Five flowers that will brighten your garden all summer
Come late July, certainly by August, I hit a garden slump. The gorgeous pastel blooms of spring are long gone, the hydrangeas are fading, and the annuals I planted so enthusiastically in April have succumbed to the heat of another South Carolina summer. I get antsy for something fresh to put on the table, and thankfully, there are options—all that’s required is a little planning ahead. Plant these five heat-loving cut flowers in early summer, and your future self will be thanking you all the way through fall.
Celosia (Cockscomb)
It’s a strange-looking flower with a strange name, but it’s gorgeous in a vase. Celosia comes in a variety of forms, from feathery spikes to coral-like blooms, and the colors range from deep burgundy to dusty rose—there’s something for every color palette. Get seeds in the ground sooner rather than later, as celosia can take a few months to mature.
Cosmos
A vase overflowing with these bouncy, delicate blooms will take your breath away, and late summer is when cosmos really hit their stride. Look for varieties that are marketed as cut flowers—the double-click series is quite stunning, but I also love single blooms like apricotta and rubenza. When the plant is 10 inches tall, pinch it back to its second set of leaves for a bushier plant with more flowers.
Basil
Yes, it’s an herb. But it’s also an excellent filler for bouquets, and it loves the heat. Basil is a fast, prolific grower, and the more you cut, the more it comes back. A variety called Mrs. Burns’ Lemon will give your bouquets a lovely citrus fragrance, but cinnamon basil, with its deep-purple flowers, pairs well with rich, earthy colors.
Sunflower
As an August baby, sunflowers hold a special place in my book. And while grocery-store bundles are beautiful, sunflowers come in a surprising array of colors and forms. They’re also quick growers—here in the Upstate you can plant sunflower seeds all the way up to mid-August. Branching types will give you plenty of flowers but won’t be as long as single stems. I recommend sowing every two weeks for a continuous harvest.
Zinnia
They’re a Southern staple, and for good reason. Zinnias are easy to grow and there’s a slew of colors and shapes. Even if you already planted these in spring, sow a second round in early summer. The first batch often falls to powdery mildew, and you’ll be glad you have a fresh round to cut from. For big blooms and bold color, go for the Benary’s giants.
Honorable Mentions
Marigolds, strawflowers, and ornamental grasses are heat-hardy plants that also make great additions to any bouquet.
Tips for Flowers
- Plant seeds in a raised bed or an open space in a border.
- Water regularly, especially when plants are small.
- Harvest flowers in the cool of the morning or in the evening.
- For wilty stems, a fresh cut and a dip in boiling water works wonders.
Purchase seeds (or transplants, if they’re available) at your local garden nursery, or online. Johnnys.com, selectseeds.com, and thegardenersworkshop.com are excellent resources.
