Just because summer is ending doesn’t mean your garden has to lose its colour and beauty. While many blooms begin to fade, some flowers actually flourish in cooler weather. Choosing the right varieties now can keep your outdoor spaces vibrant well into fall.
A gardening expert on Martha Stewart’s blog emphasised that the “gardening” season isn’t over. “There’s still time to grow flowers that handle the changing weather,” they noted. “Selecting the right varieties is essential, as not all blooms thrive once the days shorten and temperatures drop.” Here are three colourful flowers that love cooler conditions.
1. Asters
Asters, also known as Symphyotrichum, are beautiful purple flowers that thrive in cooler temperatures. Planting them later in the summer is wise, as the colder weather will stimulate their root growth.
These colourful blooms are beautiful to behold and will also attract pollinators. Linda Langelo, a horticulture specialist at Colorado State University Extension, said: “The asters in my landscape have been visited by many different butterflies.”
According to Gardeners’ World, potted asters require regular watering, while those planted in the ground typically only need water during extended dry spells.
They thrive when the soil is allowed to dry before a deep watering, rather than with frequent shallow watering. While they generally don’t need fertilising, applying an organic mulch in spring can be beneficial.
2. Coneflowers
Coneflowers (Echinacea) are known for their daisy-like flowers and for their use in herbal medicine. They do best when planted in late summer as they prefer cooler temperatures; in fact, planting them too early in the summer can cause them to wither.
Linda stated, “They also need consistent moisture that doesn’t exist in the early summer.” An expert at Gardener’s World admitted, “They’re easy to grow as they tolerate most soils (except very dry ones), and their sturdy stems mean that staking is unnecessary.”
However, they need full sun, so it’s crucial to plant them now at the end of summer.
3. Lungwort
Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) thrives in late summer. It can wilt in the intense heat of early and midsummer, so it’s best to plant it later in the season as temperatures begin to cool.
Linda added, “Lungwort makes a great ground cover. I recommend using it because the spotted leaves of the lungwort plant give it added appeal in a shady location.”
According to Gardener’s World, green enthusiasts should plant in moist, well-drained soil with partial to full shade. They can be grown individually or in groups on fertile soil.
“Once established, they require minimal care, with just one or two cutbacks per year.”