Petunia Hedgiflora

Above: ground-cover petunias of the (silver) tidal wave variety.

One of the most popular annual plants, petunias exude a nice perfume and are often considered a staple of American gardening, from hanging baskets (grandiflora) to populating considerable swaths of hillside or lawn (hedgiflora). Many color varieties exist as well, and petunias (when provided ample sunlight and planted in soil that drains moderately well) often bloom from after frost until the end of the summer, making them extremely easy to grow and cultivate.

End-of-Summer Blooms

Most of our favorite summertime perennials bloom from the end of May through early-mid July, but there are some which hold off until August or even September. A few of my late-blooming favorites are phlox, asters, and mums; and if we were to include annuals, I might add morning glory, verbena, and Mexican sage. We have much to anticipate with the coming of Autumn and cooler weather, and I am happy that some of my most beloved flowers are included.

Pink phlox, taken by Doug Green