Perennial standouts for heat and drought in a late-season garden
Drought conditions , high temperature , and humidness make August in the Mid - Atlantic a tough time to be a gardener . The garden is looking a little crispy no matter how much you water , and many of us would rather be relax at the beach . Not to care , though ; the versatility of these plants will make the dog days of summer in the garden a slight more bearable .
‘Twilight’ big-leaved aster
Eurybia×herveyi , Zones 3–9
This large - leave native aster begins blooming in August , a little to begin with than most aster . The vivacious purplish blossom model atop beautifully fork , sturdy stems that grow to about 3 feet marvelous , attract butterfly and other pollinators . extensive leaves do n’t squinch in the summertime heat . Partial tone is ideal , but it can tolerate full sun .
‘Blonde Ambition’ blue grama grass
Bouteloua gracilis‘Blonde Ambition ’ , Zones 4–9
Typically found in the tough , jumpy site of prairie , plain , and edges of railway in the Midwest , this warm - weather Gunter Wilhelm Grass appear astonishing in the Mid - Atlantic summertime garden . ticklish blonde inflorescences oscillate over a dense hill of blue - green grass . This works will ultimately accomplish 2.5 to 3 feet tall . The seed headland will appease on well into fall and winter , giving the garden an extra season of pastime .
Appalachian mountain mint
Pycanthemum flexuosum , Zones 5–8
This workhorse looks soft from a distance but is one rugged native . Planted en masse , the billowy flowers of Appalachian quite a little mint candy wait like a silvery swarm in the garden . Its slow - propagate roots are a grand soil stabiliser , so plant it along a camber or gradient . Deer will not care the minty fragrance of this plant , but gray hairstreak butterfly stroke larva ( Strymon melinus ) will , as it is a host industrial plant for this pollinator . It will reach 2 to 3 feet gamey .
Lesser calamint
Calamintha nepetassp.nepeta , Zones 4–9
Although another mint family member , this long - blooming works ( June - September ) has a dramatically different look than Appalachian mountain tidy sum , staying put at about 12 to 18 inches eminent . This is a Mediterranean region aboriginal , and the bright green , shaggy-coated foliation and delicate purple flowers do not fade in the heat of August but or else give the plant adequate air circulation to prevent powdery mould .
‘Peachie’s Pick’ Stokes’ aster
Stokesia laevis‘Peachie ’s Pick ’ , zone 5–9
When most Stokes ’ asters have already wind up flowering , this intensely purple selection is still going strong . During the growing season it is resistant of both wet and dry soils , but this Southeastern native does not do well in soused winter ground , as the roots will rot . cony and cervid loosely leave it alone , but it will pull butterfly stroke and other pollinators . This Stokes ’ aster will only reach 12 to 18 column inch in superlative .
Since many industrial plant in belated summer can appear a little dull , look for those like these that are tough , drouth resistant , and , most of all , continue to reckon great while everything else in the garden is quick to shine at peace .
— Michele Christiano is a horticulture help at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square , Pennsylvania .
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‘Peachie’s Pick’ is a low-growing, late-blooming Stokes’ aster that can handle the worst August has to offer.Photo: Michele Christiano
Complementary colors of purple and yellow grab and focus your attention to these beautiful, small flowers.Photo: Michele Christiano
‘Blonde Ambition’ blue grama grass is beloved for its long-lasting, golden seedheads that grow horizontally.Photo: Michele Christiano
Appalachian mountain mint has spreading roots that will slowly take over an area.Photo: Michele Christiano
This low-growing yet bushy swath of lesser calamint will cover the foliage of these ‘Joan Senior’ daylilies (Hemerocallis‘Joan Senior’, Zones 4–11) as they begin to fade.Photo: Michele Christiano
Despite a cultivar name that suggests peach-colored flowers, ‘Peachie’s Pick’ Stokes’ aster has small, periwinkle-colored blooms that can reach up to 3 inches wide.Photo: Michele Christiano
