This is the time of year I start getting calls about gardens looking tired. Many perennials have faded and it feels like we are waiting for the fall perennials to bloom. Here are a few perennials to perk up the garden in August.
Red coneflower is my favorite flower blooming in my garden right now. While I have the still have the purple coneflower it is not quite a knockout like the red. There are many varieties of these Echinacea like ‘Tomato Soup’, ‘Hot Papaya’ and ‘Hot Lava’ and I believe I have ‘Hot Papaya’. Like all coneflower they require full sun.
Phlox paniculata is a tall phlox that requires full sun. This one is ‘Bright Eyes’ which is pale pink but there are also fun colors in red, hot pink and white. I think it looks best tucked in the middle to the back of the garden. Not great by itself. Be aware that deer seem to love this perennial.
If you have room in your garden this False Sunflower, Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Summer Sun’ is a great flower to help with the summer doldrums. It gets 3-4′ and is great for flower arrangements. It likes full sun. I have a big row of these flowers along my deck.
Red bee balm, Monarda ‘Gardenview Scarlet’ is another favorite this time of year. I have it mixed with tall common yarrow in this picture. It likes full sun and is about 3′ high. Hummingbirds have a great time with this flower and the deer tend to leave it alone.
Blossom Better 