WikWorks, Inc: Favorite Summer Flowering Perennials

In almost every planting design I put together, I try to incorporate my top five summer flowering perennials. Four of the five thrive in full sun to part shade conditions, leaving the astilbe to control the shade.

Enjoy!

Aquilegia caerulea

Rocky Mountain Columbine

Columbines thrive in full sun or partial shade with rich, average to light, evenly moist, well-drained soil. Plants in full sun bloom more and are more compact than those grown in shade, but in hot climates dappled shade or afternoon shade provides essential heat protection. The only down fall to this beautiful perennial is that they are not long lived. 2-4 years is about average, although they can last much longer in good conditions.

Astilbe hybrid

Hybrid Astilbe

Astilbe prefer rich, constantly moist, well-drained soil. Partial shade is best. A site with sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon is ideal. Astilbes should be fertilized annually in spring by top-dressing with compost or a balanced organic fertilizer.

Campanula persicifolia

Peach-leaved Bellflower

Bellflowers generally thrive in full sun to partial shade and average to rich soil that is moist but well drained. Most bellflowers do not tolerate heat well and grow best in areas where temperatures routinely dip below 70 degrees at night in summer. This genus contains over 300 species with flowers shades ranging from blue, lavender, purple and white. To extend the bloom period, deadhead and water deeply during dry spells.

Iris Sibirica

Siberian Iris

Named for the Greek goddess Iris who rode to earth on a rainbow, Iris is a vast genus containing roughly 300 species along with thousands of cultivars. The Siberian Iris grow well in full sun to light shade and evenly moist, well drained or constantly wet soil. They also grow with up to 2 inches of standing water. When the plants become over crowded, divide them in early spring or early fall.

Platycodon grandiflorus

Balloon Flower

The Balloon flower is a dependable, clump forming perennial with inflated flower buds that split open into broad, shallow, bell-shaped flowers. They love full sun or light shade and average to rich well-drained soil. By deadheading spent blooms, the plant will continue to bloom all summer long.