Yarrow (Hardy Summer Wine)
This care-free perennial (Achillea) features
lacy gray to green aromatic foliage topped by yellow, pink, peachy, rose or
white mounded flower heads. Many varieties are native and attract bees and
butterflies. Yarrow requires full sun and is very easy to grow, preferring poor
soil and no fertilizer. The plant is drought tolerant once established. USDA
Zones: 3 to 11
Also known as cranesbill, the perennial geranium grows 1
to 2 feet tall and wide, producing feathery, fernlike foliage and pert blossoms
that light up the garden in a variety of eye-catching colors, including blue,
purple, magenta, pink and white. Many varieties bloom from spring into fall.
These easy-to-grow plants thrive in regions with cool to mild summers and grow
best in full sun or light shade. Protect geranium from the sun's harsh rays in
hot summer areas, and keep the soil moist during the spring and summer. USDA
Zones: 4 to 9
This group of perennials (Primula) features hundreds of species of plants with brightly colored whorled blooms borne atop erect stems. Most primrose flower during the spring months, and some are fragrant. These easy-care plants grow in full sun to part shade and thrive in a wide variety of locations, from woodland settings to rock gardens. They do best in areas with cool, humid summers. In hot, dry climates, treat primrose as annuals and grow in part shade. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. USDA Zones: 4 to 8
Fountain Grass
This graceful perennial grass (Pennisetum setaceum) grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, decorating the garden with eye-catching plumes throughout the summer and into the fall.
Fountain grass tolerates a wide variety of conditions, from dry, gravely sites to moist locations. For best growth and coloration, plant in a sunny, well-drained location. Fountain grass dies back in the winter months, even in warm climates. In northern locations, grow the plant as an annual, or dig it up in the fall and overwinter indoors. USDA Zones: 8 to 10
Euphorbia
Euphorbias encompass a large group of annuals, biennials, perennials, and evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, with poinsettia, crown of thorns (E. splendens) and croton being three of the most well-known selections from this genus. Many euphorbias are easy-care plants, as long as they're planted in well-draining soil. Use caution when gardening with euphorbia, as the plant's foliage contains an irritating, sometimes poisonous sap. USDA Zones: 2 to 11
Pot Marigold
This easy-to-grow annual (Calendula officinalis) features cheery orange and bright yellow blooms that light up the garden from spring through summer in cold climates, and from late fall through spring where winters are mild. The narrow leaves are sticky and slightly aromatic. Plants grow 1 to 2 feet high and 1 to 1 1/2 feet wide, with dwarf strains reaching just 15 inches. Pot marigold grows in just about any soil type, as long as the drainage is fast. Water regularly and encourage blooming by fertilizing every six to eight weeks and deadheading.
Marigold
The robust common marigold (Tagetes erecta) is an annual that blooms from summer through fall with flowers in shades of gold, yellow, cream and white. The ferny foliage is highly aromatic, and the plant reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Rarely bothered by pests, this vigorous plant is often used in the garden to repel insect invaders.
Provide a full-sun location, good drainage and regular water. Avoid overhead watering, as the moisture causes the large flower-heads to droop and break.
Salvia
Perennial salvias are a huge family of plants. Most have aromatic, often edible foliage and produce colorful spikes in blue, pink, purple, red, yellow or white. Besides decorating the garden, perennial salvia attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and bees.
Salvia grows in just about any sunny site that has good drainage. The plant prefers regular water but holds up to moderate drought. USDA Zones 4 to 10
Sunflower
The cheery common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an easy-to-grow annual that makes a bold statement in the garden. A wide variety of sunflowers exists, from those that reach a couple of feet tall to mammoth varieties towering 10 to 15 feet. Most sunflowers have the signature bright yellow petals with the chocolate brown center filled with seeds, although there are a few varieties featuring petals in pale yellow and rust. Simply give sunflowers full sun and water regularly, and they'll reward you with months of colorful blooms.
Daylily
Daylilies (Hemerocallis) add reliable color to
the garden with their trumpet-shaped flowers that come in shades of orange,
pink, red, purple and yellow. Although a single flower lasts just one day, each
stalk produces several blooms. Choose from among early-, mid- and late-season
varieties so you can have blooms from early summer to fall.
