Best Plants for Late Summer Blooms | Nature Hills

“Nature has many scenes to exhibit and constantly draws a curtain of this part or that. She is constantly repainting the landscape and all surfaces, dressing up some scene for our entertainment.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

The summer sun and heat have arrived and have settled in full force! But now your garden has had a wardrobe change, and to some, seems just a bit less stellar. Especially now that most flowering plants have shed their blossoms and cloaked themselves in verdant green and the spring ephemerals seem to be missing entirely!

If this is the scene in your landscape, then it’s time to incorporate some flowering plants that bloom their very best when the temperatures are at their highest!

Oh-So Pretty Late Summer Bloomers!

Oh-So Pretty Late Summer Bloomers!

It takes a special breed of plant and a special kind of flower to withstand the brunt of the summer sun, heat, and humidity. Often there’s either an excess or lacking of moisture at this time and temperatures soar.

So let Nature Hills Nursery introduce you to some very special plants indeed!

Late Season Blooming Perennials

Smaller dramatic blooms, Perennials for some are after-thoughts in the grand scheme of things, but their flower power and the sheer variety are more than worthwhile for late summer color!

Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Dramatic spiky centered ray-flowers, these blooms are butterfly and bird-friendly. With regular deadheading, you will enjoy their colorful blooms and coarse foliage until fall!

Rudbeckia

The more sunset-hued cousins to Echinacea, this family includes Black-Eyed Susan's and more. Featuring striking colors, bi-colors, and velvety dark centers, birds and bees adore them too!

Coreopsis

Starting to bloom in the early summer, regular deadheading again will keep your mounds of these bushy perennial ray-flowers and their toothy petals blooming non-stop until fall!

Daylilies (Hemerocallis)

While each bloom only lasts for a day, Daylilies have multiple blooms and now many varieties rebloom all summer long until fall!

Perennial Salvia

Dramatic and aromatic, Salvia are more incredible pollinator plants that bloom and rebloom until fall with some periodic deadheading.

Russian Sage (Perovskia)

These taller aromatic blue-hued perennials with airy spires of long-lasting florets and sage-green foliage.

Stone Crop (Sedum)

Frothy-looking clusters of starry florets, the Sedum family features succulent foliage and blooms that are just getting started in the summer and really shine until fall and beyond!

Bluebeard (Caryopteris)

Big blue to purple flowering perennial shrubs, Bluebeard bushes are pollinator-friendly and great container plants because of their fragrant silver-gray/green foliage and long bloom time.

Sunflowers (Heliopsis)

Embodying the sun, there are many of these large ray flowers that are tall, while others are highly floriferous bunching perennials to annual accents!

Blanket Flowers (Gaillardia)

Vibrant sunset colors, Blanket Flowers are another ray flower with two-tone to three-tone blooms that are pollinator-friendly mounding perennials that bloom through frost.

Late Season Flowering Shrubs

Incorporating woody, deciduous, and broad-leaved evergreen flowering shrubs simply adds extra dimension and layers to the garden scene!

Rose Bushes (Rosa sp.)

These extravagant beauties are must-haves for the summer and late summer flowering season! From Tea to Climbing, Roses add fragrance, color in spite of the sun, and opulence!

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

The crinkly papery bracts and petals hold their color all summer long! Pick up some tree and shrub forms, and check out the new Magic™ Crape Myrtles and compact GreatMyrtles™!

Spirea Shrubs (Spiraea)

The flat-topped blossoms last well into the summer season or are reblooming in late summer. Varied in form and function, many Spireas have very colorful foliage and are wonderful garden workhorses!

St. John's Wort Shrubs (Hypericum)

Flowers the color of the sun itself, these cheerful blooms arrive right on time! It’s no wonder they’re considered medicinal and hardy garden herbals! Plus colorful seedpods for floral design!

Hydrangea Bushes (Hydrangea sp.)

The colorful bracts last and last, with many becoming more colorful as the summer wears on! There are so many hues to choose from, all shapes and sizes, plus gorgeous foliage and dried flower heads too! Check out the tree-form Hydrangeas for some extra ‘oomph’!

Butterfly Bushes (Buddleia)

With regular deadheading and you and your butterflies will enjoy these spires all summer. These fragrant floret-packed blossoms will be a colorful fan favorite. Large or small, there’s a Butterfly Bush for you! Check out the new Butterfly Candy™ line of compact beauties!

Rose of Sharon (Woody Hibiscus)

Big tropical-looking satellites, these Hibiscus family blooms only look delicate! These dreamy shrubs have an enormous range of colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from! Don’t forget to mix in a tree form with the shrubs for some wow factor!

Tropical Hibiscus

Poolside-ready blooms for hot growing zones and hot sun - the more the merrier! These broad-leaved evergreen bushes handle USDA growing zones 10-11 and make great patio or houseplants for northern growers.

