Summer Flowers for Zone 8

198 plants that bloom Jun through Aug in USDA hardiness zone 8.

Summer is peak bloom season. Long days and warm soil fuel the biggest, boldest flowers. This is when your garden can be at its most colorful.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Z3Z4Z5Z6Z7Z8Z9Z10Z11
Colors
93
88
64
61
47
43
Types109 Perennials37 Shrubs20 Annuals9 Grasss
Jun
149 plants
Jul
144 plants
Aug
130 plants
Allium
Allium2-4'
Bulb · May-Jun · Z3-10

Dramatic globe-shaped heads on tall stems. Architectural and deer-proof.

American Beautyberry
American Beautyberry4-6'
Shrub · Jun-Jul · Z5-8

Inconspicuous flowers give way to stunning clusters of magenta-purple berries in fall. The berries are the show.

American Elderberry
American Elderberry5-12'
Shrub · Jun-Jul · Z3-9

Large flat clusters of creamy flowers in early summer give way to dark berries for jams and wildlife.

Angelina Sedum
Angelina Sedum4-8"
Perennial · Jun-Jul · Z3-9

Chartreuse needle-like foliage turns golden orange in fall. Tiny yellow flowers are a bonus.

Annabelle Hydrangea
Annabelle Hydrangea3-5'
Shrub · Jun-Aug · Z3-9

Enormous snowball blooms on a native species. Blooms on new wood, so prune hard in spring.

Astilbe
Astilbe2-3'
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z3-8

Feathery plumes that light up shady, moist spots like nothing else can.

Bee Balm
Bee Balm2-4'
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z3-10

Shaggy, crown-shaped flowers that hummingbirds fight over.

Beverly Sills Iris
Beverly Sills Iris2-3'
Perennial · May-Jun · Z3-9

Coral-pink blooms with a tangerine beard. Named for the opera star and just as elegant.

Blanket Flower
Blanket Flower12-24"
Perennial · Jun-Oct · Z3-10

Fiery bicolor pinwheels that bloom nonstop in the worst heat and soil.

Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart2-3'
Perennial · Apr-Jun · Z3-8

Arching sprays of heart-shaped flowers for shady woodland gardens.

Bloom-a-Thon Azalea
Bloom-a-Thon Azalea3-4'
Shrub · Apr-Sep · Z5-9

Repeat-blooming azalea with waves of color spring through fall. Evergreen in mild climates.

Blue False Indigo
Blue False Indigo3-4'
Perennial · May-Jun · Z3-10

Lupine-like spikes on a native that lives forever. Gets better with age.

Blue Fescue
Blue Fescue8-12"
Grass · Jun-Jul · Z3-8

Steel-blue tufted mound. Perfect edging or rock garden accent.

Blue Flax
Blue Flax12-24"
Perennial · May-Jul · Z4-9

Delicate sky-blue flowers open each morning on airy stems over fine foliage.

Blue Oat Grass
Blue Oat Grass18-30"
Grass · Jun-Jul · Z4-9

Compact clumps of steel-blue blades provide year-round color and texture.

Borage
Borage2-3'
Annual · Jun-Sep · Z2-11

Star-shaped electric blue flowers that bees go absolutely wild for. Self-sows freely.

Bottlebrush Buckeye
Bottlebrush Buckeye8-12'
Shrub · Jun-Jul · Z4-8

Massive suckering shrub with foot-long white flower candles. Showpiece for large shade gardens.

Bowl of Beauty Peony
Bowl of Beauty Peony28-34"
Perennial · May-Jun · Z3-8

Hot pink outer petals cup a creamy center of narrow petaloids. Dramatic and unmistakable.

Bridal Veil Astilbe
Bridal Veil Astilbe20-28"
Perennial · Jun-Jul · Z3-8

Graceful cascading white plumes on dark stems. Luminous in a shady corner.

Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Bush5-10'
Shrub · Jun-Oct · Z5-10

Long, arching flower wands that butterflies absolutely lose their minds over.

California Poppy
California Poppy6-18"
Annual · Mar-Sep · Z5-10

Golden cups that carpet hillsides across the state. Closes at night and on cloudy days.

Camassia
Camassia2-3'
Bulb · Apr-Jun · Z3-8

Tall spikes of starry flowers rise above strappy foliage in late spring.

