Woodie's Picks: Late Summer Blooming Favorites
Can you believe it’s already the end of July?! We certainly cannot. As we round out the summer season, we wanted to highlight that there is still so much beauty left to enjoy in the later summer landscape!
In this blog, we will discuss four of our all-time favorite late-summer bloomers worth incorporating into your landscape. Additionally, we will highlight some of Woodie’s tips and tricks for making those blooms last through the fall!
Favorite Late Summer Bloomers
The end of summer can bring on many emotions: sadness for the end of a chapter, eagerness for the start of a new school year, and excitement for all the exciting endeavors that come with the fall and winter. What better way to express these feelings and enjoy the last bits of summer than to soak up all the magnificent blooms the late season has to offer?
Hibiscus Summerific Perfect Storm
We love Hardy Hibiscus plants for so many reasons. They are both swamp and drought-tolerant, they can handle cooler temperatures, they are hardy to the elements, and they produce giant dinner-plate-sized blooms daily!
One of our most-loved hardy hibiscus is the Hibiscus Summerific Perfect Storm. This hardy rose mallow plant produces massive white blooms splashed with deep pink centers that bleed out onto the petals. These plants grow tall in a bush-like form and make the perfect addition to yard borders, pathways, and plantings along swampy areas like rivers and ponds.
Black Knight Butterfly Bush
This particular shrub caught our attention for this week’s spotlight specifically because it has been serving as a pollinator magnet in our greenhouses as of late. Everything from butterflies and bumble bees, to the iconic hummingbird moth have been frequenting the deep purple blooms on the Black Knight Butterfly Bush every single day!
The cones of deep purple blooms start emerging in mid July and typically persist through to the first frost of fall. If you want to transform your outdoor space into a pollinator’s oasis, the Black Knight Buddleia is a plant worth incorporating!
Red Rocket Crape Myrtle
Next on the list is a classic summer blooming tree that radiates beauty in any and every summer landscape it’s a part of. The Red Rocket Crape Myrtle boasts deep cherry red ruffled flower heads that contrast magically with the tree’s deep green lustrous foliage.
The vibrant firework of color is the main seller of this iconic summer blooming tree. Beyond the blooms, the Red Rocket Crape Myrtle has uniquely smooth cinnamon-brown bark that brings an upscale, clean feel to any landscape. Consider planting this tree alone as a statement piece, or in a neat row lining a driveway for a gorgeous year-round display of beauty.
Coral Knock Out Rose
Last on the list of favorite late summer bloomers is the vibrant and well-loved Coral Knock Out Rose. This long-blooming shrub produces coral-colored blooms from spring through to fall! As a fan-favorite in the Knock Out series, the Coral radiates warmth and bright energy.
In addition to the shrub’s vibrant blooms, this plant is praised for its drought tolerance along with its impressive resistance to disease. If you want the best bang for your buck, certainly opt for a Knock Out Rose in the late summer garden.
How To Make Summer Blooms Last
Everyone can agree summer blooming plants are incredible; but, it begs the question: How do we make these gorgeous summer blooms last? Lucky for you, Woodie has a lifetime of knowledge and secrets he's willing to share with you to make the most out of your summer garden! Woodie's four guidelines to the longest season of blooms is as follows:
1. Deadhead Spent Blooms
Woodie's number one tip for prolonging the bloom time of your summer plants, (and any season for that matter) is deadheading. Trimming the spent blooms off your plants allows it to send energy towards creating new blooms instead of sending energy towards old ones.
2. Fertilize Your Flowering Plants
Next on the list of tips to extend blooms is fertilizing! Giving your plants the essential nutrients they need for new growth is key in ensuring the most plentiful blooms.
3. Evaluate Your Lighting
The next important step in extending bloom times is evaluating your plant's sunshine needs. If your plant is not producing a plethora of blooms, it is likely that your plant is craving a little more sunshine in its regimen! Consider moving the plant to a sunnier spot and see if it thrives.
4. Keep Tabs On Precipitation Levels & Water Accordingly
The last important step in ensuring the best and longest lasting blooms is keeping tabs on the precipitation levels in your area. Many newly established plants require more water than you might realize. If it hasn't rained a ton in your area this summer, you should supplement your plant with regular watering in the mornings and evenings.
Shop Late Summer Bloomers Online
If you think you’re late the part that is summer gardening…think again! There are so many incredible plant varieties that are just beginning their bloom journey, and they are ready to light up your garden today! Shop our wide range of summer blooming plants online today and enjoy convenient shipment to your doorstep