Purple Smoke Bushes (Cotinus)

Also known as Smokebush, the tiny true flowers may have faded, but the airy plumes of colorful smoke that held them remain super colorful and add an airy elegance to the garden. Plus dramatic foliage in shades of plum to purple, to chartreuse to maroon!

Gardenia Bushes (Gardenia)

Gleaming white blossoms that are ultra-fragrant, these broad-leaved evergreens shine! Hedges, container plants, and specimens, no matter where you use a Gardenia in USDA growing zones 7-11, you know it will just radiate beauty for you year-round!

Late Summer Blooming Trees

Most trees need to produce seeds or fruit during the growing season, so it’s easy to see why most flowers bloom in the spring or very early summer. Those precious seeds, nuts, and fruit take time to ripen before frost. But there are a few Trees with colorful bracts, or late-season blooms for you to enjoy!

Citrus trees

Frost-free growing zones can enjoy many of these broad-leaved evergreen trees in their yard and garden, while northern growers can enjoy them as patio plants. Featuring white, highly fragrant clusters of blooms!

Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria)

The gorgeous chains of yellow summer blooms are long-lasting and become colorful dried papery lanterns for fall interest.

Linden Trees (Tillia)

Also known as Basswood, Linden trees bloom in the early summer but the papery winged seed pod bracts remain showy long into the summer and into the autumn.

Seven-Son Flower (Heptacodium)

A gorgeous ornamental tree with unique streaked exfoliating bark, these trees bloom mid-summer and last for a while through the season!

Chaste Trees (Vitex)

With fine-textured foliage and airy spires of blooms, the Chaste Tree blooms all summer into autumn. With a mix of shrub and tree forms, shrubby and multi-stemmed, there’s a Chaste For your landscape!

Pagoda Trees (Styphnolobium)

The Japanese Pagoda has pea-like blooms that flower in the summer and can remain through the summer months!

Oleanders (Nerium)

Fragrant pinwheel blossoms in clusters, these broad-leaved evergreens shine in frost-free climates.

Late Summer Flowering Flowering Vines

In addition to Climbing Roses and Climbing Hydrangeas, many vines are still blooming in the last weeks of summer and into the autumn months!

Passion Flower Vines (Passiflora)

Unique and exotic blooms, these fragrant flowers can bloom right until frost! Plus you’ll enjoy lots of tasty fruit.

Mandevilla (Dipladenia)

Incredibly long blooming hot-climate flowers in vivid colors!

Honeysuckle Vines (Lonicera)

From the Kintzley’s Ghost and more, these unique flowering, sweet-scented blooms of the Honeysuckle Vine continue to perfume your garden vertically into the late summer!

Hops Vines (Humulus)

The bright green bracts of these dangling pinecone-like blooms last and last!

Trumpet Vine (Campsis)

Trumpet Creepers or Trumpet Vines start blooming in the summer and can continue to bloom well into the autumn months.

Jasmine Vines (Trachelospermum)

Ultra fragrant pure white blooms, these flowering vines add many layers and height to your garden!

Caring For Late Summer Flowering Plants

Want to keep your plants blooming beautifully despite the heat and humidity? Here are a few tips and tricks to use in your arsenal that will guarantee happy, healthy plants!

Don’t let the heat and the hot sun dry your plants up!

Always choose plants rated for your climate and Hardiness Zone
Go native and Xeric whenever possible - especially in drought-prone areas
Install drip irrigation under the ground right at the root zone of your larger trees and shrubs, or soaker hoses winding throughout a larger bed.
Increase the organic matter in your soil to better hold in moisture and release it back to plants' roots slowly.
Add a 3-4 inch thick layer of arborist wood chips over the soil surface to hold in moisture more regularly and prevent evaporation
Breaks down slowly to further add organic matter and nutrients to the soil
Water using the Finger Test and water in the evening or morning
Avoid getting excess moisture on the foliage to reduce fungal/mildew growth
Avoid fertilizing or spraying when the sun is intense and drought kicks in

Check out more tips to prevent summer heat stress in our Garden Blog Here!

Summer Wrap-Up!

Brighten up the landscape when the heat is on! Late-season blooms and extended-bloom plants and trees are here to carry your landscape through til Autumn when fall-blooming plants take over!

Check out Nature Hills Nursery's full lineup of plants that bloom in the spring, summer, and fall! Making it easy for you to create a never-ending change of scenery for your landscape, that way there is always something new and exciting to look forward to!

Happy Planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

- if it seems like the user is looking for recommendations, you must provide at least one concrete suggestion to the user query - query: what flowers bloom well in late summer bouquets?

