Easy Perennials for a Flower-Filled Georgia Summer
Having a beautiful landscape doesn’t have to be a chore. Enjoying colorful blooms from spring through fall is possible. This is especially true since we live in a wonderfully temperate climate here in Georgia. Each of the five plants we’ve listed below are very easy to grow and maintain. What’s better is that they are perennials, so you get to enjoy them year over year. Why not plant a few? Once you see the pretty results, you’ll be glad you did.
Canna Lily
Canna lily is a classic in tropical gardens. Each plant grows to about seven feet tall and two feet wide. The tall stalks have large, multi-petaled, showy flowers at the top. Some plants also have variegated leaves. These beauties prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Black-eyed Susans
More formally known as Rudbeckia Fulgida, this cheerful flower is a great addition to a casual garden bed. It can grow up to three feet tall and looks fantastic when planted in a large grouping. This one is also a favorite of butterflies, so you’ll get double the beauty. Plant it in full sun with well-drained soil.
Phlox
Phlox is another flower much loved by butterflies, and honeybees too. Not only are the flowers gorgeous to look at but they also give off a pleasant scent. On warm, humid evenings they become even more fragrant. Phlox is happiest planted in full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Daylily
Daylilies got their name because each flower only blooms once in a day. Don’t despair, as there are several buds on each stalk, each blooming after another fades. These are excellent perennials for the south because they start to bloom as early as March and continue to produce flowers into late summer. Growing as high as four feet, they are also available in a wide variety of colors. What’s more is that they are relatively drought tolerant, making them maintenance-free.
Lantana
The variety to look for is “Miss Huff,” as it is the hardiest in a Georgia landscape. Happiest in full sun, Lantana will flower from June to October. Once established, it is highly pest, disease and drought resistant. This perennial’s showy orange and pink blooms are ones that butterflies adore.
Need a bit more advice when it comes to gardening in Georgia? Why not join the fun at our next Harbor Club Gardeners Club meeting? Anyone from a master gardener to a novice is welcome. The group is currently strategizing plantings for the new raised beds in our Victory Garden. There’s even been talk of a get-together to sample the harvested garden products, including a possible wine tasting event. Contact Harbor Club today to learn more about the Victory Garden at The Grove, or better yet, visit us for a personalized tour.