Flowers and Color for the Summer

Summer can be a colorful time of year, if you have the right plants. Here are just a few ideas.

For Sunny Areas

Provided it has good drainage and plenty of sun, vinca is extremely easy to grow and offers a lot of color.

Melampodium is also extremely easy to grow. Just give it a site that's mostly sunny.

Trailing torenia, like the 'Summer Wave' series, will flower from now until late fall. It prefers morning sun and a little shade from the harsh, late afternoon summer sun.

Narrow-leaf zinnia is very heat and sun tolerant. Make sure it has good drainage and it should do well.

Ornamental sweet potato vine can provide a lot of color quickly in a large area as it continually spreads. This chartreuse form provides a contrast for darker colors, such as with this red coleus.

Lantana, on the right, is available in a number of different varieties. This one, called 'Sonset', is particularly colorful. The plant on the left, 'Gold Mound' or 'Cuban Gold' Duranta, provides bright and quick foliage color to contrast with other plantings. It can even be used in lightly shaded areas.

Pentas are available in red, pink, white, and lavender, and, in varieties with different heights too. It's attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.

The cigar flower is very attractive to hummingbirds and flowers continuously on through fall. It's a perennial that will grow up to 3 feet tall and wide. It is in the genus, Cuphea. There are some types that are not quite as large or as bold.

Mexican heather is another well-known Cuphea that does very well in full sun.

Powderpuff (Calliarnda spp.) is a perennial that can grow up to 4 ft. or more tall with an equal spread. 

Firebush is another perennial shrub that flowers during the summer and fall. It is very attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.

For Sun to at Least Partial Shade

Coleus come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Most will tolerate full sun but in our intense heat actually perform best in partial to full shade. 

Occasionally you will see some of the small-flowered types of Heliconia in local garden centers. They are great to use as annuals through the summer and fall, giving a touch of the tropical look to the garden. They will work well grown in a large container also. Hummingbirds love them! They will tolerate full sun to partial shade. Fertilize them regularly and the clump of plants will grow larger over the growing season. 

You may be accustomed to seeing the white butterfly gingers. But this peach colored one is a stronger plant. I have both and whereas the white one's stems tend to fall over, the peach one grows much thicker with sturdier stems. It also adds a tropical look to the garden. It will grow and flower in full sun to moderate shade. 

 

Sunpatiens will flower in sun to shade.