Annual All-Stars: Instant Color That Keeps Going

Annuals are the true workhorses of a summer garden. Since their entire life cycle happens in one season, they bloom non-stop to make the most of it!

• Supertunias® (Proven Winners) – These petunias are power bloomers! With no need to deadhead and a spreading, cascading habit, they’re perfect for hanging baskets and containers. Try Vista Bubblegum, Mini Vista Indigo, or Royal Velvet.

• Lantana – Heat- and drought-tolerant, Lantana bursts with tiny, bright blooms that pollinators love. A great choice for full sun and dry spots.

• Zinnias – These cheerful annuals are butterfly magnets and bloom continuously until frost. Try planting several varieties for a rainbow effect.

• Calibrachoa (Million Bells) – Like mini petunias, calibrachoa offer nonstop color with very little effort. Choose from a wide variety of bright shades and trailing forms.

🌿 Perennial Performers: Come Back Stronger Every Year

While many perennials have a peak bloom time, a few are known for reblooming or stretching their bloom period through much of the season.

• Coreopsis (‘Moonbeam’ or ‘Zagreb’) – These sunny yellow blooms thrive in dry soils and bloom for weeks, especially when deadheaded.

• Catmint (Nepeta) – Aromatic, soft blue flowers bloom early and keep going if trimmed back. A favorite of bees and butterflies!

• Echinacea (Coneflower) – Modern varieties like ‘PowWow Wild Berry’ and ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ offer vibrant colors and long bloom times with minimal care.

• Daylilies (Hemerocallis) – While the name suggests one-day blooms, many varieties rebloom throughout the summer. Look for extended bloom or reblooming types like ‘Stella de Oro’ and ‘Happy Returns’.

🌺 Flowering Shrubs That Steal the Show

Want long-lasting color with structure and height? Flowering shrubs add dimension to your landscape and many are reliable bloomers all summer long.

• Hydrangea paniculata (‘Limelight’, ‘Bobo’, ‘Little Lime’) – These panicle hydrangeas bloom from midsummer to fall with dramatic cone-shaped flowers that change color over the season.

• Knock Out® Roses – With disease resistance and continuous blooms, these shrub roses are tough, beautiful, and made for summer color.

• Bluebeard (Caryopteris) – This underused gem blooms in late summer with electric blue flowers that attract pollinators and brighten borders.

• Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) – True to its name, this shrub draws butterflies with fragrant, spiked blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white. Newer compact varieties fit even small gardens.

🌞 Summer Planting Tips from Crystal Lake

• Feed for more flowers. Regular applications of organic fertilizers like Espoma’s Flower-tone keep plants blooming longer.

• Water wisely. Early morning deep watering is best. Try Coast of Maine mulch to help conserve moisture and reduce weeds.

• Deadhead often. Removing spent flowers encourages plants to produce more blooms.

• Mix it up. Pair annuals with perennials and flowering shrubs for color at every height and texture.

Stop by Crystal Lake Garden Shop in Plymouth or Carver to find your summer stars! We grow all our annuals and premium plants right here, so you can trust they’re healthy, locally grown, and ready to thrive in your yard. Need help planning your summer garden? Our knowledgeable team is always here to help.

Let your garden shine bright all season long—only at Crystal Lake.