Caradonna Salvia
Caradonna Salvia18-30"
Perennial · May-Aug · Z3-9

Dark purple stems set this apart from every other salvia. Vertical, architectural, electric.

Cat's Meow Catmint
Cat's Meow Catmint15-20"
Perennial · May-Sep · Z3-9

Tidy, dome-shaped habit that never flops open. Stays compact without shearing.

Catmint
Catmint12-24"
Perennial · May-Sep · Z3-10

Billowy lavender-blue haze that blooms all season if you shear it back.

Celosia
Celosia1-3'
Annual · Jun-Oct · Z2-11

Flame-shaped or crested flowers in electric colors that dry beautifully. Heat lovers that thrive in summer.

Century Plant
Century Plant2-4'
Perennial · Jun-Jul · Z8-11

Grows for decades, then sends up a massive flower stalk up to 20 feet tall before dying. Worth the wait.

Chamomile
Chamomile12-24"
Annual · May-Aug · Z3-9

Tiny daisy flowers with apple-scented foliage. Brew into tea or let it naturalize between pavers.

Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower
Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower24-30"
Perennial · Jun-Sep · Z4-10

A rainbow mix of coneflower colors from a single seed strain. Every plant is a surprise.

Chicago Apache Daylily
Chicago Apache Daylily24-30"
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z3-9

Scarlet red with a velvety texture. One of the best true red daylilies available.

Chives
Chives12-18"
Perennial · May-Jun · Z3-9

Cheerful purple pom-pom flowers on a kitchen staple. Edible blooms make any salad Instagram-worthy.

Clematis
Clematis6-20'
Vine · May-Sep · Z3-10

The queen of flowering vines. Over 300 species, something for every spot.

Cleome
Cleome3-5'
Annual · Jun-Sep · Z2-11

Spider-flower with whisker-like stamens and airy blooms. Tall, dramatic annual that self-sows freely.

Columbine
Columbine2-3'
Perennial · Apr-Jun · Z3-8

Delicate, spurred flowers that dance on wiry stems. Hummingbird favorite.

Coneflower
Coneflower2-4'
Perennial · Jun-Sep · Z3-10

Tough prairie native with long bloom season and medicinal history.

Coral Bean
Coral Bean3-8'
Shrub · Apr-Jun · Z7-10

Bold spikes of tubular red flowers in spring attract hummingbirds before bean pods form.

Coral Bells
Coral Bells12-18"
Perennial · May-Jul · Z3-10

Grown mostly for dramatic foliage, but the tiny bell flowers are a bonus.

Cosmos
Cosmos3-5'
Annual · Jun-Oct · Z3-10

Airy, dancing flowers on thread-thin stems. Effortless cottage garden charm.

Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle10-25'
Tree · Jun-Sep · Z7-10

The tree of the South. Months of crinkled blooms and gorgeous peeling bark.

Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme2-4"
Ground Cover · Jun-Jul · Z3-10

Fragrant, walkable ground cover. Bees love it, foot traffic can't kill it.

Culinary Sage
Culinary Sage18-24"
Perennial · May-Jun · Z4-8

Spiky purple blooms above silver-green aromatic foliage. A kitchen herb that doubles as an ornamental.

Daylily
Daylily1-3'
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z3-10

Virtually indestructible perennial with trumpet blooms in every warm hue.

Delphinium
Delphinium3-6'
Perennial · Jun-Jul · Z3-8

Towering spires of true blue. The tallest, most dramatic back-of-border plant.

Desert Marigold
Desert Marigold12-18"
Perennial · Mar-Oct · Z7-11

Cheerful desert wildflower that blooms almost year-round in warm climates. Thrives on neglect.

Dianthus
Dianthus6-18"
Perennial · May-Aug · Z3-10

Spicy-scented, fringed petals. One of the best edging plants there is.

Don Juan Climbing Rose
Don Juan Climbing Rose8-12'
Vine · Jun-Oct · Z5-10

Deep velvety red climber with classic rose fragrance. Repeats reliably on a strong, vigorous plant.

Double Delight Rose
Double Delight Rose3-4'
Shrub · May-Sep · Z5-9

Creamy white petals blush to strawberry red at the edges. Knockout fragrance matches the looks.

Double Knock Out Rose
Double Knock Out Rose3-4'
Shrub · May-Oct · Z5-10

Fuller, double-petaled version of the Knock Out. Same bulletproof performance with more petal count.

