What flowers/shrubs can I plant that will give me color all summer? I live in Illinois.?

Question

I have an area that is about 24ft long and about 2 feet wide that gets full sun from 9am till noon each day. This space runs between my house and the sidewalk from the patio. I want to plant something that will be stunning in the summertime. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Aster, Phlox, Bee Balm, Coneflower, Salvia, Russian Sage, Yarrow, Lavender.   These are all perrenial flowers which will flower in the summer some of which can flower until the first frost if properly taken care of.   The problem with planting shrubs is that they have a short bloom period.  They will flower for a few weeks and that is the end of them.  When you plant those you have to mix them up so you have color all year.

Answer 2

Since you want stunning, I highly recommend Endless Summer Hydrangeas.  They appreciate morning sun, but shade in the afternoon.  I suggest that you under-plant with impatiens.  They will fill in quickly and bloom til frost.  

Endless Summers are the most magnificent shrub I have ever seen---and is aptly named.  Here is a web site with good care and feeding info:

http://endlesssummerblooms.com/

Answer 3

hydraneas are great.

if you dont mind diggin up bulbs after frost, dtoring them in a coll place, and putting them back in the same place in the sping, then a canna is perfect. they will bloom from now till frost and have grest colored leaves

Answer 4

I plant dahlias in late May, and they boom from July to October or until the heavy frost comes. Pick a few of your favorite colors and plant them 18 inches apart. Dinner plate sized flowers will impress any passer by. I like them because they are beautiful and don't need any care.  For less expensive alternative, Cosmos and daisy also last the whole Summer, sometimes even after the frost.