summer bloomers

Boost your mood and the look of your garden with a range of ever-popular summer flowering plants. Not only do they add eye-catching pizzazz to outdoor landscaping but also bring summer cheer to the festive season.

Canna

(also known as Canna lily even though it’s not a true lily) is a genus of 19 species of perennial flowering plants. Originally from South America, these bold, bright and beautiful plants thrive in the tropics though adapt well to cooler climates.

Cannas look spectacular when mass-planted; however I suggest you opt for a single species if space is at a premium. Cannas prefer rich, moist soil (especially during warmer months), and either full sun or areas that receive shade in the afternoon. Plants should be deadheaded for continual bloom, and fertilised in early to mid-summer to keep them looking their best.

Dahlias

are one my favourite summer flowers because of their pretty palette, which ranges from soft pastels to bright reds and deep burgundys. The more you cut them, the more they bloom, so decorate indoor areas with cuttings throughout the holidays. You can choose Dahlia bulbs to compliment the colour scheme of your garden, or use them as a bold accent of contrasting colour. 

You can grow dahlias from seed or from tubers of named varieties. Preferring sunny positions sheltered on the southern and western sides, dahlias require well-drained soil and stakes to support growing plants and protect them from high winds.

Lavenders

are one of those traditional plants that have been used throughout the centuries for their culinary, medicinal, and horticultural qualities. The genus includes annuals, herbaceous plants, subshrubs, and small shrubs, with the most common being Lavandula angustifolia

This hardy, perennial plant is easily recognised by its pale lavender to purple flowers and unmistakeably floral fragrance with woody undertones. Lavenders thrive in full sun and develop a good root system, so they don’t need too much water (in fact, they don’t like wet feet). As the plant ages it becomes bushy so pruning is essential; however retain some of the green foliage to avoid cutting into the old wood. 

Marigolds

, which are commonly referred to as tagetes and calendulas, add life to gardens with their vibrant orange and yellow colour spectrum. Not only do they look great but also deter pests like moths and caterpillars with their pungent odour. Marigolds are easy to grow and make an ideal border plant due to their compact 30cm to 60cm size. Sow seeds directly into fertile soil, sheltered from the wind with a sunny aspect and watch them flower around 50 days later.

Sunflowers

are like the poster child of summer, both in name and design. Possessing a large inflorescence (flowering head), and bright yellow colour, they add instant joy to your summer garden. As the name suggests, sunflowers need full sunlight to grow, along with moist, fertile, well-drained soil. These beautiful plants grow to heights ranging from 1.5m to 3.5m, adding elevation to gardens and masking unsightly boundary walls and fences.

Because they’re so easy to grow from seed, sunflowers are a great way to introduce children to gardening. Sow seeds in late spring and early summer when the soil is starting to warm up, watering them regularly to keen the well-prepared beds weed free. Sunflowers will germinate in a few days, providing instant gratification for kids and adults alike.