Late summer blooms

Sedum. Zinnia. Dahlia.

story and photos by Gillian Pegg

Some of the prettiest blooms wait until the very end of the season to appear. Enjoy the summer season all the way to September with a variety of florals that help gardeners transition from the abundance of summer to the cooler autumn months.

Sedum (perennial). Beautiful and bright, these plants are long lasting and hardy enough to survive through drought or overwatering. Sedums add a pop of rich colour to any garden bed and are a favourite for pollinators. Expect a show of bright butterflies and buzzing bees passing through your garden bed once you plant these low maintenance plants.

Zinnia (annual). These fast-growing blooms attract butterflies, and can be classified as single, semidouble, or double. Zinnias are low maintenance but have high impact. Their flowers are bright and bold and stick around into the fall.

Dahlia (annual; dig the tubers to overwinter). As vibrant as they are versatile, dahlias come in many colours, including sunset, deep purple, or white. These

Marigold. Phlox.

blooms are real statement pieces and liven up any garden bed with their intricate petal design. Planted in late spring, these bulbs will grow into a garden favourite, lasting long into autumn.

African marigold (annual). Like a collection of tiny sunshines in your garden, marigolds bring warmth and brightness late into the season. This plant is a great companion plant for your garden, as its roots deter pests and disease. Marigolds are often planted along the borders of herb or vegetable beds, for protection and also a little joy.

Phlox (depends on variety). Both tall and ground covering varieties are sweet, gentle hints of colour in any garden. Phlox are some of the most versatile plants out there, and their low maintenance care makes them an easy choice. Phlox are also long lasting. The full moon in April is named for phlox, as they are usually the first bloom to show in spring. But these hardy plants last long into the season and are often still around at the end of the summer.

Rose of Sharon (shrub). With their more tropical look, the rose of Sharon is a favourite among many gardeners. Despite their elegant look, this shrub is rather easy to maintain, and lasts through the summer and into autumn. Blooms can be red, purple, soft blue, or white. This one is not reliably hardy under Zone 5.

Hosta (perennial) The hosta’s tall, stalky blooms may come as a surprise to some, but these plants flower over summer and into fall. Adding height interest and even a delicate scent, hosta blooms add variety to cool shade gardens. From purple to white, hostas give a boost of colour to otherwise quiet garden beds. j