Drift Rose
Drift Rose18-24"
Shrub · May-Oct · Z4-11

Groundcover rose that stays low and spreads wide. Tough, disease-resistant, and constantly in bloom.

Dutch Iris
Dutch Iris18-24"
Bulb · May-Jun · Z5-9

Slender stems bear elegant iris blooms in late spring to early summer.

Endless Summer Hydrangea
Endless Summer Hydrangea3-5'
Shrub · Jun-Sep · Z4-9

Reblooms on old and new wood, so you get flowers even after a harsh winter. Color shifts with soil pH.

Fanal Astilbe
Fanal Astilbe18-24"
Perennial · Jun-Jul · Z3-8

The deepest garnet-red of any astilbe. Dark bronze foliage makes those plumes glow.

Festiva Maxima Peony
Festiva Maxima Peony3-3'
Perennial · May-Jun · Z3-8

Pure white double blooms flecked with crimson at the center. Beloved since 1851 and still unmatched.

Feverfew
Feverfew18-24"
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z5-9

Clusters of small white daisies that bloom for weeks. Historic medicinal herb that self-sows readily.

Firecracker Penstemon
Firecracker Penstemon2-3'
Perennial · Apr-Jun · Z4-9

Spikes of scarlet tubular flowers that hummingbirds fight over. Southwestern native at its finest.

Flowering Tobacco
Flowering Tobacco2-4'
Annual · Jun-Sep · Z2-11

Tubular flowers that release sweet fragrance at dusk. A cottage garden classic that attracts moths and hummingbirds.

Foxglove
Foxglove3-5'
Perennial · May-Jul · Z3-8

Stately spires of spotted, bell-shaped flowers. Cottage garden royalty.

Fringe Tree
Fringe Tree10-20'
Tree · May-Jun · Z4-9

Clouds of white fringed petals dripping from branches in late spring. Fragrant and underused native.

Gardenia
Gardenia2-6'
Shrub · May-Aug · Z8-11

Glossy evergreen foliage frames intensely fragrant white flowers from late spring into summer.

Globe Artichoke
Globe Artichoke3-5'
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z7-11

Bold silvery foliage and large thistle-like buds are both decorative and edible.

Golden Rain Tree
Golden Rain Tree15-30'
Tree · Jun-Jul · Z5-9

Showers of small yellow flowers followed by papery lantern-like seed pods. Tolerates tough urban conditions.

Graham Thomas Rose
Graham Thomas Rose4-5'
Shrub · May-Oct · Z5-9

Rich golden-yellow cups with an intense tea rose fragrance. David Austin's most famous creation.

Happy Returns Daylily
Happy Returns Daylily18-24"
Perennial · May-Sep · Z3-9

Lemon-yellow rebloomer with light fragrance. A bit taller than Stella with softer color.

Hens and Chicks
Hens and Chicks3-6"
Perennial · Jun-Jul · Z3-8

Tight rosettes that multiply by producing offsets. The mother plant flowers once, then dies, replaced by chicks.

Hidcote Lavender
Hidcote Lavender12-18"
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z5-9

Compact and intensely dark purple. The standard against which all other lavenders are measured.

Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle8-20'
Vine · May-Aug · Z3-10

Tubular, nectar-rich flowers with a fragrance that defines summer evenings.

Hydrangea
Hydrangea3-6'
Shrub · Jun-Sep · Z5-10

Massive mophead blooms that shift color with soil pH. Showstoppers.

Ice Plant
Ice Plant3-6"
Perennial · Jun-Sep · Z5-10

Neon-bright daisy flowers that shimmer in the sun over succulent foliage. Thrives in hot, dry rock gardens.

Immortality Iris
Immortality Iris24-30"
Perennial · May-Sep · Z3-9

Reliable rebloomer with pure white ruffled falls. Blooms spring, then again in fall.

Impatiens
Impatiens8-24"
Annual · May-Oct · Z3-10

The shade annual champion. Flowers prolifically where nothing else will.

Incrediball Hydrangea
Incrediball Hydrangea4-5'
Shrub · Jun-Aug · Z3-8

Annabelle's bigger sibling with stronger stems that don't flop. Blooms the size of basketballs.

Indian Paintbrush
Indian Paintbrush6-24"
Annual · Apr-Jun · Z4-9

Bright red to orange bracts surround small flowers and glow across spring prairies.

Iris
Iris2-3'
Perennial · May-Jun · Z3-10

Elegant sword-leaved perennials with intricate, ruffled blooms.

