X

Top Plants for Summer Color

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Sharon Cohoon
1 /17 Thomas J. Story

Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa)

These are a staple of Mediterranean-style garden. These statuesque mint family members bear tall stems (up to about 4 feet in height) set with widely-spaced, hooded yellow flowers on roughly spherical inflorescences. The thick, typically furry or hairy, grayish-green leaves can range from lance-shaped to narrow heart-shaped; the velvet coating helps preserve moisture. They pair well with red hot poker (Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’) and creeping rosemary, both aesthetically and in their requirements: well-drained soils and full sun.
2 /17 Thomas J. Story

'Hot Cocoa' rose

This floribunda rose bears red blossoms.

3 /17 Thomas J. Story

'Moonshine' yarrow

The sunny hues of this Mediterranean perennial complement the violet-blue spikes of catmint (Nepeta).

4 /17 Thomas J. Story

'Sally Holmes' rose

A vigorous white rose, it blooms in huge clusters.

5 /17 Thomas J. Story

Feather reed grass

Calamagrostis x acutiflora has a vertical growth habit and showy seed heads.

6 /17 Thomas J. Story

Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow'

The bronzy red Japanese barberry colors up best in full sun.

7 /17 Thomas J. Story

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes

A cluster from the Strombergs’ vineyards shows the seeded, pearl-size grapes in various stages of ripeness.

8 /17 Thomas J. Story

Coreopsis grandiflora 'Sunray'

Like the rest of the sunflower family, these bright yellow summer flowers bloom all season long on little water.

9 /17 Thomas J. Story

Pennisetum orientale

A pretty, midsize (2 ft.) grass explodes with showy pink to white plumes.

10 /17 Thomas J. Story

Sedum telephium

Dense summer flowers cluster on sturdy stems rising above bright green leaves. Blooms start out blush-colored, aging to coppery pink, then rust as weather cools. Pretty beside asters.

11 /17 Thomas J. Story

Coleonema pulchrum 'Sunset Gold' Yellow

Yellow foliage distinguishes this heathlike shrub with tiny pink flowers.

12 /17 Thomas J. Story

Aster cordifolius 'Little Carlow'

Deep violet-blue summer flowers cluster atop plants that grow 3 to 4 ft. tall.

13 /17 Thomas J. Story

Small-Scale Water Features

Rustic fountains help make Mediterranean-style plantings look at home among California's golden hills. Because water is a precious resource, using it respectfully in the garden is a tradition. Something lavish would have been out of character in this drought-tolerant landscape.

14 /17 Thomas J. Story

Permeable hardscape

'Paprika' yarrow and 'Walker's Low' catmint edge a secluded seating area. Every drop of rain that falls in this thirsty part of the country ought to go in the land. That’s one reason gravel, vs. non-permeable paving, was used throughout the garden.

15 /17 Thomas J. Story

Low-water shimmer

Fine-textured plants such as grasses reflect the sun brilliantly. Because they are used extensively in this garden, the whole landscape seems to dance with light. The garden acknowledges that blond is the natural color of summer in California. The tawny flower plumes of Calamagrostis x acutiflora (feather reed grass) match the amber hues of the hills.

16 /17 Thomas J. Story

Empty containers

In a hot climate, planted pots are hard to maintain, but empty ones look great.

17 /17 Thomas J. Story

Shade

The best way to enjoy the sun is from a shaded location. These mature oaks shelter outdoor living areas. Swing seating under an oak is inviting on warm days.