by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener
Revitalize your late summer garden with Bluebeard, a stunning shrub that delivers airy clusters of blue blooms when most other plants are winding down. It’s a low-maintenance beauty, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, and tolerates heat and drought like a champ. Bluebeard isn’t just a feast for the eyes, though – it’s a haven for pollinators, especially hummingbirds, while deer tend to steer clear. The blooms make fantastic cut flowers for a pop of blue in your home.
Transform your summer garden into a butterfly paradise with the vibrant and fragrant Butterfly Bush. Picture a head-high bush bursting with blooms of purple, lavender, blue, pink, and white, filling the air with an irresistible perfume that lingers from summer through autumn. By deadheading spent flowers, you prolong this breathtaking spectacle and prevent unwanted spreading, ensuring your garden remains a sanctuary for these enchanting creatures. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, Butterfly Bushes are a low-maintenance way to attract and delight butterflies and gardeners alike.
Infuse your summer garden with vibrant color and an enchanting fragrance by planting Chaste Bush. This multi-stemmed shrub graces your landscape with long, colorful lilac, blue, or pink blooms that last from early summer through fall, attracting butterflies and pollinators. Chaste Bush’s aromatic leaves also add to its appeal, emitting a delightful scent when brushed or crushed. Its resilience to heat and drought makes it a perfect choice for sunny gardens with low water requirements. Chaste Bush provides beauty and resilience and has a long history of medicinal use, adding an extra layer of interest to this alluring plant.
Ignite your summer landscape with the vibrant and enduring beauty of Crape Myrtle! This versatile flowering tree boasts a kaleidoscope of colors, from dazzling pinks and purples to serene whites and reds, that bloom for an extended period throughout the summer heat. But the allure of Crape Myrtle goes beyond its stunning flowers; its unique bark peels to reveal smooth, colorful patches, adding visual interest even after the blooms fade. Resilient and adaptable, Crape Myrtle thrives in full sun and various soil conditions, making it a low-maintenance choice for any garden. Whether you’re looking for a statement tree or a vibrant addition to your landscape, Crape Myrtle promises a captivating display of color and texture that will last for years.
Forget the fuss of high-maintenance roses! Discover the modern shrub rose, a vibrant and resilient bloomer that graces your garden with a symphony of colors all summer. These hardy beauties boast disease resistance and effortless growth, showcasing shades from pink to red, white, and yellow. Thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and watch as these stunning roses transform your landscape into a colorful haven. Just be mindful of their thorns and plant them away from walkways for worry-free enjoyment.
Brighten your summer garden with the effortless charm of the Potentilla! This popular shrub is a low-maintenance superstar, blooming non-stop from late spring through fall with a vibrant array of yellow, orange, red, or white flowers. Not only is it a joy to behold, but it’s also a pollinator powerhouse, attracting butterflies and bees galore. Plus, it’s incredibly adaptable, thriving in various soil conditions, even dry ones. Potentilla is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a hassle-free way to add a splash of color and attract beneficial insects to your garden. Javelina proof!
Brighten your summer landscape with the vibrant and resilient Rose of Sharon! This stunning shrub bursts into bloom in midsummer, showcasing an array of tropical-looking flowers in shades of pink, lavender-blue, and white, lasting well into early autumn. With varieties like ‘Sugar Tip’ boasting variegated foliage and double pink blooms, there’s a Rose of Sharon to suit every taste. Not only is it a visual delight, but it’s also a low-maintenance choice, thriving in full sun and a range of soil conditions. Opt for sterile varieties like ‘Minerva’ to avoid unwanted seedlings and enjoy a season-long spectacle of color in your garden
Elevate your summer garden with the ethereal beauty and resilience of Russian sage. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun, producing an abundance of silvery foliage and delicate lavender-blue flowers that bloom for weeks and weeks. Not only does Russian sage add a touch of whimsy and romance to your landscape, but it also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing the ecological diversity of your garden. Its aromatic foliage and long-lasting blooms make it versatile for borders, meadows, or container gardens. Deer Proof!
Transform your garden into a captivating spectacle with the Smoke Bush. This show-stopping shrub commands attention from summer through fall. While the delicate pink plumes add a touch of whimsy throughout the warmer months, the vibrant foliage truly steals the show. Most varieties boast deep purple leaves that ignite into a kaleidoscope of fiery yellows, oranges, and reds come autumn. Flourishing in full sun and well-drained soil, this low-maintenance beauty will be the envy of all your gardening friends.
There are more, but these are the nine you will find in bloom at the garden center now, and you prefer planting during the summer heat.
Take a Free Garden Class and Learn More! Free Garden Classes every Saturday in July @ Watters
July 13 @ 9:30 am How to Heal Sick Plants
You will have insights on water, disease and bugs that will make a difference in your gardens immediately. Plants are going to love you.
July 20 @ 9:30 am – Living Walls & Privacy Barriers
We share the fastest growing plants for fast screening. Block unsightly neighbors, enhance your view and cut noise and light pollution. Design experts are on hand for unique situations.
July 27 @ 9:30 am – Top 10 Trees for Fresh Fruit
The strongest fruit trees are shared in this class with the insider tips that produce bushels of apples, pears, cherry, apricot, plum, peaches and more. Special focus on cocktail trees and how to plant for success.
Until next week, I’ll be helping gardeners attract more garden butterflies here at Watters Garden Center.
