As the temperature continues to soar, gardens tend to droop and dry up. Planting late bloomers is one way to extend the color of your garden and keep it vibrant through late summer and fall in the Hudson Valley. Tom Francello, a commercial designer for Augustine Nursery in Kingston, shares his favorites.
Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)
Named for their beautiful golden yellow petals surrounding a dark “eye” in the center, these flowers attract butterflies and bees and bloom from June through October. The late bloomers work well in borders, for cutting, and can also be grown in containers. Plus, their bright and cheery hues pair perfectly with sunny summer days.
Related: 6 Summer Flowers That Give You the Most Bang for Your Buck
Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Hydrangeas come in a variety of colors and produce bountiful blooms year after year. They tolerate almost any soil, and they work as group plantings, shrub borders, and in containers. They prefer full sun in the morning with afternoon shade. “All of these are great because they’re deer resistant, they’re rebloomers whether they are a shrub or perennials, and they’re easy to maintain,” Francello says.
Coneflowers (Echinacea)
These daisy-like flowers with raised centers attract butterflies and songbirds into your garden. They tend to bloom in mid-summer and are drought-tolerant, so they can really take the heat in the Hudson Valley.
Sedum (Hylotelephium telephium ‘Autumn Joy’)
Known for their thick, succulent leaves, Sedum produce star-like flowers in the late summer months. They are virtually maintenance-free — except for some trimming if you want to keep a specific shape or keep them from spreading — and can be placed in almost any Hudson Valley garden. In other words, they’re ideal for planting in that empty patch of yard that looks like it could use a little color and greenery (you know the one).