Jackmanii Clematis
Jackmanii Clematis6-10'
Vine · Jun-Sep · Z4-8

The classic large-flowered clematis since 1858. Deep violet-purple blooms cover the vine midsummer.

Japanese Iris
Japanese Iris2-3'
Perennial · Jun-Jul · Z4-9

Huge, flat, ruffled blooms up to 10 inches across. Needs consistent moisture, especially during bloom.

Japanese Painted Fern
Japanese Painted Fern12-18"
Perennial · May-Sep · Z4-8

Silver and burgundy fronds unlike any other fern. Foliage plant that earns its keep on color alone.

Jasmine
Jasmine6-15'
Vine · Mar-Aug · Z7-10

Intensely sweet-scented white stars. The scent of warm southern evenings.

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass2-5'
Grass · Jun-Aug · Z4-9

Strong vertical plumes emerge in early summer and persist as tawny stems through winter.

Knock Out Rose
Knock Out Rose3-4'
Shrub · May-Oct · Z5-10

The rose that changed everything. Disease-resistant, self-cleaning, and blooms nonstop from spring to frost.

Lantana
Lantana1-4'
Perennial · May-Nov · Z7-10

Multi-colored flower clusters that bloom relentlessly in brutal heat.

Lavender
Lavender2-3'
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z5-10

Fragrant silver-green mounds beloved by bees and humans alike.

Lewisia
Lewisia6-12"
Perennial · May-Jun · Z4-8

Succulent rosettes with brilliant striped flowers in hot sunset colors. Must have perfect drainage or it rots.

Lupine
Lupine2-4'
Perennial · May-Jun · Z3-8

Dramatic spikes in every color. Short-lived but self-seeds generously.

Magnus Coneflower
Magnus Coneflower3-4'
Perennial · Jun-Sep · Z3-8

The gold standard coneflower. Flat, non-drooping petals around a bold copper cone. Perennial Plant of the Year.

Marigold
Marigold1-3'
Annual · Jun-Oct · Z3-10

Bulletproof color all season long. The workhorse of warm-toned borders.

Matilija Poppy
Matilija Poppy4-8'
Perennial · May-Jul · Z7-10

Enormous fried-egg flowers on blue-gray stems. California's largest native wildflower. Spreads aggressively.

May Night Salvia
May Night Salvia18-24"
Perennial · May-Aug · Z3-9

Perennial Plant of the Year. Dense indigo-violet spikes that rebloom if deadheaded.

Meadow Rue
Meadow Rue3-4'
Perennial · May-Jun · Z5-8

Fluffy puffs of bloom on tall, airy stems above columbine-like foliage. Light and ethereal.

Mexican Hat
Mexican Hat1-3'
Perennial · Jun-Sep · Z4-9

Distinctive sombrero-like flowers sway on wiry stems in summer prairies.

Miss Kim Lilac
Miss Kim Lilac4-6'
Shrub · May-Jun · Z3-8

Compact lilac with pale lavender blooms and outstanding fragrance. Burgundy fall foliage as a bonus.

Mock Orange
Mock Orange6-10'
Shrub · May-Jun · Z4-8

Arching stems carry orange-blossom-scented white flowers in late spring.

Morning Glory
Morning Glory8-12'
Annual · Jun-Oct · Z3-10

Fast-climbing vine with trumpets that open fresh every morning.

Mountain Laurel
Mountain Laurel5-10'
Shrub · May-Jun · Z3-8

Exquisite geometric buds open to cupped flowers. A native evergreen gem.

Munstead Lavender
Munstead Lavender12-18"
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z5-9

Earlier blooming and slightly softer purple than Hidcote. Gertrude Jekyll's favorite for a reason.

Nelly Moser Clematis
Nelly Moser Clematis6-8'
Vine · May-Sep · Z4-8

Pale pink petals with a darker pink bar down the center. Prefers some shade to prevent color fading.

New Dawn Climbing Rose
New Dawn Climbing Rose10-15'
Vine · Jun-Sep · Z5-9

The world's most popular climbing rose. Soft blush pink, sweetly fragrant, and remarkably vigorous.

Nikko Blue Hydrangea
Nikko Blue Hydrangea4-6'
Shrub · Jun-Aug · Z5-9

The classic blue mophead. Rich, true blue in acidic soil. A cottage garden essential.