For the best growth, daylilies require full sun to part shade, good drainage and regular water. Little to no fertilizer is required. Watch for deer and rodent damage. USDA Zones: 3 to 10
For the best growth, daylilies require full sun to part shade, good drainage and regular water. Little to no fertilizer is required. Watch for deer and rodent damage. USDA Zones: 3 to 10
Purple Coneflower
A
butterfly magnet, the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a
native herbaceous perennial featuring 2- to 4-foot-tall stems topped by flowers
containing bristly, cone-shaped, orange-brown centers with purple, lavender or
pink petals. Rose, yellow or white varieties are also available. Depending on
the variety and location, coneflowers often bloom for a month or more from late
spring to mid fall. The plant grows from early summer into the fall and dies to
the ground in winter, coming back the following spring. Tolerant of a wide
variety of soil types, purple coneflower thrives in moist to dry conditions.
Plant in full sun to partial shade. USDA Zones: 3 to 10
New Zealand Flax
The dramatic sword-like foliage of this easy-to-grow perennial (Phormium
tenax) adds a structural element to the garden. The plant's upright or
arching leaves reach 9 feet long and come in green, bronze or maroon.
New Zealand flax tolerates a wide variety of soil types and is drought tolerant, although the plant performs just as well with regular watering. When given winter root protection with mulch, flax is hardy to 20 degrees F. In colder climates, use this fast-growing plant as an annual in the spring and summer garden. Plant in a full-sun location with good drainage. Hardiness: USDA Zones: 7 to 10
New Zealand flax tolerates a wide variety of soil types and is drought tolerant, although the plant performs just as well with regular watering. When given winter root protection with mulch, flax is hardy to 20 degrees F. In colder climates, use this fast-growing plant as an annual in the spring and summer garden. Plant in a full-sun location with good drainage. Hardiness: USDA Zones: 7 to 10
Buddleia
The
butterfly bush (Buddleia) is a large deciduous or semi-deciduous shrub
with arching, often fragrant plumes in shades of purple, yellow, orange, pink,
red or white. A pest-resistant, vigorous grower that thrives in most
well-draining soils, the plant prefers even moisture but tolerates some drought.
Grow in full sun to part shade. Encourage bushy growth and more flowering by
pruning after bloom and in the early spring before the plant begins
growth.
This tough plant dies to the ground in USDA Zones 5 and 6, but it comes back the following spring. USDA Zones: 5 to 10
This tough plant dies to the ground in USDA Zones 5 and 6, but it comes back the following spring. USDA Zones: 5 to 10
Hellebore
Prized for their nodding bell-shaped flowers during
winter and early spring, this perennial also has ultra-clean, pest-free foliage
that's usually evergreen. Flowers come in a variety of colors, including cream,
lavender, green, pink and white. Hellebores grow 12 to 24 inches tall and up to
20 inches wide.
The plant is long-lived once established and reseeds. Hellebores do best in moist, well-drained soil, although the plant can tolerate some dry periods. USDA Zones: 4 to 9
The plant is long-lived once established and reseeds. Hellebores do best in moist, well-drained soil, although the plant can tolerate some dry periods. USDA Zones: 4 to 9
Yucca
A
huge family of evergreen trees, shrubs and perennials, yuccas feature rigid
sword-shaped leaves and white bell-shaped flowers. One famous yucca variety is
the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), which makes up the bulk of
vegetation at the California state park with the same name. Many young yuccas
such as Y. elephantipes are sold as easy-care houseplants. Yuccas grow
best in full sun in well-draining soil. They are drought-tolerant plants,
requiring little water once established. USDA Zones: 5 to 10
Sun coleus
Unlike its shade-loving cousins, sun-tolerant coleus
(Solenostemon hybrids) maintains its rich hues in full sun. The plant
reaches up to 2 feet tall and wide. Though a perennial, sun coleus is grown as
an annual in all but the warmest of regions. This fast-growing foliage plant
springs up readily from seed. Provide rich, well-draining soil, regular watering
and feed monthly with a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Pinch out flower spikes
promptly because their appearance causes coleus to become rangy. Shown here: The
frilly leaves of 'Killer Klown' are chartreuse and maroon in shade, yellow and
maroon in full sun.
Four o'clock
The
trumpet-shaped blooms of this shrubby perennial (Mirabilis jalapa)
perfume the night garden during the summer months. Four o'clocks thrive in just
about any soil type, quickly growing 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, and becoming
covered in blooms in shades of red, pink, white, yellow and bicolors. Grow the
tropical plant from seed as an annual each year or mulch and overwinter in USDA
Zones 7 through 9. In colder climates, lift tubers in fall and store indoors
till spring in dry peat moss. The plant blooms best in full sun but takes some
shade. USDA Zones: 9 to 11
(Credit to HGTV Outdoors http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/tough-as-nails-plants/pictures/index.html)
