Even in the dog days of summer, you can achieve brilliant color in your garden with a variety of perennials and shrubs. annuals. Here are our top picks for getting late summer color in your garden.

Perennials

Allium Medusa

Popular for its ease of care and bright blossoms, Allium Medusa features blue to green, twisted leaves with a light purple, pom-pom bloom. Medusa is great for mass plantings. Plus, it is deer, rabbit and rodent resistant. Best planted in full to part sun.

Hardy Hibiscus

Hardy Hibiscus don’t ask for much besides full sun and sufficient watering. They typically bloom in late July into early August, which makes them perfect for fall landscaping. The dinner plate-sized blooms span 10-14” across and come in a variety of colors such as red, pink or white.

Coneflower

The bright red, orange, yellow and pink Coneflower blooms attract butterflies and when dried, the seeds attract birds. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat blooming. However, during the late-season leave the flowers to mature to feed the birds. Coneflowers prefer full sun.

Black-eyed Susan

With multiple uses, plant Black Eyed Susan in your landscape, container gardens or use for cut flowers. These hearty flowers enjoy full to partial sun and well-drained soil. Similar to Coneflowers, prolong the bloom period by deadheading your Black Eyed Susan. These are a low-maintenance option for late summer color.

Yarrow

For a spectacular display of red, white and yellow plant Yarrow in your landscape! This hardy perennial features fern-like leaves with large clusters of blooms. Yarrow is pest resistant, drought resistant, attracts butterflies and is an aromatic herb! Not many other perennials are this impressive. Plant yarrow in full sun.

Toad Lilies

No late summer, into fall, garden should go without Toad Lilies. A perennial that prefers shady and moist areas of the garden, Toad Lilies bloom in late August to mid-September. Similar in appearance to delicate orchids, the blooms are slightly speckled. If you have Toad Lilies in your garden, apply the I Must Garden Animal Repellent as they are a popular treat among deer and rabbits.

Coral Bells

Coral Bells come in a wide array of colors and are predominantly a foliage plant, with the exception of small, dainty flower spikes that bloom bell-like flowers. They are perfect for either sunny or shady areas and prefer well-drained soil. Coral Bells perform well when planted directly in the ground, but can also be stunning in container gardens. Just remember to plant in the ground before it freezes.

Sedum

There are two types of Sedum: Stonecrop or Creeping. Ranging from green and blue to yellow and red, Sedum is an ideal ground cover or performs well in rock gardens. Cauticola is a favorite Creeping Sedum. It is a blue-leafed variety with pink to purple blooms in fall.  All Sedums prefer full sun and well-drained soil. With too much water, they begin to rot.

Shrubs

Butterfly Bush

With panicle shaped purple blooms, Butterfly Bush will attract butterflies all season long. For smaller areas try the Pugster. This compact beauty grows 2 feet wide and tall. For a larger area try the Grand Cascade, which grows 7 to 8 feet tall. Plant in full sun to part shade.

Rose of Sharon

For late-blooming pops of color, Rose of Sharon is a perfect choice.Blooming in whites, reds, lavenders, and blues, this plant is a must-have. Contrary to its name this plant isn’t really a rose. It actually belongs in the Hibiscus family. Plant in full to partial sun.

Candy Corn Spirea

Use this garden treat to add yellow, red and oranges to your garden. Candy Corn Spirea has bright red foliage in the spring that fades to yellow and orange by late summer and into fall. It is a compact plant, great for hedges and border gardens. Plant in full to part sun.

My Monet Weilgea

A beloved garden shrub for several years now, this dwarf masterpiece has pretty variegated foliage. Its super dwarf habit makes it ideal for most any landscape use. With pink flowers in spring, My Monet Weilgea will add season-long color to your garden or landscape. Plant in full to part sun.

Ninebark

This versatile shrub does it all. From providing four-season color, to attracting pollinators this plant is a must-have in your garden. Available in cooper, purple and lemon candy varieties, this plant is sure to bring interest to your landscape all year. Plant in full sun.

Annuals

Mums

If you decorate with a lot of fall harvest items, such as pumpkins or hay, incorporate white, yellow and gold mums into your garden.  Mums are often treated as annuals, but can be perennials if provided with the proper care which include mulching and pinching to encourage compact growth. Place mums in full sun.

Coleus

Coleus is the winning annual for late summer color! With watercolor painted foliage, you can wow neighbors with a beautiful display of color. Coleus prefers sunny or shady areas, but when planted in more sun their colors become significantly more vibrant. If planting in areas with more sun, ensure they receive more water.

Pansies

Pansies are another classic option for late summer or fall color. They bloom best in full sun to partial shade, but will bloom longer when placed in partial shade. Ideal for your container gardens, Pansies bloom overlapping, heart-shaped petals in a variety of fall colors.

Watch our video: Late Summer Color for more ideas on adding color to your garden and landscape all year.

For more information on caring for your garden visit any English Gardens location and talk with an expert.