Ninebark
Ninebark5-8'
Shrub · May-Jun · Z3-8

Peeling bark, burgundy foliage, and white puffs. A native multitasker.

Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf Hydrangea4-8'
Shrub · Jun-Jul · Z5-9

Oak-shaped leaves turn burgundy in fall. White cone blooms age to pink. Four-season native shrub.

Oregano
Oregano12-24"
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z4-9

Tiny flowers are a pollinator magnet when allowed to bloom. Let a patch go to flower for the bees.

Pacific Bleeding Heart
Pacific Bleeding Heart12-18"
Perennial · Apr-Aug · Z3-9

Western native that blooms much longer than its eastern cousin. Ferny foliage all season.

Penstemon
Penstemon2-3'
Perennial · May-Jul · Z3-8

Tubular flowers on upright stems. Native hummingbird magnet for dry gardens.

Peony
Peony2-3'
Perennial · May-Jun · Z3-8

Lush, ruffled blooms with intoxicating fragrance. Lives for decades.

Petunia
Petunia6-18"
Annual · May-Oct · Z3-10

Cascading color for containers and beds. Blooms nonstop until frost.

Phenomenal Lavender
Phenomenal Lavender2-3'
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z5-9

Survives humidity and cold that kills other lavenders. Silver foliage stays tight and full.

Pickerelweed
Pickerelweed2-3'
Perennial · Jun-Sep · Z3-10

Spikes of violet-blue flowers above glossy arrow-shaped leaves. Native pond and stream bank staple.

Pomegranate
Pomegranate6-15'
Shrub · May-Jul · Z8-11

Brilliant orange-red blossoms in late spring and summer are followed by decorative, edible fruits.

PowWow Wild Berry Coneflower
PowWow Wild Berry Coneflower18-24"
Perennial · Jun-Sep · Z3-8

Compact, heavily branched, and smothered in deep rose-purple blooms. Reblooms without deadheading.

Purple de Oro Daylily
Purple de Oro Daylily12-18"
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z3-9

Deep purple-red blooms on a compact Stella-sized plant. Brings rich color to the front of the border.

Purple Prairie Clover
Purple Prairie Clover12-24"
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z3-8

Brushy purple flower spikes rise over fine foliage and feed prairie pollinators.

Quick Fire Hydrangea
Quick Fire Hydrangea6-8'
Shrub · Jun-Sep · Z3-8

Blooms a full month before other paniculatas. White cones age to deep rosy pink by fall.

Red Twig Dogwood
Red Twig Dogwood6-10'
Shrub · May-Jun · Z3-8

Flat clusters of white flowers and berries give way to vivid red stems that shine in winter.

Rhododendron
Rhododendron6-10'
Shrub · May-Jun · Z3-8

Big, bold trusses of bloom over glossy evergreen foliage.

Rhubarb
Rhubarb2-4'
Perennial · May-Jun · Z3-8

Huge leaves and thick red stalks give a lush look while supplying tart harvests.

Rocky Mountain Columbine
Rocky Mountain Columbine18-24"
Perennial · May-Jul · Z3-8

Large blue-and-white spurred flowers bloom in late spring above lacy foliage.

Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Rocky Mountain Penstemon18-30"
Perennial · May-Jul · Z3-8

Spikes of deep blue tubular flowers rise above glossy evergreen foliage in early summer.

Rose
Rose2-8'
Perennial · May-Oct · Z3-10

The queen of the garden. Modern varieties are surprisingly low-maintenance.

Salal
Salal2-5'
Shrub · May-Jun · Z6-9

Leathery evergreen groundcover of Pacific Northwest forests. Urn-shaped flowers lead to edible berries.

Salvia
Salvia1-3'
Perennial · May-Sep · Z3-10

Vertical flower spikes that hummingbirds and bees cannot resist.

Sarah Bernhardt Peony
Sarah Bernhardt Peony3-3'
Perennial · May-Jun · Z3-8

Fully double, apple-blossom pink blooms so heavy they nod on their stems. The most planted peony in history.

Scarlet Sage
Scarlet Sage12-24"
Annual · Jun-Oct · Z2-11

Electric red spikes that hummingbirds zero in on. Common bedding plant that earns its spot every year.

Sea Thrift
Sea Thrift6-12"
Perennial · Apr-Jun · Z3-8

Grassy tufts topped with round pink pom-poms. Loves lean soil and coastal conditions.

