8 Flowers To Plant In August For Blooms Next Spring & Summer

Summer season has handed its peak, however the heady days of August are among the many most joyful spent within the backyard. Whereas some crops are winding down for the season, late-summer bloomers hold borders bursting with coloration, and all the things feels considerable and lively.

However when you are soaking within the delights of this 12 months’s backyard, begin planning for subsequent spring and summer time. There are some stunning flowers to plant in August, permitting you to get a head begin on the upcoming rising season.

You’ll be able to evolve your backyard in lots of different methods – from vegetable seeds to plant in August, to propagating crops from cuttings and harvesting seeds from spent flowerheads. Nonetheless, what could possibly be extra joyful than sowing flower seeds and nurturing the younger seedlings into superb blooms?

Earlier than planting, test your chosen flower is appropriate along with your USDA hardiness zone and soil kind. There may be all the time flexibility, as crops could be overwintered indoors, grown as annuals, or shielded from the excessive warmth of the solar. Soil could be amended in beds or custom-made in raised beds and containers. Nonetheless, gardening is all the time simpler if you observe the mantra of “proper plant, proper place”.

These flowers could be began from seed in August for flowers subsequent spring or summer time.

1. Poppies

Poppies are brimming with symbolism and have been used for medicinal and culinary functions for hundreds of years. Flowering for an extended interval of summer time, these delicate beauties add a daring pop of coloration to beds in iconic crimson, or a softer contact in shades of white, pink, purple, orange, or yellow.

There are a number of forms of poppies you possibly can develop, which span USDA zones 2-10. The frequent poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) is an easy-to-grow annual that is available in a wide range of colours, together with crimson, white, yellow, pink, salmon, and lilac; California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are prolific self-seeders that are available in good shades of orange, crimson, and yellow; the attractive Icelandic poppy (Papaver nudicaule) is available in delicate pastel tones and makes a superb reduce flower; oriental poppies (Papaver orientale) are bigger, showier perennials that are available in a variety of colours, usually that includes a black blotch on the middle, although they battle in excessive warmth.

Sow poppy seeds in a sunny spot in poor to common well-draining soil, in late summer time to fall, or in spring. They hate to be transplanted, so sow them immediately the place you need them to flower.

Annual poppies require minimal care and watering, whereas perennial varieties might have staking and a bit of extra care to water persistently. Deadhead poppies to maintain crops flowering.

2. Coneflower

Beloved of pollinators, the native purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) makes a placing function within the backyard with its tall architectural flowerheads. There are additionally different forms of coneflower to plant in gardens, in nearly each shade of the rainbow, all that includes daisy-like blooms.

Coneflowers are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant. They thrive in low-fertile, well-draining soil in a sunny spot.

Many growers consider stratification (chilling) of the seeds for a number of weeks produces extra considerable flowering.

In late summer time, when blooms seem drained, in the reduction of the plant by a 3rd. This can usually generate a brand new crop of flowers that may endure till the primary frosts.

Relying on the variability, coneflowers could be grown in USDA zones 3-10.

3. Delphiniums

Reaching dizzy heights of as much as 6 toes (2m), delphiniums (Delphinium) tower over borders in the summertime backyard, and are prized for his or her uncommon true blue coloration – though they’re additionally out there in shades of pink, purple, crimson, yellow, and white.

Sow seeds the place you need flowers to seem in moist however well-draining soil, enriched with compost. They should be positioned in a sunny spot, however will profit from afternoon shade in hotter zones. Seedlings ought to seem in about three weeks.

Delphiniums don’t like dry soil, so water persistently – however don’t overdo it – and mulch to retain moisture. The crops are heavy feeders, so fertilize recurrently within the spring and summer time.

There are alternatives out there to develop in USDA zones 3-9.

4. Snapdragons

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are pleasant mid-sized flowers out there in a wide range of colours, from daring crimson, orange, and yellow, to delicate pink and white. The flowers are extra elegant than their title implies, however they’re extraordinarily resilient.

Often grown as annuals, snapdragons could be grown as short-lived perennials in USDA planting zones 6-11, although they’re beneficiant self-seeders.

In hotter zones, flowers will bloom in spring, earlier than dying out within the warmth of summer time. However in cooler zones, snapdragons can develop from spring till fall.

Snapdragons require full solar and well-draining soil. Pinch out the highest stem and lengthy facet shoots to encourage extra flowers and a extra pleasing type. Water recurrently in dry durations.

5. Calendula

Calendula – or pot marigolds – (Calendula officinalis) are easy-going flowers that thrive in poor to common soil in full solar to mild shade. The flowers are edible and have a tangy, peppery taste. Their perfume makes them a helpful companion plant for greens as they appeal to many predator bugs and function a “entice” plant to entice pests away from crops.

Calendula is hardy in USDA zones 9/11 – in cooler zones, it’s grown as an annual. Sow seeds immediately in late August to fall for spring blooms. Seedlings will seem inside a number of weeks and can overwinter earlier than bursting forth with golden flowers as soon as the bottom warms up in spring.

Crops require minimal care – simply occasional watering and deadheading. Pinch out stalks to keep away from crops rising spindly.

6. Pansies

One other edible flower, the pansy (Viola x wittrockiana) is a cheery sight in gardens when little else is in bloom. They are often grown in all USDA zones, though the height time of 12 months varies. For a lot of gardeners, an August sowing will reward you with a showy show of coloration come spring.

Pansies are low rising, so plant them in hanging baskets or containers on the patio, or use them to edge backyard beds.

Sow into seed trays for transplanting in early spring, and defend seedlings in extreme climate. Plant in well-draining soil enriched with natural matter and water in dry durations. Deadhead pansies recurrently for an extended season of flowers.

7. Lupines

Beautiful lupines (Lupinus spp.) are staples of cottage gardens and add a welcome pop of coloration to the again of flower beds. The flowers are magnets for pollinators and function host crops for the larvae of endangered butterfly species.

Sow lupine seeds in late summer time or fall, in a sunny spot in well-draining soil. Earlier than planting, soak the seeds in a single day in lukewarm water to melt the coating and encourage germination.

Lupines favor common soil, so don’t amend earlier than planting. Nonetheless, fertilizing crops in spring will encourage flowering. Deadhead spent blooms to maintain crops producing.

There are lupine choices for USDA zones 3-9.

8. Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) make an actual assertion in the summertime backyard and are good front-yard flowers so as to add curb enchantment. The towering beauties flower all summer time lengthy and appeal to bees and butterflies. They are often grown in USDA zones 3-9.

Often, hollyhock seed is sown in late spring to early summer time. Nonetheless, a late-summer or early-fall sowing nonetheless offers crops time to develop in time for a present of flowers the next summer time.

Sow seeds into small pots and overwinter in a greenhouse or chilly body. Plant of their last positions within the spring, selecting a full-sun spot in wealthy, fertile soil.

Hollyhocks are heavy feeders, so fertilize each 6-8 weeks after planting. Water recurrently in dry durations.