Discover 5 Easy-to-Maintain Perennials Blooming Through Summer for a Seamless Enhancement of Your Garden
Top 5 Long-Blooming Ground Cover Plants for Summer Gardens
Summer gardens can be a vibrant and colourful oasis with the right choice of plants. Here are five long-blooming ground cover plants that will add continuous or extended blooming throughout the summer season, while providing a burst of colour and texture to your garden beds and borders.
- Cuphea (Mexican Heather)
Evergreen and small, Cuphea, also known as Mexican heather, is a perennial ground cover that blooms all summer. It's a popular choice for zones 9-11, particularly in warm climates, and attracts pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects. You can find Cuphea in a vibrant purple variety at major retailers like Home Depot.
- Dianthus (Pinks)
Dianthus, or Pinks, are low-growing perennials that bloom in shades of pink, white, red, or deep burgundy. They are short-lived perennials or biennials, preferring full sun to partial sun. A three-pack of pink Dianthus is available at Home Depot.
- Geum
Geum is a perennial with colourful flowers that blooms from summer to early fall. It prefers well-drained soil and can thrive in full sun to partial shade. While it is slightly taller compared to the other plants on this list, it can still be considered a low-growing perennial. Geum coccineum Borisii seeds can be found on Amazon, and these plants thrive best in cooler summer temperatures.
- Ice Plant (Delosperma)
Ice Plant, known for its succulent leaves and daisy-like blooms, is a heat and drought-tolerant ground cover that blooms in summer. It's an excellent choice for hot summer gardens, particularly for rock gardens and other types of water-wise landscapes. Ice plants are commonly found at garden centers and online nurseries, including Home Depot or Burpee.
- Campanula Bellflower
Campanula Bellflower is a low mounding plant with bell-shaped flowers. It blooms in summer to fall and is resistant to deer and rabbits. It's suitable for growing zones 3-8 and tolerates full sun to partial shade. You can find Campanula Bellflower at garden centers and some online plant retailers.
These plants are not usually invasive and tend to be non-aggressive ground covers suited to a range of garden types. For best results, select plants suited to your USDA zone and consider soil, sun exposure, and moisture conditions. If you require more tailored recommendations for your specific region or a particular garden condition like shade or drought tolerance, feel free to ask!
Ground cover and low-growing flowers offer numerous benefits in landscapes, including suppressing weeds, maintaining soil moisture, and helping with erosion control. They provide a beautiful addition to your summer garden, ensuring a continuous display of colour and life throughout the season.
When designing your summer garden, consider planting low-growing perennials such as the evergreen and vibrant 'Cuphea', which blooms all season and attracts pollinators. Additionally, incorporating home-and-garden essentials like 'Dianthus' or 'Pinks' will offer a range of pink, white, red, or burgundy blooms that thrive in full to partial sun. These choices add not only colour and texture to your garden but also contribute to a maintenance-friendly lifestyle by suppressing weeds and helping with erosion control.
