The Best Picks For Late Summer Plants
As the summer progresses in Somerset, gardens come alive with vibrant colours and lush greenery. Picking the right plants is imperative to keep this picture-perfect scene going through the last phase of summer.
Whether you’re a seasoned garden enthusiast or have a budding green thumb, knowing which plants thrive during this period can significantly enhance your outdoors.
While late-summer plants may not be the traditional choice, there are quite a few exceptional species that bloom during this time and can add months of lush greenery to your garden.
In this blog post, Avery Gardens & Grounds Maintenance will share our top choices for late-summer gardens, helping you wrap up the season on a high note.
The Significance of Late-Summer Plants
Late summer brings its set of challenges and opportunities. As the extreme heat of mid-summer fades and hints of autumn start to appear, choosing robust plants is key to maintaining a vibrant, appealing garden.
Late-summer plants not only add an immediate splash of colour to your garden but also ensure that your outdoors stay charming and attractive even as the season changes. Late-summer plants are available in a range of shapes and sizes, making them perfect for gardens, public parks, and landscapes in and around Somerset.
At Avery Gardens & Grounds Maintenance, we provide top-notch landscaping services, leveraging local expertise to assist various outdoor environments bloom across the county. We can help you amplify your garden’s potential all year round, helping you enjoy months of beauty irrespective of the weather.
To make the most out of this season and keep your garden appealing until the last days of summer, consider adding these late-summer plants:
Perennial Marvels
Transitioning from the intensity of summer to the more relaxed, cooler days of autumn is the perfect time to inject your garden with the vibrant energy and stunning colours of perennial plants.
Whether you’re a seasoned or a novice gardener, our detailed guide to these late-summer plants will inspire you to choose the right perennials to help your garden thrive year after year.
Here are the top perennial plants for late-summer blooms:
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Recognised as the Coneflower, Echinacea is essential for any late-summer garden. These durable perennials are popular for their striking daisy-like flowers and drought resilience.
They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, making them an excellent choice for various landscapes.
Benefits of These Late Summer Plants:
- Long flowering period
- Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
- Low maintenance
Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
Another perennial standout, Rudbeckia, offers bright yellow blooms with dark centres that last well into autumn. These remarkably adaptable plants can prosper in both full sun and partial shade.
They are also known for their drought resistance and ability to draw wildlife, making them an asset across landscapes in the region.
Benefits of These Late Summer Plants:
- Lengthy flowering period
- Attracts beneficial insects
- Withstands poor soil conditions
Annual Champions
Annual plants grow from seeds, bloom, produce seeds, and die all within one year. This unique lifecycle makes them an outstanding choice for late summer planting.
Annual plants can bring bright colours and fresh scents as they bloom in a breathtaking display, even when other plants start fading. This ensures your garden continues to look captivating even at the season’s end.
The resilience and beauty of annual plants make them an excellent addition to any garden looking for a seasonal burst of life.
Some superb examples of annual late summer plants include:
Zinnia
Zinnias are a splendid choice for adding a burst of colour to your late-summer garden. These annuals are available in a wide range of colours and are renowned for their long-lasting blooms.
Zinnias prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and they fit well in beds, borders, or as cut flowers to spread colour around your home.
Benefits of These Late Summer Plants:
- Vibrant and diverse colour palette
- Excellent for cutting and arranging
- Easy to grow from seed
Cosmos
Cosmos are another annual that prosper in late summer and are ideal for all kinds of landscapes, as they are easy to grow. Cosmos can reach significant heights, creating an impressive visual impact in all outdoor spaces and bringing a unique appearance to the landscape.
With its delicate, fern-like foliage and vibrant flowers, cosmos is perfect for adding an elegant touch to any garden.
Benefits of These Late Summer Plants:
- Low maintenance
- Attracts butterflies and pollinators like bees
- Extended blooming period
Shrubs and Bushes
Shrubs and bushes are a perfect choice for late summer plants. As summer starts to fade, and early fall’s temperate weather sets in, these hearty plants continue to thrive; adding life to your garden beyond many other species’ lifespan.
As well as their aesthetics, these late summer plants offer structural strength to your landscape design. Some shrubs and bush species even bear fruit, adding a functional aspect to their aesthetic appeal and sparking new life in your garden.
The resilience and adaptability of shrubs and bushes make them an excellent choice for late summer plants, ensuring a green and blooming garden even as the seasons shift.
Hydrangea
A classic choice for late summer planting, Hydrangeas offer large, showy blooms that last deep into late summer. They like partial shade and well-drained soil, making them suitable for various landscapes across the region.
Hydrangeas come in various colours, depending on the soil pH, making them a flexible addition to any garden design.
