- At this time of year there are loads of perennial plants that are looking fantastic and there are plenty to choose from that are either in flower or about to flower and will flower for the rest of the Summer and well into the Autumn.
- For a slightly tender perennial that offers lots of drama and a great blast of colour, Canna Lilies are a fantastic plant to grow. Cannas have a great tropical look, large eye-catching striped foliage and bright richly colourful flowers that bloom from around June to October. They can get to about 5 or 6 feet tall depending on variety so are ideal at the back or middle of a border with their exotic foliage acting as a great foil or backdrop for other plants. You can also grow them in a large container - but make sure it’s plenty big as they put on a good bit or growth - they offer a great show stopping solution for a large pot
- Phygelius, known as Cape figwort or Cape fuchsia, are native to South Africa and they’re related to snapdragons and penstemons.They are popularly grown for their long panicles of showy tubular flowers, resembling some fuchsia varieties, and the flowers start in mid summer and last long into autumn and deadheading will prolong the flowering period. These are an excellent addition to beds, borders or large containers, they grow well in rich soil and prefer a sunny location but will handle some partial shade. They will grow in height from 2 foot to 4 or 5 feet depending on the variety and colours range from rich maroon red, pinks and creamy yellow depending on the variety
- They’re lots of types and varieties of Cosmos but my own favorite would be Cosmos Chocamocha - it has beautiful velvety brown flowers that have a wonderful chocolatey fragrance, so is a real hit with gardeners and chocolate lovers. It flowers from late June through to October and is ideal for borders or containers - position it somewhere close to walkways or in pots where you’ll get to enjoy the surprising fragrance - it makes a great cut flower and is popular with bees and butterflies. Grow it in a sunny spot and it reaches a height of about a foot and a half - so “Chocolate Cosmos”or Cosmos Chocamocha”
- Echinacea are a super range of perennials that have pretty, daisy-like flowers with a central cone, sometimes known as coneflower. They’re easy to grow as they tolerate most soils except very dry ones and have stout sturdy stems so don’t need staking. Usually white, pink, orangey, yellow or purple flowering and growing to a little over a foot and a half up to 4 feet depending on variety. Grow them in well-drained soil in full sun and deadhead the flowers as they fade to encourage more, but in autumn leave the seedheads for the birds. Cut them back the following spring, when the new foliage emerges. These are another great plant for bees and butterflies and are also used in herbal medicines
- Crocosmia are a popular range of perennials - sometimes known as montbretia and most commonly seen as the red flowering types but there are also yellow and orange varieties that are a great addition to gardens. Crocosmia Lucifer has long sword shaped leaves and long arching red flowers - a reliable and easy to grow plant and can handle dry or shaded areas and makes a great cut flower and good for the bees and pollinators also. You can buy them as plants at this time of the year or buy bulbs for planting in Spring. They reach heights of about 4 or 5 feet. Some varieties can be a little invasive and you’ll see them growing along roadsides in ditches and hedges - the cultivated varieties are less likely to become invasive. Divide any congested clumps every few years to rejuvenate them and encourage better flowering
- A few other plants worth consideration for a great show at this time of year include Senecio Angel Wings, Nepeta - varieties of catmint, Digitalis - the foxglove or just take a wander through your local garden centre and you should see lots of temptation and inspiration to add to your garden.
A few jobs for the week ahead;
- Deadhead faded flower on roses to keep them flowering for longer and give them a good liquid feed
- Keep deadheading bedding plants every couple of days to encourage more flowers
- If you’re growing courgettes pick them when small and don’t let them get too big when they turn to marrows - treat to prevent mildew with Mildew Clear if needed
- Hoe and hand weed any beds to keep on top of weeds and prevent them going to seed and spreading more weeds - they should wilt quickly in this warm weather
- Cover brassicas - the likes of cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower with fine netting to prevent the cabbage white butterflies laying their eggs on the leaves - set up a frame with bamboo canes using handy cane connectors
- Take summer cuttings of your favorite shrubs - Hydrangeas are a good choice for taking slips you can add to your own collection or grow on some gifts for anyone who’s keen on plants