Daylight may be growing shorter and the calendar is leaning towards fall – but there are still a handful of weeks left in summer and these beauties are growing strong.
‘American Gold Rush’ Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hybrid)
Black-Eyed Susan
Blooming all the way through fall, ‘American Gold Rush’ Black-Eyed Susan has dark chocolate centers and golden yellow petals. It makes an excellent border plant and is a garden “wow” when planted in groupings. Add it to cutting and pollinator gardens.
Black-eyed Susan is drought tolerant once established and likes well-drained soil. It is resistant to Septoria leaf spot. This perennial is about 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity. It thrives in full sun or part shade. Plant in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9.
Arctic Fire Red® – Red-Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)
Arctic Fire Dogwood
Arctic Fire® Dogwood is a winter standout for its bright red stems and compact habit. In late summer, clusters of springtime white blooms turn into white berries that provide food for songbirds. This deciduous landscape shrub grows on old wood and has an upright, compact habit.
At maturity, it reaches 3 to 5 feet tall in the landscape and has a similar spread. This makes Arctic Fire Dogwood ideal for small gardens and landscape borders. It tolerates a variety of soil conditions and is deer resistant. Plant in shade or sun, in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 7.
Morning Light Ornamental Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)
Morning Light Ornamental Grass
This warm-season ornamental grass likes hot weather, so it begins its growth in early summer. Named for its variegated foliage, it shimmers in the early morning light. This low maintenance ornamental grass has an upright habit and green arching leaves. Feathery blooms in late summer rise above the foliage, increasing the plant’s height.
Morning Light Ornamental Grass provides shelter for wildlife and attracts birds. It resists deer, provides fall and winter interest and is salt tolerant. Use it as a border plant, in dried flower arrangements and in mass plantings. When in bloom, this grass is 6 ft tall and wide. Plant in part sun to sun. It is ideal in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9.
CrazyBlue Russian Sage – (Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘CrazyBlue’)
CrazyBlue Russian Sage
Summer-lovin’ CrazyBlue Russian Sage produces vibrant, violet flower spikes that start their bloom in late spring. Light green foliage provides the backdrop for the floral stars. Fragrant and lacy, this deciduous perennial is particularly striking when planted in drifts. Use it as an accent plant and landscape beds and borders, as well as in larger containers.
CrazyBlue Russian Sage is easy to grow and care for, although it prefers moderately moist and well-drained soil. Water deeply in its first season until established. In fall, prune to several inches above ground. This perennial plant has a moderate growth rate. It reaches about 18 inches tall and 16 inches wide at maturity. Plant it in full sun, in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9.
Berry Heavy® Winterberry Holly – (Ilex verticillata)
Berry Heavy® Winterberry Holly
Berry Heavy® Winterberry Holly is busy producing ornamental fruits during the warm-weather growing months, although you likely won’t see any signs of its bright red berries until late in the summer or early in the fall. If it’s been properly pollinated (both male and female plants are needed to produce berries), you’ll have an abundance of ornamental fruits through the winter. This holly drops its leaves in late fall and early winter, when it really brings on a show with striking contrast between the bright berries and newly fallen snow.
This shrub provides a warm welcome when planted near a front door or as an anchor in an entryway perennial border, where it can bring height and four-season interest. At maturity, it is between 6 and 8 feet tall and has a similar spread. It is not fussy about growing conditions, performing well in shade and wet soil. It attracts wildlife and birds and resists deer. Plant in part sun to sun, in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9.
Winecraft Gold® Smokebush – (Cotinus coggygria) – Proven Winners Photo
Winecraft Gold® Smokebush
Need a big splash of color in the landscape late in the season? Here’s a shrub that really delivers! Winecraft® Gold Smokebush begins its show in spring with sunny orange foliage that turns gold in early summer and produces clusters of green flowers. But as the season progresses, its foliage matures to bright chartreuse. Green flowers give way to pink, puff-like blooms that blanket the shrub. Definitely a focal point in the landscape, plant Winecraft® Gold Smokebush alone or as an accent shrub near a foundation.
Winecraft® Gold Smokebush blooms on old wood and does not need pruning, although selectively doing so for shaping may be desired. While this smokebush is a bit less cold tolerant than others, it doesn’t mind average soil and a variety of pH categories. Mature height and spread is 6 feet. Plant in part sun to sun, in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8.
Learn About the Loma Vista Nursery Family and Our Landscape Plants
Visit our plant catalog for information about our coneflower selection and other perennial plants, as well as shrubs and trees that are ideal for Midwest landscapes. Loma Vista Nursery’s staff members are experts in the field. We love helping people learn and understand more about plants. To get answers to plant-related questions, send an email to sales@lomavistanursery.com or call (785) 229-7200.
Connect With Us
Stay current on our plant recommendations, growing tips and more by following us on social media.
