Prolong Your Summer Flower Garden - Kings Seeds

It's the height of summer, and our gardens have transformed into vibrant tapestries of colour filled with stunning summer flowers. But what happens when those beautiful blooms start to fade? With a few strategic steps, you can extend the life of your summer flower garden and ensure your plants stay healthy and blooming until those autumn cold snaps arrive. Let's explore the best ways to prolong the beauty of your summer garden, including flower suggestions and essential care tips!

What Summer Flowers Are Already Blooming

With the warmth of the New Zealand sun, several flowers emerge as stars of summer. Commonly blooming flowers during this time of year include:

- Dahlias: Bursting with colour, dahlias come in various shapes and sizes, are perennial, making them a favourite for both beginner and expert gardeners alike. Plus all parts of the plant are edible.

- Petunias: These cheerful flowers thrive in the sun and come in various shades, adding instant colour to your garden or pots. Pop some in a hanging basket for a simple, vibrant floral display.

- Sunflowers: A summer staple, sunflowers not only bring joy but are also great for attracting pollinators and cleaning up soil.

- Geraniums: Known for their striking blooms and long-lasting flowers, geraniums add vibrancy, especially in containers.

- Zinnias: Long lasting and attractive to pollinators, from bees to butterflies, great for your garden ecosystem. A fabulous cut flower for the summer and autumn vase.

To keep these beauties flourishing, regular deadheading - removing spent flowers - encourages new growth and more blooms. 

Summer Flower Garden Ideas

A stunning summer flower garden can add so much joy to your outdoor space, and creativity can be pushed! Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Layer Heights: Combining tall flowers, such as sunflowers, with shorter varieties like marigolds creates visual interest. Use this technique both in garden beds and containers, where you can add in the extra element of flowers and plants that spill over the side of the containers.

2. Colour Coordination: Design your garden around a colour scheme, such as contrasting colours (yellow and purple - sunflowers and salvias) or a harmonious mix (blue and white - forget-me-not and statice), to make a beautiful visual impact.

3. Edible Flowers: Incorporate edible varieties, such as nasturtiums, butterfly pea, calendula or borage to not only beautify your garden but also add a tasty twist to salads and dishes.

4. Seasonal Containers: Opt for large pots filled with seasonal summer flowers like petunias and livingstone daisies, which can enhance your front door step or patio while being easy to maintain.

 

What Flowers to Plant in Late Summer

As summer progresses, consider sowing flowers that can extend your blooming period into autumn. Here are some great options to plant in late summer:

- Salvia: Known for its vibrant colours and hardy nature, salvia thrives in sunny spots and attracts pollinators. Planting it in well-drained soil will ensure healthy growth and prolific blooms.

- Cornflower: With its striking blue petals and array of other colours, cornflower is a classic addition to any garden. It's resilience makes it a favourite for both wildflower gardens and cottage-style plantings.

- Snapdragons: Planting snapdragons late in the season will provide stunning blooms as the temperatures start to cool.

When planting in late summer, remember that conditions can vary, so be sure to choose varieties that are suitable for your specific climate zone in New Zealand. You can find details on climate zones here.

 

Late Summer Flower Garden Care & Tips

To ensure your summer flower garden remains stunning, regular care is essential:

- Watering: Adequate watering is critical in the warmer months. It's best to water deeply and early in the morning to prevent evaporation and enhance soil absorption.

- Fertilising: Apply a balanced fertiliser mid-summer to boost growth. Our Seaweed and Herb Concentrate and Foilar Feed can give your plants the added boost they need, alternatively try a DIY fertiliser like the ones shown here. 

- Weeding: Regularly check for weeds that compete for nutrients and space. Pulling them out early prevents them from establishing, flowering and spreading seeds throughout your garden.

- Pest Management: Keep a lookout for useful helpers like ladybugs and lacewings, which will naturally control harmful pests. If issues arise, consider using organic pest control methods to protect your garden. Check out our social media for more dedicated videos on pests.

What To Do With Your Summer Flowers

After enjoying the blooms of summer flowers, consider the following tips:

- Cut Flowers: Pick a posy and display them proudly inside, you've worked hard to cultivate and grow your blooms now you can enjoy them.

- Plant Sharing: Share bunches of beauty with friends and family! A bouquet of your garden's flowers is a heartfelt gift that grows connection and joy.

- Make them Timeless: Photograph them to frame or use as a garden diary of what worked and didn't work in your designs for reference in future years. Or dry them to last for years.

Planning for Autumn: Keep Your Flower Garden Blooming

Deadheading will help keep your summer blooms around with plants producing more as you remove the old spent blooms, along with some quick-growing calendula and alyssum for the last burst of blooms into winter.

Then as the days begin to shorten and the temperatures start to cool, you can plan for the next season while enjoying your summer blooms. Plant perennial flowers like lupin, aquilegia and foxglove to ensure early spring colours.

Remember to assess which summer flowers you'd like to keep for another season. Remember to give your perennials some attention and care so they safely go dormant and remain healthy for next season.

 

Enjoy Your Beautiful Summer Flowers

Summer flowers bring so much joy and beauty into our lives! They provide food and a safe haven for pollinators and help our fruits and vegetables thrive. With just a bit of care, you can keep those vibrant blooms filling your vase all season long. Enjoy the colourful display!