By midsummer, some flowers are in their showy season while others have faded away. To create a garden with blooms that last well into late summer, you need varieties that will flourish even under high-heat and drought conditions.
Of course, a lot depends on where you live. So, when choosing plants, bulbs and tubers, always check to make sure they’re appropriate for your USDA garden zone. And while you’re at it, look for information about the number of days between planting time and bloom time. This will help you plan a garden that provides color when you want it, eliminating the disappointment and discouragement that often comes with guesswork.
Now let me share with you several of the flowers I rely on throughout the summer here at my farm in Kentucky. These are some of the best bloomers around!
Tall phlox are a good, old-fashioned garden staple. They’re hardy under most summer conditions and add vertical interest to your garden design. Their big, luscious blooms with clusters of tiny blossoms attract pollinators. They also keep well when harvested before fully opened and add distinction to floral arrangements. Here at K. van Bourgondien, you can find a variety of tall phlox in a variety of colors. When choosing a color, keep in mind the tones you want on display in your garden and the hues customers tend to prefer in their bouquets.
Rudbeckia, also known as Black-Eyed Susan, is an all-time favorite that performs with ease. It has a long vase life, and it’s often the star in floral designs. I’ve never gone a growing season without having this summer-loving bloomer in my gardens and fields. The blooms provide cheery color throughout the summer and on into fall. To encourage more buds and blooms, I deadhead regularly and encourage you to do the same. There are many varieties of rudbeckia, and I love all the ones I grow here on my farm. Hands down, rudbeckia is the best bloomer around!
Last but not least, lilies! Regardless of variety—Oriental, Tiger, Asiatic or Trumpet—lilies are among the best summertime bloomers. They’re the showstoppers that perform brilliantly among foliage, scrubs and other garden plants. On a flower farm, they make a fine-looking field crop. Also, lilies add class and charm to any floral arrangement. When incorporated into bouquets, they increase the price point. Growing lilies will truly make your flower farm stand out from all the rest.
Happy Gardening!
Pamela Anthony
Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden