This Easy-Care Summer Garden Plan Will Shine in a Sunny Spot

6.5K
522
255

The secret to nearly nonstop color in this easy-care summer garden plan is overlapping bloom times. The low-maintenance perennials in this design produce a palette of pink, purple, yellow, and white flowers from spring into fall, but they're at their brightest during the warmest months. When one variety finishes flowering, another takes its place, while plants with staying power, such as yarrow and daylily, help bridge any gaps. You'll even get a post-spring encore in late summer when the reblooming iris produces a second flush of pristine white flowers.

Plants for Creating the Easy-Care Summer Garden Plan

While the plants in this garden plan aren't picky about soil, site them in full sun for maximum blooming. Keep them well watered the first year after planting. After that, these perennials will do their thing for years to come without needing much from you other than a spring cleanup.

  • 3 Catmint (Nepeta × faassenii): Zones 4-9
  • 2 Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Johnny One Note'): Zones 3-10
  • 1 Bearded iris (Iris 'Immortality'): Zones 4-9
  • 2 Perennial geranium (Geranium Rozanne): Zones 5-9
  • 2 Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'Merlot'): Zones 3-9
  • 2 Blazing star (Liatris spicata 'Kobold'): Zones 4-9
  • 1 Yarrow (Achillea millefolium 'Summerwine'): Zones 3-10
  • 3 Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicfolia): Zones 4-9
  • 2 Perennial sunflower (Helianthus multiflorus 'Flore Pleno'): Zones 4-9
  • 2 Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora): Zones 4-9

If you aren't able to find the exact cultivars listed above, swap in others that have similar colors, shapes, and sizes to maintain the overall look of this garden plan.

Because some plants can become overly aggressive and spread out of control in certain conditions, always check which species are considered invasive in your area before planting.

Get the Free Easy-Care Summer Garden Plan

This garden design includes an illustrated version of the planted garden, a detailed layout diagram, a list of the plants as shown, and complete instructions for installing them.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How often should you water outdoor plants in summer?

    In hot weather, you may need to water plants daily, especially if they are newly planted. If the soil feels dry, then you need to water again. And make sure you're watering early in the morning before the worst heat of the day.

  • Can you overwater plants in the summer?

    You can overwater a plant in any season if the soil stays too soggy for too long. Always check if the soil feels dry before watering to avoid giving your plants too much water.

  • What are summer perennials?

    Summer perennials are flowers, trees, and shrubs that bloom in the summer. Some of them will last only a few days and others will last all the way into the fall, but they will all regrow every year so you don't have to replant them.

New

Orchids on display in a shop
41.7K
3.8K
1.5K
19 Colorful Window Box Ideas to Brighten Up Your Exterior
Container Gardens
Orchids on display in a shop
21.8K
2K
646
Unleash the Beauty of Hydrangeas: Propagation Methods for Your Garden
Container Gardens
Orchids on display in a shop
27.7K
2.5K
323
8 Begonia Houseplant Care Tips to Keep Your Plants Thriving
Houseplants
Orchids on display in a shop
2.5K
245
41
10 Best Sweet Potato Companion Plants for Larger Harvests
Edible Gardening
Orchids on display in a shop
6.8K
675
108
Indoor Lettuce Cultivation: A Comprehensive Guide
Edible Gardening
Orchids on display in a shop
1.3K
104
23
Unearth the Secret of Carrot Regrowth: A Step - by - Step Adventure
Edible Gardening
Orchids on display in a shop
27.3K
1.4K
313
Transform Your Front Yard on a Budget with Brick Garden Borders
Garden Design
Orchids on display in a shop
15.6K
1.4K
407
The Art of Winter Pruning for Your Yard
Caring for Your Yard
Orchids on display in a shop
30.7K
307
89
Liquid vs. Granular Fertilizer: Which One Is Better for Your Plants?
Caring for Your Yard
Orchids on display in a shop
20.5K
613
159
The Art of Thoughtful Leaf Blower Use in Your Yard
Caring for Your Yard
Orchids on display in a shop
48.3K
3.4K
1.2K
How to Protect Plants from Frost So They Survive Cold Snaps
Caring for Your Yard
Orchids on display in a shop
18.1K
725
101
Secrets to Successful Annual Flower Gardening from Seeds
Flowers
Orchids on display in a shop
23.3K
2.3K
349
Unveiling the Beauty of American Mountain Ash in Your Garden
Trees, Shrubs & Vines
Orchids on display in a shop
47K
2.8K
1.1K
How to Plant a Tree Properly
Trees, Shrubs & Vines
Orchids on display in a shop
8.5K
170
66
The Enchanting Allure of Tropical Hibiscus in Your Garden
Trees, Shrubs & Vines
Orchids on display in a shop
22K
1.3K
382
Unveiling the Secrets of Perfect Garden Edging
Landscaping
Orchids on display in a shop
23.3K
466
51
Navigating the World of Plant Shopping: Local Stores vs. Online Retailers
Landscaping
Orchids on display in a shop
20.4K
815
89
Unveiling the Secrets of Effortless Aquatic Plant Care in Your Landscape
Landscaping
Orchids on display in a shop
5.8K
233
46
This Drought-Tolerant Garden Plan Saves Water and Time
Garden Plans
Orchids on display in a shop
13.3K
1.3K
319
How to Make Compost Tea That Will Give Your Plants a Natural Boost
Gardening Routine