As summer arrives in full swing, gardens burst into life with a dazzling array of vibrant, sun-loving plants. From bold blooms to lush foliage, the summer season offers an abundance of botanical beauty perfect for creating a stunning, thriving garden.
PERENNIAL FLOWER: Herbaceous peony. These perennials excel when planted in full sun to partial shade, and when they're established, they are astoundingly long lived with some varieties living over 100 years. I can attest to their longevity as at my previous home there were peonies planted years before I moved in that were still blooming 42 years later when I moved away. These perennials are generally shipped in pots or as bare root tubers and should be planted in the fall, in an area that will receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. Peonies are sun lovers, although they may appreciate a little protection from the afternoon sun in the Central Valley. A well-drained, slightly acidic soil works for their success. If your garden features heavy clay, amend it with compost or a bit of loam to combat alkalinity and pooling water. Herbaceous peonies grow 2 or 3 feet tall with a spread of 2 to 4 feet and are very low maintenance. The photo below is of a Duchesse de Nemours herbaceous peony planted about 4 years ago and blooming in my yard.
HERB: Cinnamon basil (Ocimum basilicum). The term "cinnamon basil" can refer to a number of different varieties of basil, which is a bit confusing. Cinnamon basil is also known as Mexican spice basil and has a spicy, fragrant aroma and flavor. True cinnamon basil contains methylcinnamate, giving it a flavor reminiscent of cinnamon. Cinnamon basil has narrow, slightly serrated, dark green, shiny leaves with reddish-purple veins. It produces small, pink to purplish flowers from July to September. Cinnamon basil grows to 18 to 30 inches tall. It is easy to grow, requiring 6 to 8 hours of bright sunlight per day. Although it is often grown as an annual, it is a perennial in our zone 9. Cinnamon basil is sometimes planted near tomatoes and roses to discourage pests such as whiteflies. It is used in teas and baked goods such as cookies and pies. It is also used in pastas, salads, jellies, and vinegars. Cinnamon basil can be used in dried arrangements and as a potpourri.
PERENNIAL SHRUB: Weigela is a shrub from Asia whose name is pronounced “why-gee-la.”Weigela comes in three colors: white, pink, and red. However, as the blooms of the white version age, they fade to pink, creating a layered multi-color show, as seen in the photo below of one I planted a few years ago.Weigela is deer resistant and attracts butterflies. Its arching, loose growth habit looks good in almost any garden. It is tolerant of shade.Weigela is an upright plant that can grow to 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Bloom time is in spring here. Mine was done blooming before May 1. However, plant breeders have been busy creating long-blooming Weigela such as Sonic Bloom®, which blooms heavily in the spring and continues to bloom from summer though the fall. It is a very dense shrub, approximately 5 feet high and 5 feet wide, with brilliant rosy pink blooms amid the dark green foliage.
