As we enter the 'dog-days' of summer our gardens are smothered by heat, shorted on water and deprived of nutrients. What looked fantastic in May looks a wee-bit tired by late summer. One of the lessons of garden design is to visit your garden centres throughout the year. That way you can see what looks good in the different seasons. Use these seven plants to brighten up and re-invigorate the garden, containers and landscapes in August.
Sun Sparkler Firecracker Sedum
Sedum 'Firecracker'
Sun Sparkler Firecracker is a brilliant burgundy-red Sedum with clusters of soft pink flowers in late summer. Its perfect for shallow containers or tucked into rockery or a green wall, where it will gently cascade. An excellent groundcover or accent for borders and rock gardens. Great low water, low maintenance plant. Grows 6-8 inches tall and wide. Hardy in USDA zones 4-10. Prefers full sun
Anemone Fantasy Cinderella
Anemone x hybrida 'Cinderella'
This heavy blooming, single, rose-pink anemone has a very compact growth habit. Good for beds, borders and patio pots. It is very versatile and easy to grow. Tolerates a range of soil types and prefers full sun to part shade. Blooms in late summer through fall. Grows 12-18 inches tall and up to 24 inches wide.
Fireworks Pennisetum
Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks'
This gorgeous annual pennisetum is a show stopper in the garden. It's a colour, upright growing grass with variegated stripes of white, green, burgundy and hot pink running the length of the blade. Purple tassles appear in summer. Unlike the species, this cultivar does not reseed. Plant as a specimen or in mass for a stunning display of color. A great addition to containers and beds near your patio or deck. Grow in full sun in rich, moist, fertile soil. Likes regular watering. Excellent in containers, borders and flower beds. Grows 36-48 inches tall and 24-36 inches wide.
Now Cheesier Coneflower
Echinacea 'Now Cheesier'
This bright and showy selection is a vigorous, new and improved version of 'Mac and Cheese' Coneflower. Large flowers open a deep orange-gold and age to a lighter gold in summer through fall. Perfect for perennial borders, mixed borders and wildlife gardens. Grows 24-26 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide. Prefers full to part sun and moderate watering. Hardy in zones 4-9.
Sombrero Salsa Red Coneflower
Echinacea x 'Balsomsed'
Sombrero Salsa Red is a striking echinacea with big, bright red blooms excellent for an easy, colourful summer border. A must-have for the butterfly or cutting garden. Its a drought tolerant perennial that was bred for cold hardiness and compact form with prolific flowering over an exceptionally long season. Flowers from late spring through summer and reaches a height of 24-26 inches tall and 16 to 22 inches wide. Prefers full sun. Hardy in zones 4-9
Red Heart Rose of Sharon
Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart'
Red Heart Hibiscus is a deciduous shrub with single white blooms with a red centre in late summer on a medium sized shrub. Grows 4-6ft tall and 6-8 ft high. Prefers full sun to part shade. In general, hibiscus are heavy feeders, if you notice yellowing leaves, feed it with a balanced fertilizer and ensure that it is not being over-watered. Hardy in zones 5-9
Rhapsody in Pink Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit VIII'
Rhapsody in Pink is a wonderful large deciduous shrub or small tree very common in warmer drier climates. It features brilliant pink flowers in summer through fall which is accented by attractive purplish, deer resistant foliage. Prefers full sun and moist, but well drained soils. Fertilize in spring. In our temperate climate, the shrub is usually hardy but often does not get enough summer warmth to deliver the beautiful flowers in abundance. Hardy in zones 7-9.
Berry Smoothie Coral Bells
Heuchera 'Berry Smoothie'
Perennial Heucheras are fantastic source of colour when summer blooms have faded. Berry Smoothie features large, gently-lobed, metallic rose-pink leaves in spring that darken to bronze-red by summer. It is tolerate of summer heat too. It adds brilliant colour and contrast to mixed containers and woodland plants. It is well suited to containers. Tall flower spikes are apparent but not always showy. Best grown in part sun with moderate watering. Grows 18-25 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide. Hardy in zones 4-8.
As always, call Arts Nursery ahead of time to confirm availability as our selection is constantly changing. If you have any questions about these or other plants, drop by in person or call 604.882.1201.