FLOWERING PLANTS THAT BLOOM ALL SUMMER LONG

As spring wears off and summer heat picks-up, most gardeners find it rather tiring to work in the garden.
That’s why you need to look for flowering plants––both annuals and perennials––that bloom profusely throughout the season without much pampering from you.
Fortunately, you have a wide selection of summer bloomers to choose from.
1.PETUNIA
Petunias grown as annuals have one of the longest flowering seasons, right from mid-spring to late fall.
Hybrid petunias with the trailing habit, commonly known as Purple Wave-petunias, are extremely floriferous and versatile. First introduced in purple color, they are now available in several shades of pink, purple, blue and red, and also in creamy white.
The tiny seeds of petunias are a bit difficult to start indoors, so buying young plants in nursery flats is your best-bet.
Set them out in well-draining beds in a sunny-location once all danger of frost has passed, or grow them in containers. They are excellent for hanging-pots. Keep them happy with regular watering and feeding.
2.GAILLARDIA
Gaillardia is another summer flowering-plant that never seems to get tired of blooming all through the season and beyond.
They are ideal for filling-up less frequented areas in the garden because poor soil and neglect seem to make them flourish even more. They keep blooming whether you deadhead the spent flowers or not, but this exercise keeps them neat.

3.COREOPSIS
Commonly called Tickseed, the low growing coreopsis is an old-time favorite. It is actually a perennial in warmer regions but is more often grown as an annual elsewhere.

The yellow and gold flowers are borne on thin, long stems that hold them well above the foliage for good-effect. Once they start appearing––towards the end of spring––they go non-stop until summer turns into fall. Deadheading ensures more-flowers.

4.MARIGOLD
Often grown in vegetable gardens to keep off pests, French Marigolds are well known to gardeners. They are compact in size, with a bushy, slightly spreading habit.
Their yellow-orange flowers, often having varying amounts of red-maroon, usually have a single or double-layer of petals.
5.ASTER
The delicate daisy-like flowers of asters in pinks, purples, lavender, and white bring cheer to your garden from early summer to fall. Their cut-and-come back nature keeps your vases full and flower-beds bright.

Asters can be started from seeds, but purchasing young plants is the best option. Plant them out in spring for summer blooming that usually extends to fall. Asters do well in both full sun and partial sun, but they can’t stand too much heat. Rich and moist-soil with good drainage brings out the best in these beauties.


6.DAHLIA
These old favorites are making a comeback in new avatars. You can now choose from large, dinner plate dahlias to small daisy-flowered bedding dahlias, with pom-poms and ruffled ones in between. There’s endless variety in solids, bi-colors, and variegation too.
They can only go in the ground when the temperature rises above 60F, but starting them indoors a few-weeks ahead of spring ensures early summer-flowers.