Tall, statement-making pink blooms make this full-sun perennial a dramatic addition to your garden. "Winter hardy throughout most of North America, this geum thrives in a sunny spot with minimal care: only some light summer watering and feeding are necessary to enjoy this garden gem," Pavlich says.
These unique blooms feature double yellow flowers that are fragrant and long-lasting, says Pavlich. Plant these in a sunny spot in your gardenβthey also make great cut flowers, too.
This pretty perennial forms a tight, rounded mound of yellow and red flowers that blooms all summer long. "Relatives of Honeybunch 'Red & Gold' come from the sunny American plains and pine savannas, ranging from Ontario, Canada to the north to Georgia in the south," says Pavlich. "'Red & Gold' needs full sun and well-drained soil to be its happiest and have a long life."
Beautifully eye-catching with pink booms, the Agastache pink pearl is easy to care for and grows well in border gardens or containers. "Agastaches are native to sunny plains and even deserts throughout the American West and Southwest," says Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development at Terra Nova Nurseries. "These pollinator magnets enjoy moderately rich but well-draining soil, especially for the winter."
Slim and upright, these perennials (also known as Montbretia) bloom in mid-summer till mid-fall in hot shades of red, orange, and yellows, says Montgomery. "These beauties attract hummingbirds and butterflies, but deer and rabbits don't care for them," she says. "They make excellent cut flowers, and they naturalize easily. They are also excellent planted in containers with annuals in similar hues to add a bright pop of color and surprise in mid-summer."
Show-stopping lilies (Lilium) are surprisingly easy to care for, says Peggy Anne Montgomery, horticulturist for Flowerbulb.eu. "Lilies are generally low-maintenance plants," she says. "They require a sunny site and well-draining soil but don't demand constant attention." Montgomery suggests growing Asiatic lilies if you prefer a fragrance-free flower or Oriental lilies if you'd like to infuse your garden with some fragrance.
An evergreen shrub, the jubilation gardenia is a sun-loving variety that produces large, fragrant, white double blooms, according to Vater. Once established, they require little effort and are disease-resistant. "Jubilation gardenias are a classic summer charmer with an intoxicating scent from spring well into fall and elegant blooms contrasting deep evergreen foliage," Vater says. "This compact grower has a tidy form and is a reliable repeat bloomer ideal for containers or flower beds near walkways, porches, and seating areas."
Quaint yellow flowers are the star of this shasta daisy variety that is both pest- and disease-resistant. "Daisies couldnβt be any easier to grow, and I love that they have a long blooming period, and this pale yellow shade is a brilliant contrast against anything that has really dark foliage," says Vater. "I consider them the sweetest of all flowers."
Full-sun exposure fuels buddleia's growth, specifically the Butterfly Candy variety, says Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection and Butterfly Candy Buddleia. It comes in five pretty shades, from purple and pink to white, and is drought-tolerant and easy to care for. "I find it so much fun to work in the garden with butterflies fluttering in and amongst these exquisite shrubs," says Vater. "They come in absolutely glorious colors and just keep on blooming throughout the season."
Asters come in a variety of shades and offer delicate, daisy-like blooms. There are many types of asters, from ground cover plants to climbing vinesβand all of them are easy to grow and care for, provided they get 6 or more hours of full sun. Asters are drought tolerant when established and are known for their resilience, says Phillips.
Dramatic and tall, blazing star (Liatris) has showy flower spikes filled with vibrant purple blooms, says Phillips. They have a pretty lengthy blooming period, from mid-summer to the fall, and are both heat and drought-tolerant. "They're ideal for the back of sunny beds, adding vertical dimension," Phillips says. Blazing star also attracts lots of pollinators, like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, providing a nectar source for them in the summer, while its seedheads provide food for birds in the winter.
Blanket flower (Gaillardia) has dainty, daisy-like blooms that stun in shades of red, yellow, and orange, says Mary Phillips, Head of Native Plant Habitat Strategy/Certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. The blanket flower is a hybrid between two different types of gaillardia flowers (a perennial gaillardia (G. aristata) and an annual gaillardia (G. pulchella)) and has adapted to thrive in hot, dry, full-sun conditions. "It's perfect for sunny borders, butterfly gardens, wildflower meadows, or containers," says Phillips. "It attracts hummingbirds and beneficial insects such as butterflies, bees, native ladybugs, and lacewings."
Light purple blooms and deep purple foliage are the hallmarks of this full-sun perennial flower. "Its rich nectar and pollen content attracts a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, enhancing the gardenβs ecological diversity," Funk says. "'Blackbeard' is known for its strong, compact stems and upright climbing habit, making it suitable for container planting and grouping in beds or borders. It thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil." This perennial also has a high tolerance for both heat and humidity, and it's drought resistant to boot, meaning it's an easy care choice for gardeners of any level.
Boasting large, bright pink blooms, the echinacea "magnus" coneflower has a long flowering season, stretching from the late spring to the fall, says Funk. The flowers can span from 4 to 6 inches in length and are a haven for birds and butterflies. This perennial is also drought tolerant, giving it the ability to truly thrive in sunny spots of your garden. "The resilience of βMagnusβ coneflower in heat and dry conditions and its versatility for garden beds and borders make it a top choice for gardeners looking to enjoy enduring blooms and effortless elegance," Funk says.
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