03 August 2010
Many give up on their gardens come August, thinking that it is too hot and too dry for anything to be looking good this time of year. How much they miss, so many different and unusual plants begin their prime blooming season. Sedums are the most commonly used and rightfully so. They offer interest for an extremely long time even way before they come into bloom due to their flower heads forming so early in the summer. Another wonderful thing about them is that there is a ton of varieties varying in foliage and flower color.
That being said there are tons of other plants that are just coming into there prime. Blooming plants like Turtlehead (Chelone) which blooms interesting bright pink flowers on strong stems. They are excellent companion plants with Veronica, Coral Bells (Heuchera), and Ostrich Ferns. Another one of our favorites is a highly under used perennial, Toad Lily (Tricyrtis). It has small orchid like flowers cover the narrow leafed plant abundantly. It looks amazing planted in large groupings along with Creeping Jenny, Astilbe, and Anemone. Plant that and all your neighbors will be asking you what it is and where you got it come late August when their yards are tired and boring.
Remember to come in and walk around to see what is blooming in all seasons that way your yard will have interest all year long.
A perennial that has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds is Dianthus also called Pinks or Sweet William. It has not gained its popularity falsely, it has earned it through its long bloom time and its ease to grow. If you are looking for something that will grow in full sun and rocky dry soil yet still bloom a majority of the summer then you have found your plant. The flowers stick up all over its carpet like foliage that can range from dark green to silvery blue depending on the variety that you pick. Dianthus works perfectly to border a perennial bed. Try mixing them with other sun lovers like Coreopsis, Sage and Knock Out Roses.