Perennial flower that blooms in August? What should I plant?

Question

I have a new flower bed that has tulips in the spring, all varieties of lillies in mid summer, but nothing in August. It just looks so bare (other than the dying stems). What would be a good perennial flower that I could put in there that would bloom in August. I'm looking for something that is a good filler, bright and colorful. I would like something between 12" and 36" with a great "wow" factor, but not overly expensive. I don't want ground cover, or a fast spreading plant, as it would choke out the other things I have planted. I was hoping maybe someone could help me out.

The flower bed is pretty large (20x40), with full to partial shade. There is a large tree in the middle that gives it the shade mid-day. Its location is dead center in the front yard. The ground isn't the best. I've filled it with loam, but its pretty rocky under that. I live in zone 6, so I need something that will survive a New England winter. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I know you are requesting flowers, but have you thought of a foundation planting of Euonymus alatus compactus or Nandina moonbay or firepower both give autumn colour and the second would give you autumn and winter colour and then revert to green.

In the perennials you may like to consider Anemone hupehensis (japanese windflower), brilliant if planted in a group - die down towards spring.  Aster novi-belgii,Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty', Sedum spectabile 'Brilliant', but many varieties to pick from including burgundy, and variegated leave.  The last is a succulent type plant and some of it's relatives don't like the cold but this variety grows big lush stalks to 18 inches tall then develops a 'broccoli' type flower which starts out green and then colours from white to pink to scarlet and light purple colours depending on the varieties than the whole plant autumn tones and dies down to buds in winter.  this plant is used extensively in gardens in England and is easy to grow semi-shade to full sun if you have good drainage.  People always like them in my garden and you just break of stalks and give them to people and they propagate new plants themselves.

Overwinter the plant is at ground level and just looks like small buds you can throw abit of mulch over them if you are worried about the cold but very cold tolerant.

Perhaps you could look at the plant finder on the Better Homes and Gardens, or BBC Gardening sites.  You just put in the aspect, Zone, what you want and when you want it to flower and its very helpful.  Good hunting,

Answer 2

cannas. they are so tropical looking. they bloom all summer and they wont stop blooming till frost. they look best in groups and their flowers are only half the show. also the leaves come in many colors from black, to green to multicolored and more.

my favorite cannas are...

tropicanna

begal tiger

ermine white

canna robert kemp

tropicanna black

banana canna

once frost hits these plants leaves will brown or become gray. once this happens cut the stalk back to the ground and then dig up the bulb and put it in a unheated garge or somewhere with temps below 50 and above 28 till spring.

cannas are hardy to zone 7 and with lots and lots mulching can survivie zone 6b in the ground, but the east coast is too wet and the bulb will rot or freeze in the winter.

a great idea is to plant tropicanna, tropicanna black, and bengal tiger all together so it looks exotic

Answer 3

You will need more sun to have a really 'wow' perennial garden.  If you have the canopy of the tree opened up for more light, you can try Perovskia which will start in July and persist in August.  Sedum 'Autumn Joy' will begin in August.  If you have planted perennial Salvia or Nepeta and cut it back after it's 1st flowering, it will go again in August.  Do some research for a late blooming Hemerocallis (or a re-bloomer).

In shady spots, plant Trycirtis.

Answer 4

The only plant that I know personally is the fall chrysanthemum.

I don't know if this will help or not a list of plants by the month.

Research some of these on the list, its a start.

http://www.gardenserenity.com/perenniali...

Answer 5

I also live in zone 6, new england. You could plant bee balm, butterflies love that, they have a shorter variety now, only 2' feet high, you can plant cone flower, that will start in july and go through to fall, lots of color choices, sedum is a nice waxy plant with red or pink flowers, veronica is a low growing plant,comes in purple or pink. Also think of planting some annual plants, that will reseed, I have marigold, cosmos and moring glory( I let that grow as my ground cover around my hydrangea) that comes back every year if you mulch were you plant. And like the other person said mums are great for the fall, but make sure you get the aster mums for our area.