“April Showers Brings May Flowers”- and this year was NO different! The heat of Summer already seems to be upon us and we are only in the first week of May. Don’t you just love the Georgia Spring – or lack of it!
None the less, if you didn’t manage to get your seasonal flowers in the ground or pots planted for the back patio, do not fear! Check out the list below for some ideas of plants, shrubs and flowers for both the shady spots and sun traps in your yard.
Ideal Summer Varieties for those Shady Spots
Wax Begonias
These actually work well in both but you need to make sure you identify the shady vs sun preference plants. How? Check the leaves – green leaves tell you this would be ideal for shade, whereas bronze leaves are more suited to sunny areas.
Wax Begonia
Brugmansia (Angel Trumpet)
This is a fast growing shade to part-shade with large trumpet shaped blooms.
TOP TIP: Be sure to plant in a heavy pot to prevent them from tipping!
Brugmansia – White Angels Trumpets
Azaleas
These are your most common GA shrub that give gorgeous blooms in Spring and Autumn. They naturally favor the shaded areas of your yard or patio. If you have space only for pots, then the ‘Encore’ variety will be your best bet. They don’t grow as large as the classic ‘Formosa’ variety, reaching 3-5 ft height and width.
TOP TIP: These are heavy feeders and prefer acidic soil. Fertlizing should be done after they finish a bloom cycle.
Encore Azalea – Autumn Starburst
Sun Trap Loving Varieties
Do you start and end your day on a full sun patio or back deck? Wondering what you could possibly plant that would last our long hot Summers? These will not only withstand the heat but actually thrive – the hotter the better!
Citrus Topiones
The most common being the ‘Meyer’ lemon tree, which is a fantastic option for potting as well as planting. They will produce a wonderfully sweet smell in the Summer and fruit in the Winter.
TOP TIP: Potted varieties are more susceptible to frost during the Winter. It’s best practice to bring them inside to a sunny room, but remember to keep them well watered.
Meyer Lemon Tree
Bush Tomato Plants
Also known as determinants, these are compact plants and well suited to being potted and placed in areas that receive a minimum of 6 hours direct sunlight.
TOP TIP: Use rich organic soil and plant in large pots, as smaller pots will lead to them drying out quicker.
Vitex (Chaste Tree)
These will provide some added dimension and a little shade on large expansive patios. Bonus factor, they are disease & bug resistant, so no worries there! They’re sun-loving and produce either white or bluish-lavender blooms. You’ll be sure to attract the pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, with this one!
Vitex (Chaste Tree)
Gardenias
A popular choice in Georgia landscapes. They are hardy throughout the state, with the ‘White Gem’ variety more suitable for a container.
TOP TIP: They are heavy feeders! Feed them regularly with slow-release fertilizer for acid loving plants. Spray liquid iron if the leaves begin to turn yellow.
White Gardenia
Flowering Annuals
When picking flowering plants for the Summer months, you want to do your research first. Do you have areas that are completely shaded vs a sun trap all day?
After you’ve made this distinction – it’s time to pick out the plants!
Here are our top 5 to add a little wow factor back into your landscaping…
1.Pentas Lanceolata (Egyptian Star Flower)
#1 Most popular heat resistant annual – Red Pentas
Native to Yemen and East Africa (big hint as to why this is our sun loving annual!). It loves Summer, has gorgeous big blooms that will attract hummingbirds and butterflies and works best in containers or flowerbeds.
TOP TIP: It needs heat to bloom, so don’t be discouraged when you pick it up from the nursery if it’s just sitting there with beautiful green foliage and not a flower bud in sight!
Pink Pentas
2. Lantana Camara
‘Rose Glow’ Lantana
Dozens of varieties range from 18” to 4ft tall There’s a Lantana suitable for every Sunny patch of your yard – from pots on the patio to butterfly garden flower beds. Again, this is another heat inducing flowering plant – so the hotter is gets the more blooms will be produced!
3. Mandevilla Vine
Red Mandevilla Vine
Looking for something with a little more “wow factor”? This is just the ticket – place it down by your mailbox for the ultimate curb appeal.
TOP TIP: Does best in large pots, with quality nutrient rich soil, as it’s a heavy feeder – but does not like “wet feet”!
Pink Mandevilla Vine
4. Purslane
Purslanes in a variety of colors
This edible beauty is packed with omega 3 and fatty acids, making it perfect for salads or stir fries! If you tend to forget to water plants, this is an absolute must have. It blooms as the heat of the Summer gets more intense, often used in well-drained flower beds or as spillers in planters and window boxes.
TOP TIP: Water only when the soil completely dries out!
5. Summer Snapdragon
Snapdragon color options
Again, another annual that LOVES the heat and will bloom all summer long without the need for deadheading. This is versatile and used in planters or beds, for a no hassle drought-tolerant infusion of color all season long!
TOP TIP: Plant after the last of the Spring frost, it’s sensitive to cold damage.
And there you have it – a pretty comprehensive list to help you get started with your patio planters and seasonal flower beds.