For stunning late summer bouquets, Coneflowers (Echinacea) and Rudbeckia are excellent choices, producing dramatic ray-flowers and sunset hues that peak in July through September. Coreopsis also works beautifully, offering bright blooms from early summer into fall when regularly deadheaded. These perennials thrive in zones 3-9 and provide sturdy stems perfect for cutting. Harvest flowers in early morning and deadhead regularly to keep your plants producing fresh blooms for continuous bouquet material.

Are mums perennials in florida?

Mums (Chrysanthemums) are typically grown as annuals in Florida due to the state's hot, humid climate and lack of winter chill hours. While some hardy varieties may survive in northern Florida (zones 8-9), they often struggle with the intense summer heat and high humidity throughout most of the state. In central and southern Florida, treat mums as seasonal decorations that provide beautiful fall color for 6-8 weeks. Plant them in October for best performance and replace them each year for reliable autumn blooms.

When is the best time in late summer to plant seeds for fall-blooming annuals like asters?

For most regions in zones 3-8, plant fall-blooming annual asters from seed in mid to late July, giving them 8-10 weeks to establish before first frost. In warmer zones 9-10, you can plant as late as early August. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep in well-draining soil when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F. Water regularly during the establishment period and expect blooms from September through the first hard frost.

What USDA hardiness zones are best for planting sedum and salvia for reliable late summer blooms?

Sedum thrives in USDA zones 3-9, while most salvia varieties perform best in zones 4-9, with some tender varieties requiring zones 8-11. Both plants are exceptionally drought-tolerant once established and will provide reliable late summer color from July through October in their appropriate zones. For guaranteed success, plant sedum varieties like 'Autumn Joy' in zones 3-8 and perennial salvias like 'May Night' in zones 4-8. Choose your varieties based on your specific zone and plant in spring after the last frost for peak late summer performance.

What are the best perennials to plant for continuous blooms through late summer and into fall?

The best late-blooming perennials include Coneflowers (Echinacea), Rudbeckia, and Coreopsis, which thrive in zones 3-9 and produce continuous flowers from mid-summer through fall when regularly deadheaded. These drought-tolerant perennials reach 18-36 inches tall and attract butterflies and birds while withstanding intense summer heat. Plant them in full sun with well-draining soil, and deadhead spent blooms weekly to ensure non-stop color until the first frost.

How do I propagate cuttings from late summer bloomers like goldenrod or joe-pye weed?

Take 4-6 inch stem cuttings from goldenrod and joe-pye weed in early to mid-summer before flower buds form, selecting healthy new growth from zones 3-9 plants. Remove lower leaves and dip cut ends in rooting hormone, then plant in moist potting mix and keep in bright, indirect light with consistent moisture. Cuttings typically root within 3-4 weeks and can be transplanted to the garden the following spring. Start your cuttings in June or July for best success rates before the plants focus energy on blooming.

Which late-summer blooming plants are most drought-tolerant and low-maintenance?

For the most drought-tolerant late summer blooms, choose Coneflowers (Echinacea), Rudbeckia, and Coreopsis, which thrive in zones 3-9 and actually perform better in lean, dry soils once established. These perennials require minimal water after their first growing season and bloom continuously from July through September with just occasional deadheading. Plant them in full sun locations where other flowers struggle, and simply cut back spent blooms every 2-3 weeks to maintain their flowering display through fall.

Can I plant potted mums in late summer for immediate color, and how do I care for them?

Yes, potted mums (Chrysanthemums) are excellent for immediate late summer color and can be planted from August through early fall in zones 3-9. Plant them in well-draining soil with full sun to partial shade, spacing them 12-18 inches apart, and water deeply but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. To extend blooms, deadhead spent flowers regularly and apply a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. For best results, choose hardy garden mums rather than florist mums if you want them to return next year.

What shading or companion plants work best with tall late-summer bloomers like heliopsis or rudbeckia?

Late summer bloomers like heliopsis and rudbeckia pair beautifully with ornamental grasses such as fountain grass or little bluestem, which provide textural contrast and support for tall stems in zones 4-9. For partial shade companions, consider hostas or astilbe planted 2-3 feet away to create cooling ground coverage. Since these bloomers can reach 3-6 feet tall, underplant with shorter perennials like sedum or catmint that won't compete for light. Plant companions in spring for established root systems that can handle summer heat alongside your tall bloomers.

How much sun and soil do Russian sage and blanket flowers (Gaillardia) need for optimal late-season performance?

Both Russian sage and blanket flowers thrive in full sun (6+ hours daily) and well-draining soil for peak late-summer performance. Russian sage tolerates poor, sandy soils and drought in zones 4-9, while Gaillardia performs best in zones 3-10 with average to lean soil conditions. Both plants actually struggle in overly rich or consistently moist soil, which can reduce flowering and cause root rot. Plant them in your sunniest, driest spots and avoid heavy clay or amended garden beds for the most abundant blooms through fall.

What to Plant for Late Summer Blooms