Benefits of These Late Summer Plants:
- Long flowering season
- Available in a variety of colours and types
- Suitable for different garden designs
Buddleja
Known as the butterfly bush, Buddleja is a must-have for attracting pollinators and adds beauty to all kinds of gardens. These shrubs produce large, fragrant flower spikes that bloom from summer through autumn.
Buddlejas prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them excellent for Somerset’s late summer climate.
Benefits of These Late Summer Plants:
- Attracts butterflies and other pollinators
- Fragrant, beautiful flowers
- Low maintenance
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses offer a splendid showcase of texture, form, and colour and are ideal late-summer plants. These plants are not just aesthetically pleasing but also thrive in the later summer part, helping keep your garden vibrant and lively even as the season ends.
Their resilience to changing weather conditions and minimal maintenance requirements make ornamental grasses an ideal choice for those looking to extend their garden’s display into the autumn season.
Miscanthus (Maiden Grass)
Miscanthus is an ornamental grass that adds texture and movement to your garden. It prospers in full sun and accommodates a variety of soil conditions, making it ideal for all outdoor spaces.
The tall plumes that emerge in late summer provide an elegant backdrop for other flowering plants, adding that final touch to any garden design.
Benefits of These Late Summer Plants:
- Adds texture and height
- Drought-resistant and suitable for various soil types
- Minimal maintenance
Pennisetum (Fountain Grass)
Pennisetum, or fountain grass, is another great choice for late summer, as it looks suitable in various gardens. This grass produces gracious, arching stems topped with fluffy seed heads that capture light beautifully, adding a soft, ethereal quality to your garden.
Benefits of These Late Summer Plants:
- Attractive seed heads
- Versatile in different garden settings
- Low water requirement
Late-Summer Bloomers
Late summer bloomers are selected specifically for their ability to thrive and bloom during the late summer period. When many other flowers start to fade, these late-summer bloomers come alive, providing unexpected colour and life to your garden even as the season starts to wind down.
These late summer plants are not only known for their resilience in lingering warm temperatures, but they also help extend your garden’s beauty into the changing seasons. They are an excellent choice for late summer planting, ensuring your outdoor space stays vibrant and attractive.
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum is a late-summer bloomer known for its succulent leaves and vibrant flower clusters. These plants are incredibly hardy and can prosper in poor soil conditions. They prefer full sun, making them ideal for all types of gardens.
Sedum is excellent for adding colour and texture to rock gardens or borders.
Benefits of These Late Summer Plants:
- Drought resistant
- Attracts pollinators, like bees
- Low maintenance
Aster
Asters are a favourite in all kinds of gardens. They successfully extend the blooming season into late summer and autumn. These perennials produce masses of small, daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white, making them highly attractive in various locations.
Asters prefer full sun and well-drained soil, so they require a bit more care compared to other late-summer blooms.
Benefits of These Late Summer Plants:
- Extended blooming period
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Adds late-season colour to all gardens
Essential Tips for Late-Summer Gardening
If you’re keen on boosting the life and colour in your garden this month, the following crucial advice will help you get the most out of late summer planting:
- Preparation: Ensure your soil is well-drained and rich in organic matter before planting in late summer. Compost or well-rotted manure can improve your soil’s structure and fertility.
- Watering: Late summer can still experience hot and dry periods. Hence, regular watering is essential.
- Mulching: Applying a layer of organic mulch around your new plants helps retain moisture, control weeds, and maintain consistent soil temperatures. This practice is particularly beneficial as temperatures start to fluctuate in the upcoming season.
- Plant Selection: For effective selection of late summer plants, opt for species that blend seamlessly with your current garden design. Take into account factors like height, colour, and blooming period to establish a unified arrangement that magnifies the appeal of your outdoor setting.
- Fertilisation: Although many late summer plants are resilient and have low upkeep, a gentle application of a balanced fertiliser can supply the essential nutrients to encourage growth and flowering. Always adhere to the product instructions meticulously to prevent over-fertilisation, which can damage your plants.
- Pest Control: Remain vigilant for signs of pests and diseases, as late summer is often accompanied by a spike in infestations. Either organic or chemical solutions can be utilised to help maintain your late summer plants in peak condition.
By following these guidelines and choosing the appropriate plants, you can ensure your garden retains its allure and vitality deep into the colder months, enhancing your environment with its vividness as nature readies for the seasonal shift.
Conclusion
Crafting a mesmerising late-summer garden in Somerset relies on picking the right plants and providing adequate care. By selecting a diverse mix of perennials, annuals, shrubs, and grasses, you can create a garden that remains vibrant and captivating even as the seasons transition.
Just as the season is nearing its end, this doesn’t mean your garden should wane. Make the most of the pleasant weather by integrating some late-summer plants.
Get in Touch Today
Ready to transform your garden? Our proficient team at Avery Gardens & Grounds Maintenance is ready to assist you.
Contact us today to arrange a consultation and begin crafting your dream garden.
