
Named for its resemblance to the vivid woven blankets of the American Southwest, this flower cloaks the garden in yellow, burgundy or rich red from midsummer into fall. Blanket flower prefers fertile, well-drained soil, but it will tolerate poor, dry soil once established. Deadhead to keep the flowers coming. The dwarf, compact ‘Goblin’ cultivar is a favorite with its showy flowers and incredible bloom time. 'Burgundy' is another excellent choice that stands 2 to 3 feet tall with deep red flowers.
USDA zones: 3-10
Water requirement: Drought tolerant
Sun requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet
| Japanese Anemone, Windflower Anemone X Hybrida, Anemone hypehensis Native to Japan, this plant's lanky stems of semidouble flowers add waves of pink or white to the late-season garden. A long-lived, fibrous-rooted perennial, Japanese anemone makes a stunning accent plant massed in borders or mixed with hostas or obedient plant. Prune after flowering to avoid prolific reseeding and dig around the roots to prevent unwanted spreading. Noteworthy varieties include the venerable 'Honorine Jobert' and the new dwarf Pretty Lady Series (Anemone hupehensis) from Blooms of Bressingham. USDA zones: 4-8 Water requirement: Prefers moderate to moist soil Sun requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: Up to 5 feet |
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Pincushion Flower
Scabiosa spp.
A nearly indefatigable bloomer, this easy-growing perennial produces lavender-blue, deep blue, white or pink flowers from early summer to early fall. Deer resistant and tough, the plant’s common name refers to its resemblance to small pincushions. For best effect, plant in containers or in groups near the front of beds and borders. Deadhead for even longer blooming.
USDA zones: 3-11
Water requirement: Drought tolerant, though it prefers humus-rich, moist soil
Sun requirement: Full sun. Can handle part shade in the southern United States.
Mature size: 10 to 24 inches tall and wide
Scabiosa spp.
A nearly indefatigable bloomer, this easy-growing perennial produces lavender-blue, deep blue, white or pink flowers from early summer to early fall. Deer resistant and tough, the plant’s common name refers to its resemblance to small pincushions. For best effect, plant in containers or in groups near the front of beds and borders. Deadhead for even longer blooming.
USDA zones: 3-11
Water requirement: Drought tolerant, though it prefers humus-rich, moist soil
Sun requirement: Full sun. Can handle part shade in the southern United States.
Mature size: 10 to 24 inches tall and wide
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| Black-eyed Susan, Orange Coneflower Rudbeckia An all-American favorite, Black-eyed Susan is beloved for its profuse flowering and easy-growing character. Ideal for informal, cottage, and meadow gardens, this carefree perennial naturalizes beautifully and provides seed heads for winter interest. Among the top performers is 'Goldsturm', a reliable favorite with incredible staying power. Plant with purple Frikart’s aster or ornamental grasses for a glorious autumn display. USDA zones: 3-9 Water requirement: Prefers plentiful water; drought tolerant once established Sun requirement: Full sun is best; tolerates part shade Mature size: 18 to 24 inches More about growing Black-eyed Susan |
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| Perennial Sage Salvia X sylvestris ‘May Night’ Most salvias give a lengthy performance in the garden, and cold-hardy 'May Night' delights with a late-season encore when regularly deadheaded. The plant's indigo-blue spikes of large flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds and make a no-fuss addition to beds and borders. Mix with yellow flowers, purple sedums and lamb's ears. USDA zones: 4-9 Water requirement: Drought tolerant Sun requirement: Full sun Mature size: 18 inches |
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Obedient Plant, False Dragonhead
Physostegia virginiana
Snapdragon-like spikes of clustered white, pink or magenta flowers distinguish this native plant, which derives its common name from the fact that its tubular flowers compliantly remain in whatever direction they are pushed. Be aware that this robust plant's growing habits aren't quite as manageable, often multiplying quickly in the garden. Either plant in beds where it can spread to its heart’s desire or choose cultivars such as ‘Miss Manners’ or ‘Pink Manners’ that are bred to behave.
USDA zones: 3-9
Sun requirement: Full sun to light shade
Mature size: 2 to 4 feet tall
Physostegia virginiana
Snapdragon-like spikes of clustered white, pink or magenta flowers distinguish this native plant, which derives its common name from the fact that its tubular flowers compliantly remain in whatever direction they are pushed. Be aware that this robust plant's growing habits aren't quite as manageable, often multiplying quickly in the garden. Either plant in beds where it can spread to its heart’s desire or choose cultivars such as ‘Miss Manners’ or ‘Pink Manners’ that are bred to behave.
USDA zones: 3-9
Sun requirement: Full sun to light shade
Mature size: 2 to 4 feet tall
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| Yellow Corydalis Corydalis lutea An incredible workhorse, carefree corydalis performs in even the most difficult growing conditions, including wet soil, dry shade and dense shade. This underused perennial produces fragrant clusters of soft yellow flowers on clumps of fernlike green leaves from late April to mid-October. USDA zones: 4-9 Sun requirement: Partial sun and shade Mature size: 12 to 18 inches tall and wide |
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| Frikart’s Aster Aster x frikartii For carefree summer-to-autumn color, few perennials can measure up to Frikart’s aster. Use it anywhere in borders or let it naturalize in prairie or meadow gardens. (Be sure to winter-mulch the plant in colder zones.) ‘Monch’ is one of the most gardenworthy aster cultivars, sporting an exuberant display of lavender-blue flowers from July to October. USDA zones: 5-8 Water requirement: Prefers dry to medium soil; may rot over winter if soil remains wet Sun requirement: Full sun Mature size: Up to 3 feet tall and wide More about growing asters | Garden ideas for your region of the U.S. |
Ideabook updated on Sept. 2, 2012.
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And I should add, I had both catmint and Russian sage in my mostly perennial garden.