The Colour of Summer, Sept. 2006

Hypericum Hidcote

The best time of the year for planting trees and shrubs usually occurs between late autumn and spring. Moisture is more available in autumn, plus the soil’s temperature is suitable for planting. In this month of July, special attention should be made in relation to the plants that look good this time of year. Summer is when most of us can appreciate the garden. The kids are off school and weather permitting the barbeques are smoking. What are the best plants for July colour?

Trees are not really an option for summer colour as most have flowered in spring. These trees are now busy producing seed for the autumn. The first shrub that is a must for all gardens is Hypericum Hidcote. This plant bears a striking abundance of yellow flowers from June to August. It will grow practically anywhere, although it will require full sun for best results. A height of 4 to 5 feet is the eventual height and it is a superb plant for ground cover or block planting.

Potentillas are another great summer flowering plant. The only downside to this shrub is that it can look miserable when purchasing in late autumn or Early Spring. There are a large variety of colours available from pinks, whites, reds and rusts. My favourite is Potentilla ‘red ace’; this shrub grows to 3 feet and bears red to orange flowers from July till August. Block planting any of these shrubs can produce a terrific display. Plant; say three or five or fifteen (depending on your area) of the same variety at a distance apart of their eventual height and you will create a very strong block of colour.

Lavandula ‘munstead’ is a must for the summer. From June to August, it will produce a beautiful shade of blue. Growing to a height of 2 feet, it is only suitable for the front of a border. Ideally it should be grown on a raised bed in full sun, as it does not like sitting in wet conditions throughout the winter. My favourite plant of the summer so far is Phygelius. This plant is now widely available in garden centres and is a must for any garden. It is similar to Fuchsia and indeed its common name is called Cape Fuchsia. Colours range from pinks, reds, peaches and lemons. It will grow to 4 to 5 feet left unchecked, but it is totally hardy. By far one of the best summer flowering plants you can get.

Finally, I would recommend that you improve your knowledge of herbaceous plants. These are by far the best summer flowering plants available. They include Geraniums, Penstemon, Lychnis, Alchemilla etc. and they will improve the quality of colour in your garden for next summer.

Robert Reilly dip. hort.

This article was first published in News and Views Sept. 2006