7 Must-Have Plants For Late Summer Color That Won’t Quit

Is your garden feeling the heat this summer? Don't sweat it. These seven plants love the sun and thrive in hot, dry spots, bringing bold color when other flowers start to fade. Hi, I'm Amy from Gardening Know-How, and today I'm sharing our top seven heat-loving heroes for the garden. And stick around until the end, because I'll reveal my personal favorite from the list, one that not only looks amazing, but can also be beneficial in other ways, especially if you grow vegetables. First up is the butterflyweed. This tough native perennial loves the heat. It's not bothered one bit by scorching sun, high humidity, or dry soil. In fact, it thrives in it, blooming on and off all summer long with vibrant, fiery orange flower clusters. And it's not just pretty. Butterflyweed is a host plant for monarch butterflies, plus its nectar-rich blooms draw in other garden friends such as bees and hummingbirds. Coming in at number two, catmint is a sun-loving superstar that's as tough as it is beautiful. With its soft gray-green foliage and waves of lilac purple blooms, this plant brings a touch of fragrance to the hottest, driest corners of your garden. It blooms from late spring until early summer, and here's the secret to keep the show going. Prune it back hard right after the first flush of flowers fade. This will encourage new growth and a new set of blooms. Plus, just like the other, pollinators love it, but deer and rabbits usually stay away. Another plant that brings vibrant color and attracts plenty of pollinators is agastache, also known as hummingbird mint or hyssop. This U.S. native produces tall, airy flower spikes in a rainbow of shades, each one packed with nectar that beneficial insects can't resist. It blooms throughout most of the summer, staying strong even when the heat is relentless and rainfall is scarce. Just be sure to plant this one in well-drained soil, especially for winter since it doesn't tolerate wet feet. Number four on our list is the coneflower. This is by far one of the most popular flowering perennials, and for good reason. From native species to new hybrids in a wide array of colors, these mid-summer to fall bloomers are easy to grow, drought tolerant, and attract pollinators with their nectar, as well as birds with their seed heads. These flowers don't fade when the heat is on. In fact, they shine brighter, bringing fresh color to the landscape. Yarrow is another low-maintenance perennial for hot, dry spots. Even though it may look delicate, this one is as tough as they come. The colorful, flat-topped blooms on tall, upright stems stand out beautifully in the garden. They're also a great choice for fresh-cut or dried floral arrangements, attracting bees and butterflies while resisting deer and rabbits, making them a versatile pick for any gardener. Number six is spotted bee balm, a North American native known for its uniquely stacked petals and contrasting burgundy bracts that can last well into fall. Unlike other bee balms with their bold colors, this eccentric beauty stands out in its own way. It's drought tolerant, thrives in full sun, and like its cousins, it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Last but not least, number seven, one of my all-time favorite perennials, allium. While they're in the same family, these aren't the large, spring-blooming alliums you see alongside tulips in the spring. Instead, these clumping perennials grow 10 to 20 inches tall and put on a late-summer show with hundreds of purple, lollipop-like flowers. The variety I'm showing here is called Millennium, but others like Lavender Bubbles and Serendipity are also just as stunning. What makes these a personal favorite is not only their vibrant late-summer color, but also the sheer number of pollinators they attract. I've never seen more per square inch on any other plant. I've started planting them near my vegetable garden to encourage pollinators to stop by and help transfer pollen, which hopefully keeps my harvest going longer. So that wraps up our list of heat-loving heroes. Now that you see my list, I want to hear from you. So which one of these plants is already thriving in your garden, or which one are you planning to try next? Share in the comments below. Thanks for watching, and happy gardening!