August is prime time for taking a holiday and relaxing, and what better place to do so than in the garden, especially as lots of late flowering plants are now bursting into colour, many bright shades of orange, yellow and red, and here’s ten of the best available this month:
1. Canna ‘Louise Cayeux’ (Canna)
Cannas add a tropical vibe to a garden. ‘Louis Cayeux’ is a great choice for the smaller garden with its neat shape. Its handsome, broad green leaves and large, orchid-like, deep salmon-pink flowers, are produced continuously until October. Since canna are tender, they should be dug up before the first frosts to be stored over winter. Aim to do so in a cool, dry, frost-free environment.
- Flowers from July to October
- Tender
- Grows to 115cm tall and 50cm wide
- Rich, moist but well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Sheltered
2. Hydrangea arborescens ‘Invincibelle Spirit’ (Pink Annabelle Hydrangea)
This is a pink flowered cultivar deriving from the infamous, large flowered ‘Annabelle’. It produces large flower heads which change from bright to soft pink as the flowers age. It’s very hardy once established and is happy growing in full sun as well as part shade.
- Flowers from July to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 120cm tall and 120cm wide
- Rich, moist but well-drained soil
- Full sun to part shade
- Exposed
3. Clematis ‘Princess Diana’ (Clematis)
This late-flowering clematis bears beautiful, bright pink, trumpet-shaped flowers right the way through ’til October. And accompanies a mature climbing rose perfectly, where the clematis can scramble in and out of the rose’s stems. Prune in spring before it bursts into growth again. Cut back all of the previous year’s stems to a pair of healthy buds to around 20cm above ground level.
- Flowers from July to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 250cm tall and 100cm wide
- Rich, moist but well-drained soil
- Full sun or part shade
- Exposed
4. Lilium candidum (Madonna Lily)
This is one of the best lilies for scent, height and beauty in August gardens. It produces multi-headed, large, white, flowers with a delicious fragrance. Plus, unlike its tropical looks, is fully hardy in a sheltered spot, and free-draining soil, so should return yearly. Simply cut back the stems in the autumn and leave the bulbs in the ground.
- Flowers from July to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 150cm tall and 50cm wide
- Rich, moist but well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Sheltered
5. Dahlia ‘Annika’ (Dahlia)
Dahlias are undoubtedly some of the best plants for producing masses of bright flowers from now until the first frosts. Although the many different varieties of double-flowers look spectacular, spare a thought for pollinating insects. They require single-flowered varieties to access much-needed nectar and pollen. ‘Annika’ is a shorter cultivar which looks good planted towards the front of the border. It delights for months on end with its bright pink flowers and is much loved by butterflies and bees.
- Flowers from July to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 45cm tall and 30cm wide
- Rich, moist but well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
6. Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’ (Michaelmas daisy)
This is one of the earliest asters to start flowering. ‘Monch’ delights with numerous, gently arching stems covered in lavender flowers for weeks on end. It’s also extremely healthy and does not need staking.
- Flowers from July to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 70cm tall and 40cm wide
- Rich, moist but well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
7. Monarda ‘Fireball’ (Bergamot)
Bergamot leaves have an uplifting, aromatic scent for August gardens. Oil extracted from the plant is used to add its lovely distinctive smell to Earl Grey tea. ‘Fireball’ produces masses of whorled, scarlet flowers from now until early autumn. It’s compact and looks particularly good planted in drifts towards the front of the border.
- Flowers from July to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 60cm tall and 40cm wide
- Rich, moist but well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
8. Catalpa bignoides ‘Aurea’ (Indean Bean Tree)
This beautiful tree features spreading branches and massive, bright yellow heart-shaped leaves. In mid-to-late summer, long panicles of beautiful scented, white flowers appear, usually followed by narrow, long bean pods. Indian bean trees look particularly good when grown as a specimen on a lawn.
- Flowers from July to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 10m tall and 8m wide
- Rich, moist but well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
9. Kniphofia ‘Nancy’s Red’ (Red hot poker)
Red hot pokers come into their own during the high summer months. Many produce upright flowers spikes in shades of bright orange and red and arching clumps of long, narrow leaves. ‘Nancy’s Red’ produces bright red flowers for weeks and looks great alongside tropical plants like canna and banana (Musa basjoo).
- Flowers from June to October
- Hardy,
- Grows to 70cm tall and 60cm wide
- Rich, moist but well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
10. Coreopsis verticillata ‘Bengal Tiger’ (Tickseed)
Coreopsis are easy-to-grow, long flowering, colourful plants that look good in borders, containers or hanging baskets. ‘Bengal Tiger’ produces striking bicoloured flowers in red and yellow said to look like tiger eyes. Little care is needed once established, besides regular deadheading to promote continued production of flowers up to the first frosts. If growing in containers and hanging baskets feed fortnightly with a high potassium liquid fertiliser. For example, tomato food is a great option, and water regularly to ensure the compost stays evenly moist.
- Flowers from June to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 50cm tall and 50cm wide
- Well-drained, light soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
Make sure your August gardens are looking inviting with some welcome colour with the warming summer weather.
Find out the best veg to grow this month:
Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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