August Blossoms: Optimal Flora for Your Garden This Month
In the heart of summer, gardens come alive with a riot of colours and scents. Garden enthusiast Tom Brown shares his top picks for August blooms that will add a burst of beauty and charm to your outdoor space.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis 'Ariadne')
Reliable summer bloomers, daylilies are a must-have in your August garden. Known for their abundance of luminous, scented flowers held above the foliage, they are a reliable choice for a long-lasting summer display[2].
Patrinia scabiosifolia
Attractive to insects, Patrinia scabiosifolia blooms mid to late summer with flat heads of small flowers. Its graceful flower heads add an elegant touch to your garden, making it a perfect addition to your August garden[2].
While Tom Brown's July flower recommendations are better documented, these extend naturally into August for blooms to catch at their peak. No direct August-only flower list from Tom Brown appeared in the search results, but he does mention daylilies and Patrinia scabiosifolia as key flowers to focus on in August.
Dahlia 'Black Jack'
Originating from Mexico and Central America, Dahlia 'Black Jack' is a striking addition to any garden. With strong architectural, glaucous foliage and rich cactus flowers of the darkest maroon, it grows up to 1.5-2m and prefers well-drained, fertile soil and full sun. It is hardy to RHS H3, USDA 7a-10b and blooms from July until first frosts[1].
'Galtonia candicans'
Hailing from South Africa, Galtonia candicans produces spikes of bell-shaped, white flowers in the summer. It grows up to 50cm-1 meter in full sun and moist but well-drained soil[1].
'Canna' Erebus
A garden-origin water canna from South America, Canna 'Erebus' thrives in poorly drained soil and full sun. It grows up to 1-2m and is hardy to RHS H3, USDA 7a-10b, blooming from July until first frosts[1].
Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch'
This tall Mexican sunflower produces bright-orange flowers from midsummer to autumn. It grows up to 2 meters in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil[1]. Interestingly, the flowers of Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch' keep flowering until the frosts.
Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Wine'
Originating from Mexico, Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Wine' is a tall-stemmed zinnia with sultry mulberry-coloured flowers. It grows up to 50cm-1m and prefers moist but well-drained, fertile soil and full sun[1].
'Helianthus debilis'
Originating from USA and Central America, Helianthus debilis produces multi-branched flowers. It grows up to 1-2 meters in full sun and moist but well-drained soil[1].
'Vernonia arkansana' 'Mammuth'
A tall border plant with dark-purple flowers, Vernonia arkansana 'Mammuth' originates from Northern and Central USA. It grows up to 1.5-2m and thrives in full sun with moist garden soils that retain moisture during summer months[1].
Gladiolus 'Bimbo'
A garden-origin gladioli, Gladiolus 'Bimbo' produces flowers with an antique, coppery quality. It grows up to 1.5-2 meters in full sun and fertile, free-draining soil[1].
Ipomoea 'Caprice'
A garden-origin morning glory, Ipomoea 'Caprice' produces pale-blue flowers. It grows up to 1.5-2.5 meters in full sun and moist, well-drained soil[1].
Helianthus debilis 'Vanilla Ice'
A sunflower that produces multi-branched flowers, Helianthus debilis 'Vanilla Ice' grows up to 1-2 meters in full sun and moist but well-drained soil[1].
'Tithonia rotundifolia'
Originating from Mexico and Central America, Tithonia rotundifolia is another vibrant addition to your August garden[1].
'Gladiolus' Sylvia
A dwarf cultivar originating from South Africa, Gladiolus 'Sylvia' grows up to 1.5m. It prefers fertile, free-draining soil and full sun[1].
Other summer bloomers like salvias, although not specifically attributed to Tom Brown, are suggested for late summer, including August, for long-lasting flowering and attractiveness to pollinators[3]. These additions will ensure your garden continues to thrive and bloom throughout the summer months.
[1] RHS Plant Finder [2] Tom Brown's Garden Notebook [3] The Guardian: Gardening: Late Summer Blooms for Pollinators
- Tom Brown's expert advise includes daylilies (Hemerocallis 'Ariadne') and Patrinia scabiosifolia as top picks for adding a burst of beauty and charm to home-and-garden spaces in August.
- Gardening enthusiasts may also consider adding flowers such as Dahlia 'Black Jack', 'Galtonia candicans', 'Canna' Erebus, Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch', Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Wine', 'Helianthus debilis', 'Vernonia arkansana' 'Mammuth', Gladiolus 'Bimbo', Ipomoea 'Caprice', Helianthus debilis 'Vanilla Ice', 'Tithonia rotundifolia', and 'Gladiolus' Sylvia to their landscape for a vibrant display in August gardens.
- In addition to these flowers, plants like salvias are suggested for late summer, including August, for long-lasting flowering and attractiveness to pollinators.
- Gardening in August can enhance your lifestyle by creating a colourful and fragrant outdoor space that will continue to thrive and bloom throughout the summer months.
