These gorgeous groupings bring color to the dog days of summer
roughshod heat , tropical humidity , torrential downpours , or lead dry spells — welcome to late summertime in the Mid - Atlantic region ! We have plenty of excuse for our gardens looking hackneyed and tattered now , but it does n’t have to be that way . Building combination around tough , adaptable plants mean that our gardens can tolerate whatever the atmospheric condition throws at us and still see good going into the ulterior part of the growing season .
If smart and bluff are your favorite garden themes , a vibrant royal - and - yellowed combo is a wonderful way of life to go . Ironweeds ( Vernoniaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–10 ) are one of the best perennials I fuck for pure purpleness , and they are at their beneficial this time of year . New York ironweed ( Vernonia noveboracensis , Zones 5–9 ) , in the 4- to 6 - foot - tall range , pairs beautifully with a variety of late - summertime yellows of a similar stature . Try it with smooth heliopsis ( Heliopsis helianthoides , Zones 3–9 ) or burn - leaved coneflower ( Rudbeckia laciniata , Zones 3–9)—two other Mid - Atlantic natives — for a pairing that ’s beautiful to look at , a boon for late - summertime pollinator , and a source of seminal fluid for birds in fall .
New York ironweed ’s deep over-embellished bloom also see terrific with the clear yellow blooms of ‘ Lemon Queen ’ perennial helianthus ( Helianthus‘Lemon Queen , ’ Zones 4–9 ) , the quilled - petaled daisies of ‘ Henry Eilers ’ angelical coneflower ( Rudbeckia subtomentosa‘Henry Eilers ’ , Zones 4–7 ) , the back breaker - jaundiced umbels of golden valerian ( Patrinia scabiosifolia , zone 5–8 ) , and the gold yellow sprays of ‘ firework ’ grating goldenrod ( Solidago rugosa‘Fireworks ’ , Zones 5–9 ) .
If you choose to keep your colour combos on the softer side , how about some pink and livid mating ? Late summer is premier clip for Joe Pye weeds ( Eutrochiumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) , and their tall stems make them a perfect friction match for the bobbing white “ catkins ” of blank Nipponese burnet ( Sanguisorba tenuifoliavar.alba , zona 5–8 ) . Another wondrous late - summertime combining is pink and white-hot ‘ Black Beauty ’ lily ( Lilium‘Black dish ’ , Zones 3–8 ) against gargantuan fleeceflower ( Persicaria polymorpha , Zones 4–9 ) , which tend to have a pinkish touch to its white plumes as its anthesis season winds down .
Plant partnership that have a tropical vibe are also correct at home in our sultry Mid - Atlantic summers . Cannas ( Cannaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–11 ) are one of my favorite keystones for August and September combinations , as they contribute such bluff form and spectacular colors in both heyday and foliation . ‘ Australia ’ canna ( Canna ×generalis‘Australia ’ , Zones 8–11 ) , with much opprobrious leaves and smart as a whip ruby-red bloom , is one of the unspoilt cultivar in my opinion , but my top pick has to be Tropicanna ® canna ( Canna indica‘Phasion ’ , Zones 7–11 ) . Its immature leafage are usually a copious mix of coral and orangish hue ; as they maturate , they incline to be more groovy - orangeness between the greenish denude .
Even before its brilliant orangish flowers look , Tropicanna ® makes a beautiful background for lighter - leave partner , such as bright yellow ‘ Golden Delicious ’ ananas sage ( Salvia elegans‘Golden Delicious ’ , Zones 8–11 ) or Giant Exhibition ™ Limelight flame nettle ( Plectranthus scutellarioides‘Limelight ’ , Zones 10–11 ) . Let a dark - leave behind , downhearted - growing laggard — such as ‘ Purple Lady ’ bloodleaf ( genus Iresine herbstii‘Purple Lady ’ , annual ) , purple heart ( Tradescantia pallida , Zones 8–11 ) , or a violet - leaved sweet white potato vine ( Ipomoea batatas , Zone 11)—pool around the cornerstone , and you have a boundary line or large - container jazz band that will sail through the blackguard days and still wait profuse when fall in conclusion take us cool weather condition once again .
— Nancy J. Ondra is the author of over fifteen book , includingGrasses , The Perennial Care Manual , andThe Perennial Matchmaker .
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Gilmour 811673 - 1001 Sprinkler
Fine Gardening receives a commission for particular purchased through links on this internet site , include Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs .
Johnny ’s Selected Seeds Connecta ® Cultivation Kit
RAINPOINT Sprinkler Timer with Brass Swivel
Get our up-to-the-minute tips , how - to clause , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .
Signing you up …
Related Articles
Late Summer in Patsy’s Garden
Late Summer in Sharon’s Garden
Late Summer in Kevin’s Garden
Design for a Late-Summer Show
Join Fine Gardening for a free engaging live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical manager …
When I recognize a special sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in fuss . With a delightful colour convention …
When we only prioritize plants we desire over plants our landscape pauperism , each season is filled with a never - cease listing of task : pruning , pinching , tearing , treating , remediate , and fertilizing , with …
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be careful when you participate the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re potential to trip on something , but because you might be dive - flush it by a pair …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access members get more
Sign up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the eternal rest of the appendage - only content program library .
set about Free Trial
Get terminated site access to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the mark powder store .
Start your devoid test
Already a member?access
New York ironweed with ‘Henry Eilers’ sweet coneflower (left); golden valerian (right).Photo: Nancy J. Ondra
Joe Pye weed with white Japanese burnet (left); ‘Black Beauty’ lily with giant fleeceflower (right).Photo: Nancy J. Ondra
Tropicanna®canna with ‘Limelight’ coleus and ‘Purple Lady’ bloodleaf (left); ‘Bellingrath Pink’ coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides‘Bellingrath Pink’, Zones 10–11) and ‘Bull’s Blood’ beet (right).Photo: Nancy J. Ondra
