August Blooms: Eight Flower Varieties for Stunning Late Summer and Autumn Hues
Late Fall Blooms: A Guide to August Flower Planting
August is the perfect time to start planting a variety of flowers that will bloom into the fall, bringing vibrant colours and fragrances to your garden as other ornamentals begin to fade. Here are some fast-growing and hardy flower seeds to consider for your August planting:
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Quick to germinate and bloom, calendula thrives when sown in late summer and can flower into fall. Known for their bright, orange-yellow blooms, they are an excellent choice for adding a pop of colour to your garden.
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Another fast-grower suitable for August sowing, cosmos produce colorful flowers that last into fall. With their delicate, feathery petals, they are a beautiful addition to any garden.
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
An annual known for rapid growth and late-season blooms, cornflowers work well when seeded in August. Their deep blue flowers are a classic addition to any garden, and they are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies.
Goldenrod (Solidago)
A hardy perennial native to North America, goldenrod blooms in late summer and fall, remaining tall and showy. It is tough down to USDA zone 3 and valuable for pollinators like hummingbirds.
Asters (e.g., New England Asters, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
These perennials bloom from late summer well into fall and are hardy down to zone 4. They provide late-season nectar and color, making them an excellent choice for extending the blooming season in your garden.
Coreopsis
A hardy perennial that can be planted in August to develop roots by fall and bloom vigorously the following spring, with some blooming late into fall under ideal conditions. Coreopsis comes in a variety of colours, from bright yellows to deep reds, and their daisy-like flowers are a welcome addition to any garden.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Heat-tolerant and drought-resistant, purple coneflower established from August planting roots well in warm soil and often blooms late into the season and next year. Their large, cone-shaped flowers are a favourite among pollinators, and they add a dramatic touch to any garden.
For a more vibrant display, consider planting 'Giant Imperial Mixed' stock seeds from Seeds4Planting, available from Amazon. These seeds provide a splash of rainbow color, with their flowers coming in a variety of shades.
When choosing flowers for August planting, it's important to select hardy, drought-tolerant, and quick-maturing varieties that can withstand cooler temperatures as fall approaches. Frequent watering of seedlings in the heat of late summer is also essential. Happy planting!
August planting offers an opportunity to enhance your lifestyle and home-and-garden aesthetic with fast-growing, hardy flowers like calendula, cosmos, cornflower, goldenrod, asters, coreopsis, and purple coneflower. These flowers will bloom into the fall, providing vibrant colors and fragrances, even as other ornamentals begin to fade.
