Spring
is the season that comes to mind when we think of gardens filled with colorful
flowers. Bright blooms continue to thrive throughout summer, and now that
summer is coming to an end, we should be thinking about the flowers that will
carry us through the fall season.
By
late July, most typical perennial gardens have seen their best days and begin
to look a little underwhelming. This is why, at least for late-summer flowers,
it is best to plant annuals as companions to your perennials. To achieve a
beautiful garden that blooms into autumn, you’ll want to begin planting your late-summer
annuals now.
You’ll
want to choose annuals that complement your perennials, are casual in form and
blend well among your perennials. Make sure they are a heat-tolerant species,
as there are still plenty of warm and sunny days ahead (no need to shy away
from tropical species, either!).
Here
are some ideas for great companion annuals to plant among your perennials:
● Mums - these you should actually plant in the spring, but keep pinched
back until early July. That way the mums will give you great late-season color!
● Anise Hyssop - an understated plant that provides good foliage of fluffy
purple flowers in August and September
● Impatiens - the most common of annual plants, these colorful flowers will
bloom until frost. Gorgeous and hardy!
● Salvia Horminum - this
plant’s poinsettia-like top leaves are the main attraction, not the flowers.
The purple, pink, or white bracts will look great in your garden through late
fall.
● Cleome - this is another plant whose leaves provide the show. These look
great planted at the back of your perennial border, since they are about four
feet high. They provide height and great peak color from July through
September.
There
are, of course, many more options to choose from than those that are listed
above. The best way to decide what works with your garden is to stop by Wayside
Garden Center and see for yourself what we have to offer! We have four
greenhouses full of annuals to suit your garden and landscaping needs. Stop by
or visit our website at for more
information.
