Here are our top 5 perennials that bloom all summer long.
Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) is the longest-blooming sage plant with crimson flowers that continue to bloom well into fall, heralding the arrival of spring. With knee-high blooms, this plant is a big hit with hummingbirds and gardeners alike, and is perfect for planting in a prominent spot in the hotter areas of the garden.
Catmint – More than just a little herb for cats to frolic around in, catmint has achieved eternal cult status with the 'Walker's Law' variety being named Perennial Plant of the Year. Beautiful grey-green leaves complement the nectar-rich purple flowers that bloom all summer long and delight bees. The plant grows to about 2 feet tall, but has a creeping habit that looks attractive planted along the edges of walls and paths. Every garden needs at least one.
Coral Bells Heuchera – These plants have hill-like shapes and kaleidoscope-like leaves. The leaves are heart-shaped or triangular, each with a slight wavy pattern. They come in a variety of colors throughout June, including green, purple, bronze, and red. In spring, each produces tall spikes of small white flowers. If you like thorny plants, check out the Bird of Paradise flower.
One of the benefits of growing heucheras is that they are easy to care for. They are also drought tolerant and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions. Feed flowering plants with Watters Flower Power twice a month for colorful blooms all summer long.
Cranesbill Geranium – Grows all summer long with little to no care. Geraniums are easy to grow and can thrive in both sunny and shady locations. Geraniums are one of the most popular perennials for several reasons: They are easy to care for. They have low moisture and nutrient needs and can tolerate all soil types. Plus, they are resistant to most pests and diseases.
Daylilies – Stella d'Oro Daylilies have become a staple in office park landscapes, but there's much more to this ever-blooming daylily than just this popular gold variety. Though their color spectrum is limited to the warm end of the color wheel, exciting color patterns and flower shapes mean there are thousands of cultivars to choose from. They do best in full sun, although darker varieties do well in afternoon shade to prevent sunburn. No fertilization is necessary, but occasional deep watering during dry summer months will help.
Grit N Grace Shrub Rose – If you've been dreaming of a romantic garden filled with colorful roses but have been plagued by diseases and hassles, this is the rose you've always wanted. This new rose blooms freely without any special care. Give it plenty of sun. Fertilize twice a month with Flower Power Plant Fertilizer to keep the blooms coming through November. You'll fall in love with this new garden-blooming rose. It's disease resistant, self-sustaining, and super easy to grow.
Russian Sage – In areas with new homes, the topsoil has been stripped away and the debris left behind is barely soil at all. What to plant in such a harsh environment? Start with this extremely hardy perennial that produces sky blue flowers for the first three months. The only thing Russian Sage absolutely needs is full sun, which is essential for healthy blooms. As we all know, gardens in our area are given a generous helping of “full sun.”
Free Garden Classes in June @ Watters Garden Center
The free garden classes will be held every Saturday in June at 9:30 a.m. at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd. in Prescott.
June 8 – Better Berry and Grape Growing
Learn about berries, grapes, figs and pomegranates in this juicy, fast-paced class and leave with a bowl full of fruit fresh from the garden.
June 15th – Top 10 flowers that love the summer heat
June is a great month for garden perennials, with special emphasis on heirlooms and heat-loving varieties that do well in mountain gardens.
June 22nd – The best trees, full of fruit
Enjoy healthy food grown in your own garden. We will share tips, tricks and recipes to make your garden healthy and delicious. We will be joined by fruit tree experts who are experts in fruit trees and how to grow them.
June 29th – Gardening for Beginners
New to Arizona or new to gardening? This class is an introductory gardening class for anyone looking to become a novice gardener or gardener new to the field. Learn garden zones, frost dates, best practices, and more. After taking this class, you'll be a gardening pro!
Until next week, I'll be helping local gardeners grow their summer flowers here at Watters Garden Center.
Ken Lain is available throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd., Prescott, or can be contacted through his websites, WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.