Shasta Daisy
Shasta Daisy2-3'
Perennial · Jun-Aug · Z3-10

Classic white-and-gold daisies that look fresh from a meadow painting.

Shooting Star
Shooting Star6-18"
Perennial · Apr-Jun · Z4-8

Nodding flowers with swept-back petals resemble tiny shooting stars in spring meadows.

Smoke Tree
Smoke Tree10-15'
Tree · Jun-Jul · Z4-8

Airy pink flower plumes create a smoke-like haze around the canopy. 'Royal Purple' has burgundy foliage.

Snapdragon
Snapdragon1-3'
Annual · Apr-Sep · Z3-10

Vertical flower spikes with squeeze-open blooms. Kids love them.

Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal2-3'
Perennial · May-Jun · Z3-8

Arching stems hung with dangling white bells. Pairs of leaves create graceful, layered architecture.

Speedwell
Speedwell12-24"
Perennial · May-Aug · Z3-8

Tidy spikes of blue that add vertical punch to the front of the border.

Spirea
Spirea3-5'
Shrub · May-Jul · Z3-10

Flat-topped flower clusters on tidy mounds. The easiest flowering shrub.

Stella de Oro Daylily
Stella de Oro Daylily12-18"
Perennial · May-Sep · Z3-10

The most planted perennial in America. Compact, reblooming, and basically indestructible.

Stewartia
Stewartia10-30'
Tree · Jun-Jul · Z5-8

Camellia-like white flowers, exfoliating bark, and crimson fall color. The four-season tree professionals love.

Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum3-6"
Annual · Apr-Oct · Z3-10

Honey-scented carpet of tiny flowers. The best living edging plant.

Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea4-6'
Annual · Apr-Jun · Z2-11

Ruffled, intensely fragrant climbing flowers in every pastel shade. Cool-season annual that hates heat.

Tall Verbena
Tall Verbena3-4'
Annual · Jun-Oct · Z7-11

Wiry stems topped with purple clusters that butterflies can't resist. See-through plant for layering.

Tickseed
Tickseed12-24"
Perennial · Jun-Sep · Z3-10

Cheerful native daisy that blooms for months with almost no care.

Trumpet Vine
Trumpet Vine20-40'
Vine · Jun-Sep · Z5-10

Aggressive native vine with fiery trumpets. Hummingbird highway.

Viburnum
Viburnum6-12'
Shrub · Apr-Jun · Z3-10

Fragrant snowball clusters in spring, then berries for birds in fall.

Vinca
Vinca4-6"
Ground Cover · Apr-Jun · Z3-10

Evergreen mat with periwinkle-blue flowers. Tough shade ground cover.

Walker's Low Catmint
Walker's Low Catmint24-30"
Perennial · May-Sep · Z3-9

Perennial Plant of the Year. Billowy lavender-blue spikes that rebloom hard after a shear.

Water Lily
Water Lily1-6"
Perennial · Jun-Sep · Z4-10

Floating jewels that transform any pond. Pads provide shade for fish while flowers dazzle above.

Wax Begonia
Wax Begonia8-12"
Annual · May-Oct · Z8-11

Glossy leaves and nonstop flowers in sun or shade. One of the most reliable bedding plants anywhere.

Weigela
Weigela4-6'
Shrub · May-Jun · Z3-8

Tubular blooms smother arching branches in late spring. Hummingbird haven.

White Swan Coneflower
White Swan Coneflower2-3'
Perennial · Jun-Sep · Z3-9

Pure white drooping petals around a bronze-orange cone. Elegant and underused.

Wild Geranium
Wild Geranium12-24"
Perennial · Apr-Jun · Z3-8

Soft pink blooms over deeply-cut foliage. A woodland edge staple.

Winterberry
Winterberry6-10'
Shrub · Jun-Jul · Z3-8

Inconspicuous blooms, but covered in brilliant red berries all winter long.

Wonderful Pomegranate
Wonderful Pomegranate6-15'
Shrub · May-Jul · Z8-11

Reliable cultivar bearing large red fruits and vivid orange flowers.

Yarrow
Yarrow2-3'
Perennial · Jun-Sep · Z3-10

Flat-topped clusters on ferny foliage. Thrives on neglect in poor soil.

Yucca
Yucca4-8'
Perennial · Jun-Jul · Z4-10

Sword-like evergreen foliage sends up dramatic stalks of white bells. Tough, architectural, underrated.

