Brian Minter: Call for reinforcements to keep the summer colors alive

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As we are now in the final stages of summer, many gardens could do with a burst of colour. While many annuals and perennials have thrived this year, some are starting to look a little tired and need a boost to create a vibrant look and feel for late summer and early fall.

Late summer grasses are definitely some of my favorite plants for transitioning into fall. I know that fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum) is classified as a zone 9 annual, but it’s hard to beat. Its dramatic dark foliage and masses of burgundy flower heads dancing in the breeze create pure garden magic. This fountain grass loves the August heat and is a focal point in any container or garden bed.

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Some of the perennial varieties of the Pennisetum family, from the tiny P. Little Bunny to the larger P. Red Head, are ornamental grasses that bloom in August and become more spectacular each year. Pennisetum blends well with the entire Rudbeckia family, and when garden chrysanthemums appear, Pennisetums are their perfect companions. Golden Lysimachia (Creeping Jenny) adds beautiful foliage contrast to any Pennisetum planting and makes an excellent overflow feature in a container.

The large and ever-growing family of miscanthus grasses is also preparing to flower in a few weeks. One of the least used varieties is the short M. Yaku Jima, which combines so well with a variety of late summer perennials and is a must-have in any garden. From the bright yellow-orange flowers of the heliopsis and heleniums to the late-blooming echinaceas, this compact miscanthus is a great partner.

Taller miscanthus varieties such as Morning Light, which grows over three feet tall and has feathery, variegated foliage, M. Fire Dragon, which also grows four to five feet tall and whose foliage turns red, and M. Huron Sunrise all provide a garden backdrop for tall, late-blooming perennials such as Rudbeckia Herbstsonne, Eupatorium Gateway and Helianthus Suncatcher. The glow of late summer sunlight brings these plants to life.

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Medium-sized grasses such as Andropogon Blackhawks, Schizachyrium Prairie Winds Blue Paradise and Smoke Signal have blue-green foliage that turns to a rich, deep purple. Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica Red Baron) is now turning its tips blood red, making any garden area or container it grows in a focal point. These and many other grasses bring rich texture, color and movement to our late summer and fall gardens.

Only at this time of year will you find the spectacular, large-flowered perennial hibiscus, which provides brilliant color. Walters Gardens in Michigan has bred many new varieties and also produced the exceptional Summerific series of Proven Winners, which has become the new standard for garden hibiscus. There is nothing in our gardens that can match the spectacular splendor of these giant bloomers. Last summer I happened to come across an area where perennial hibiscus had been planted en masse in a series of connected gardens, and their effect was truly astonishing. Today, many varieties of perennial hibiscus are available with a wide range of flower colors and also with lush foliage variations.

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Perennial hibiscus flowers are 6-8 inch flowers that usually bloom in shades of pink; many have a contrasting red throat. I love the bi-colored flowers, such as the soft tones of Ballet Slippers and the bold Cherry Choco Latte. For reds, Holy Grail, Valentine’s Crush and Blackberry Merlot create a dramatic color palette. For deep, rich pinks, look no further than H. Airbrush Effect, H. Evening Roses and H. Watermelon Ruffles. Most hibiscus flowers are various shades of green, but many hibiscus varieties in Proven Winners’ Summerific series have rich burgundy leaves that contrast beautifully with their huge flowers.

For optimal growth, hibiscus plants need the warmest, sunniest spot in your garden. They thrive in the summer heat and are very drought tolerant once established. Cool coastal areas are not ideal locations for these heat lovers.

Although perennial hibiscus flowers are late in blooming, often not appearing until late June, they grow very quickly, reaching heights of up to 1.5 metres and widths. Once they start flowering, they often continue to bloom well into September.

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Another late summer superstar is the old fashioned stonecrop, or Sedum Spectabile. Now available in a huge range of leaf and flower colours, they have become a popular late summer plant because they are the most heat and drought tolerant perennials we have, and they do so much with so little care.

Sedums provide colorful foliage as early as spring and get better and better through the summer. Flower buds appear in late July. The cut flowers are becoming increasingly popular because they last amazingly long. Sedums are excellent pollinator plants and bloom at a time when many other perennials have finished flowering. When the flowers open, they bring fresh color to any garden and make ideal container plants. Proven Winners has developed a Rock ‘N’ Grow collection that are among the last to bloom. Many, like S. Midnight Velvet and S. Tiramisu, have rich dark foliage that contrasts beautifully with their red and pink flowers. S. Lemonjade is quite unique with its yellow flowers followed by peach-colored seed heads. I also like the white and green mottled foliage of the old S. Frosted Fire with its contrasting pink flowers and S. Matrona with its darker foliage and rich pink flowers. All of these varieties have strong stems and stand up well to late summer rains.

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It’s that time of year when it makes sense to do a little tweaking of your garden to get it into late summer mode. These are just some of the plants that can ease that transition and keep your garden looking fresh and exciting.

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