FLOWERS THAT THRIVE ALL SUMMER LONG
“It is as though an ever more luminous light kept making each object glitter with an ever more dazzling splendor; as though the frenzied flowers were trying to rival the azure of the sky by the intensity of their colors, as though the heat, making the perfumes visible, were drawing them up to the sun like smoke.” -Baudelaire, Paris Spleen
Sturdy and bright flowers are ideal for the summer garden. Some favourite drought-resistant beauties that will make any lawn, porch, or veranda colorful all season include tried and true annual blooms like petunias and cosmos to perennial posies such as Paris daisies and poppy mallow. Cosmos, border dahlias, begonias, and zinnias are all annuals that have to be planted each year but are suitable to go into the ground as late as August. They truly flourish in the heat of late summer. Zinnias are a popular favourite because they thrive in full sun, are fast-growing, and offer an abundance of varying hues. While perfect for cut bouquets, zinnias do require a good deal of water.
Not only do garden cosmos attract butterflies and bees, but they are also so abundant in their delicate, airy blossoms that they instantly take over any area of the garden and become a showstopper. Even on a stoop, they elevate their surroundings with their majesty; they actually grow quite high—to the point of towering over your head—and bloom in a variety of dreamy colours, from the palest pink to the most lurid magenta. Dahlias and asters are also staples of late summer and thrive in the muggiest weather. Some plants to consider that are drought-tolerant include lavender, rosemary, stonecrop, yarrow, blanketflower, blue salvia, bougainvillea, yucca, and lantana. Bougainvillea is a fast-growing woody vine known for its myriad blooms. It typically grows in tropical climates, thrives in exotic landscapes, and has paradisical associations.
“My work is the world. Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird—equal seekers of sweetness.” -Mary Oliver
The brightest and best to attract hummingbirds includes beebalm (especially crimson), along with tubular flowers, as they have an abundance of nectar that attracts hummingbirds. Some blossoms that allow easy access for feeding are trumpet vine, cardinalis, fire pinks, and jewelweed. Hummingbirds are drawn to garish colours and need a flower in which they can insert their long beak. Because all these flowers mentioned are bright and brassy, they are often mistaken for other birds.
Creating wild tablescapes with cut flowers is your answer to variety. When bored with highly manicured, generic floral designs, mix and match varying textures, shapes, and colours for the most whimsical wildflower bouquets. While some are not ideal when cut from the bush—such as hydrangea—most common summer flowers add structure and allure to any arrangement. Black-eyed Susans, nasturtiums, sunflowers, marigolds, globe amaranth, and celosia are all ideal for their vivid colours and contrasting shapes. For instance, the globe amaranth is just what you’d expect and forms an ideal juxtaposition with narrower, pointed flowers. The spherical shape of the amaranth pairs nicely with shaggy celosia that resembles an ostentatious plume or even a playful Troll doll.
Since most summer wildflowers can be found on the side of the road or in any field, they are easy to forage. If this isn’t possible, they can be purchased at a farmer’s market, grocery store, florist, or through Chelsea Flowers. For example, Queen Anne’s lace flourishes in empty parking lots and is often overlooked as a weed, but is actually one of the most outstanding features of a cottage core bouquet. Like lace, they are lovely enough to be used all on their own or can act as an elegant embellishment. Black-eyed Susans are so beloved that they can be found in almost every garden. As perennials that come back year after year, they multiply easily and add an instant pop of butter yellow to any floral arrangement.
For all your floral needs, visit Chelsea Flowers on the website.
For more information on flowers that bloom all summer and how to care for them, check out the links below:
https://www.marthastewart.com/annual-flowers-that-bloom-all-summer-7503567
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