Zinnia
Zinnia1-3'
Annual · Jun-Oct · Z3-10

Easy-grow annual with electric colors. Cut-and-come-again champion.

American Gold Rush Black-Eyed Susan
American Gold Rush Black-Eyed Susan18-24"
Perennial · Jul-Oct · Z3-9

Narrow, fuzzy foliage resists the leaf spot that plagues Goldsturm. A worthy upgrade.

Anise Hyssop
Anise Hyssop2-3'
Perennial · Jul-Sep · Z4-9

Lavender-blue spikes with licorice-scented foliage. A pollinator powerhouse that blooms for months.

Black-Eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susan2-3'
Perennial · Jul-Oct · Z3-10

Golden prairie workhorse that lights up late summer meadows.

Blue Angel Hosta
Blue Angel Hosta3-3'
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z3-8

Massive blue-gray leaves up to 18 inches long. One of the largest and most slug-resistant hostas.

Blue Grama Grass
Blue Grama Grass8-18"
Grass · Jul-Sep · Z3-10

Short clumping grass with distinctive eyebrow-shaped seed heads thrives in dry soils.

Bobo Hydrangea
Bobo Hydrangea3-3'
Shrub · Jul-Sep · Z3-8

Dwarf paniculata smothered in blooms. Perfect front-of-border plant that needs almost no care.

Cardinal Flower
Cardinal Flower2-4'
Perennial · Jul-Sep · Z3-10

Screaming scarlet spikes. The most vivid red in the native plant world.

Compass Plant
Compass Plant5-9'
Perennial · Jul-Sep · Z3-8

Tall stems with large yellow daisies tower over deeply cut basal leaves that align north-south.

Crocosmia
Crocosmia2-3'
Bulb · Jul-Aug · Z5-9

Arching sprays of fiery red-orange that hummingbirds go crazy for. Sword-like foliage adds structure.

Dahlia
Dahlia1-5'
Bulb · Jul-Oct · Z3-10

Endless forms from dinner-plate to pompom. The obsession of flower farmers.

Dragon's Blood Sedum
Dragon's Blood Sedum3-6"
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z3-9

Creeping mat of burgundy-tinged foliage with starry red flowers. Turns deep red in fall.

Emily McKenzie Crocosmia
Emily McKenzie Crocosmia24-30"
Bulb · Jul-Sep · Z5-9

Bold orange blooms with red throats appear on graceful arching stems in late summer.

Empress Wu Hosta
Empress Wu Hosta3-4'
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z3-8

The world's largest hosta. Individual leaves can exceed two feet. A bold statement in any shade garden.

Garden Phlox
Garden Phlox2-4'
Perennial · Jul-Sep · Z3-8

Billowing clusters of fragrant summer color. A butterfly magnet.

Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan
Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan24-30"
Perennial · Jul-Oct · Z3-9

The gold standard rudbeckia. Uniform, floriferous, and utterly reliable in any soil.

Halcyon Hosta
Halcyon Hosta14-18"
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z3-8

The bluest hosta you can grow. Thick, heavily textured leaves resist slugs better than most.

Hosta
Hosta1-3'
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z3-8

The undisputed queen of shade gardening. Foliage in every green and blue.

Joe-Pye Weed
Joe-Pye Weed4-7'
Perennial · Jul-Sep · Z3-8

Towering native with mauve domes that butterflies swarm in late summer.

June Hosta
June Hosta12-15"
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z3-8

Gold center streaked with blue-green margins. Color shifts through the season. A collector's favorite.

Liatris
Liatris2-4'
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z3-10

Blazing star. Spikes that bloom unusually from top to bottom.

Ligularia
Ligularia3-4'
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z4-8

Bold, dinner-plate leaves with daisy-like flowers. Loves wet feet and will wilt dramatically if dry.

Limelight Hydrangea
Limelight Hydrangea6-8'
Shrub · Jul-Sep · Z3-8

Cone-shaped blooms open chartreuse, mature to white, then blush pink in fall. Tough as nails.

Little Lime Hydrangea
Little Lime Hydrangea3-5'
Shrub · Jul-Sep · Z3-8

Compact Limelight. Same color show in a smaller package perfect for borders and containers.

Patriot Hosta
Patriot Hosta18-22"
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z3-8

Dark green leaves with crisp white margins. Classic variegated hosta that brightens shady spots.

