One of the best parts of summer is watching your garden blossom into a beautiful oasis. Nature provides us with tons of variety when it comes to flowers and plants. This can actually be a bit intimidating for people who want to create their perfect garden vision.
Are you overwhelmed by all the different types of flowers you can plant in your garden? Here are our top seven picks for the best flowers to grow this summer.
1. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, also known as “mums”, are a large family of flowers. People love to plant them for their spectacular bloom which consists of all rainbow colors. Different types of flowers in this family can also vary in height, spread, size and bloom.
Chrysanthemums can make for a perfect bright fall landscape. They start to bloom in the late summer and months on end throughout fall. Up until the end of fall, they can create a dense celestial bloom in your garden.
Growing chrysanthemums in your garden is easy as long as you pick the right varieties. Large-flowered variations need more attention and care. You have to spend a lot of time growing a lovely bloom during late summer.
You want a simple variety that’s easier to grow and produce tons of flowers through fall. Hardy types like anemone, cushion, decorative and single varieties are the best flowers. You’ll get more masses of colors without spending lots of time.
2. Black-Eyed Susan
The Black-eyed Susan is a flowering vine that’s often grown in hanging pots and baskets. They are not only charming but carefree. Most varieties start flowering during summer and continue until the first freeze occurs.
Black-eyed Susan comprises a dozen different types of flowers native to North America. All have distinctive yellow petals emanating from sultry dark eyes in their center.
People refer to these flowers as daisies, cornflowers or sunflowers. However, they’re all a family of the Rudbeckia genus.
Planting and caring for Black-eyed Susan takes some gardening tips. Most varieties need ample sun and warmth. The ideal soil temperature when growing is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, ensure there’s good drainage and enough air circulation to prevent Mildew.
Sowed seeds should be covered with a thin layer of soil and mulch if grown during spring. Watering continues until the plants reach full bloom or grow deep roots.
3. Dahlia
It’s hard to imagine summer without Dahlia. Their different types of flowers feature varying colors, shades, ball sizes and blooms. They are perfect for elevating summer garden themes and can fit any gardening style.
Dahlias can grow perfectly in containers or beddings. The best time to grow Dahlia flowers is between mid-April and early June. But it also depends on your climate and location. Dahlias thrive better in sunny areas with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day.
Plant your Dahlias late in the spring when the soil is warmer than 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid watering until tubers sprout. With the correct temperatures, dahlias will take a shorter time to sprout and bloom. Dahlias bloom in July and can last through September.
4. Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is one of the best flowers to grow in your home garden. Bougainvillea is a tough, fast-growing evergreen flower that puts on a brilliant bloom in summer. With tiny white flowers surrounded by distinct colored bracts, its blooms are a delightful show.
Planting bougainvillea requires little effort and a few gardening tips. For starters, you need to live in warm areas or USDA hardiness 10-11 zones. They also need lots of sun─ otherwise you get vines and thorns without the blooms.
Overwatered bougainvillea may lose leaves or face root rot. Keep watering low and stop watering until during droughts when the plant is strong. For best flowers, you need your vines with compost every month.
5. Angelonia
These finicky plants with snapdragon-like flowers are made for summer. They thrive in warm and dry climates and continue flowering all summer long.
Follow these gardening tips to grow these flowers in your garden;
- Choose a sun-lit site and bed the plants in spring
- Moist, well-drained soils are suitable for the best flowers
- Plant in masses
- Pinch the main stem tips when plants reach 15 cm tall
- Cut sprawling Angelonia in midsummer to half their height for fresh flowers
Count on the summer snapdragon to provide constant bloom. This is especially true when other annuals succumb to summer heat.
6. Coreopsis
Coreopsis looks almost like Black-eyed Susan but has a less pronounced center. They feature masses of snowy daisy flowers and bloom throughout the summer.
Coreopsis species are low maintenance, drought-tolerant plants suitable as flower fillers or boarders. Annual types bloom from early summer to the end of fall. Perennials will take two years before the first bloom.
Full sun exposure is one of the crucial factors for perfect blooms and the best flowers. The plant also likes warm temperatures between roughly 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Also, look for well-drained or sandy soils with PH levels of 5.5 to 6.5.
Give new plants regular water until they’re a year old. At this point, the plants are strong enough they can even tolerate drought. Moderate watering is still necessary later on for prolific booms.
7. Lilies
Lilies are every gardener’s favorite and the best flowers to plant during summer in your garden. Famous for their showy, exotic look, Lillies can transform any garden with vibrant colors and elegant shapes. They can bloom several times in a year which makes them ideal for summer gardens.
There are many species of lilies and different types of flowers or hybrids in each division. These include:
- Lilies for early to mid-summer blooms─ Asiatic, martagon, madonna, and easter lily
- Lilies for mid-summer blooms─ Trumpet lilies
- Lilies for late summer blooms─ Orienpet, oriental and wild lilies
Plant lilies in full sun and well-drained soils or compost. Make sure you find specific growing and care needs for the lilies you’re planting.
Selecting Different Types of Flowers for Your Summer Garden
There are plenty of different types of flowers to choose from for your summer garden. You need to know the best flowers for a constant, healthy bloom to the end of fall. Overall, it comes down to personal choice for the vision you’d like to create in your space. If you’re after the look of plants and flowers for home decor needs, you may also think about fake flowers & plants as an alternative.
From chrysanthemums to lilies, there’s a mix that will suit your gardening style. For more gardening tips, check out the rest of our blog.
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