It's hard to believe that we are already approaching the end of July.  This is the time of year I think my garden is the prettiest.  As I pull up my driveway, I have a riot of color that makes me smile every time I see it.  Are you looking for some color for your own garden?  I often hear the question "How can I have color all summer long if I don't want to plant a lot of annuals?".  One way to achieve this is every two or three weeks plant one or two things, perennial or flowering shrub, that are in currently in bloom.  Remember that shrubs especially will often give late color with fading blooms or brightly colored leaves.  By the end of summer, you will have season-long color.  

     Here are some suggestions for color now.  Garden Phlox is tall and very colorful with shades from white or soft pink to bright purple.  They will spread and are long blooming.  Lavender of course has beautiful silvery foliage that is very fragrant along with blue to purple flowers. One of my favorites is Coreopsis which comes in every color from red to lemon yellow to deep yellow.  The deep yellow always makes me think of sunshine.  Daisies are simple in their beauty and come in shorter, more compact varieties as well as the taller ones.  For something different, try Butterfly Weed which is typically orange.  Not a common flower color, it will be an eye-catcher in the garden.  Bee Balm can be found in red, pink and purple,  There are now more compact varieties such as Pardon My Pink.  Bee Balm does spread and is a great plant for pollinators  Most people with any knowledge of flowers are familiar with Purple Coneflower, but there are now a whole variety of color choices including, green, yellow and orangey-red.  Let's not forget Dayliles which come in a whole variety of colors and are very low maintenance.

     If you are looking for shrubs, Roses give color throughout the summer if deadheaded.  Climbers, Grandifloras, Floribundas, Hybrid Teas and English Roses all have there own attributes.  I choose my roses by color and fragrance.   Althea or Rose of Sharon are just now starting to bloom.  These shrubs can get quite large and need some room to grow.  

Hydrangea are coming into bloom now and will carry their color well into August.  Confused by the many types of Hydrangea?   Check out this link by Proven Winners 

 Proven Winners Resource

 

For additional help with your plant problems visit bonide.com  or click on the link 

Bonide Resource