Pinky Winky Hydrangea
Pinky Winky Hydrangea6-8'
Shrub · Jul-Sep · Z3-8

Two-tone blooms with white tips and pink bases. Strong stems hold heavy flower heads upright.

Prairie Dock
Prairie Dock4-8'
Perennial · Jul-Sep · Z3-8

Huge basal leaves and tall stalks topped with yellow daisies give strong prairie structure.

Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon8-12'
Shrub · Jul-Oct · Z5-10

Tropical-looking hibiscus flowers on a cold-hardy shrub. Blooms late.

Russian Sage
Russian Sage3-4'
Perennial · Jul-Oct · Z3-10

Airy lavender clouds on silver stems. Thrives in heat and poor soil.

Sacred Lotus
Sacred Lotus3-5'
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z4-10

Massive blooms rise above umbrella leaves in shallow water. Seedpods are as ornamental as the flowers.

Sum and Substance Hosta
Sum and Substance Hosta3-3'
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z3-8

Chartreuse giant that can take more sun than most hostas. Heart-shaped leaves grow enormous.

Sunflower
Sunflower3-8'
Annual · Jul-Sep · Z3-10

Pure joy on a stalk. Birds love the seeds, kids love the spectacle.

Tuberose
Tuberose2-3'
Bulb · Jul-Sep · Z7-10

Tall summer spikes of waxy white blooms release powerful evening fragrance.

Visions in Pink Astilbe
Visions in Pink Astilbe12-18"
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z3-8

Compact and more drought-tolerant than most astilbes. Dense, rosy-pink plumes.

Wild Bergamot
Wild Bergamot2-4'
Perennial · Jul-Aug · Z3-9

The wild cousin of bee balm. Lavender puffs alive with pollinators. Tougher and more mildew-resistant.

Aster
Aster1-4'
Perennial · Aug-Nov · Z3-8

The grand finale of the garden season. Essential for fall pollinators.

Autumn Joy Sedum
Autumn Joy Sedum18-24"
Perennial · Aug-Oct · Z3-9

Broccoli-like heads open pink and age to copper-bronze. Four-season interest, zero maintenance.

California Fuchsia
California Fuchsia12-24"
Perennial · Aug-Oct · Z8-10

Low mounds of gray foliage are covered in tubular red-orange flowers in late summer.

Fountain Grass
Fountain Grass2-4'
Grass · Aug-Nov · Z5-10

Arching, bottlebrush plumes that catch the light. Movement in the garden.

Goldenrod
Goldenrod2-5'
Perennial · Aug-Oct · Z3-10

Wrongly blamed for allergies. A vital late-season pollinator magnet.

Helenium
Helenium3-5'
Perennial · Aug-Oct · Z3-8

Warm-toned daisy-like flowers with raised centers bloom as summer turns to fall. Loves moist soil.

Japanese Anemone
Japanese Anemone2-4'
Perennial · Aug-Oct · Z5-8

Graceful, swaying blooms on tall stems. Elegant in partial shade.

Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass12-18"
Grass · Aug-Sep · Z5-9

Arching variegated leaves form graceful cascades and brighten shady spots.

Little Bluestem
Little Bluestem2-4'
Grass · Aug-Oct · Z3-9

Upright clumps turn coppery orange in fall and stand well through winter.

Prairie Dropseed
Prairie Dropseed18-30"
Grass · Aug-Sep · Z3-9

Fine-textured mounds send up airy fragrant flower sprays that persist into winter.

Sedum
Sedum6-24"
Perennial · Aug-Nov · Z3-10

Succulent leaves, tough as nails. Ages to deep crimson in autumn.

Showy Goldenrod
Showy Goldenrod2-4'
Perennial · Aug-Oct · Z3-8

Upright spikes of bright yellow flowers feed late-season pollinators on dry prairies.

Sweet Autumn Clematis
Sweet Autumn Clematis10-20'
Vine · Aug-Sep · Z4-9

Explosive late-summer bloom of thousands of tiny fragrant white flowers. Vigorous to a fault.

Switchgrass
Switchgrass3-6'
Grass · Aug-Oct · Z3-10

Upright native grass with airy seed heads. Gold and red fall color.

Turtlehead
Turtlehead2-3'
Perennial · Aug-Oct · Z3-8

Snapdragon-like flowers shaped exactly like a turtle's head. Loves wet feet.

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