August Blossoms: Sowing These 8 Blooms for Stunning Displays Come Spring and Summer
August Planting: Preparing for Spring and Summer Blooms
August is an ideal time for gardeners to prepare for beautiful blooms next spring and summer. By planting flower bulbs, certain perennials, and hardy annual flowers during this month, you can ensure a stunning display in the coming seasons.
Flower Bulbs
Planting fall-planted spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, snowdrops, and crocus in August or early fall is recommended. Daffodils can be planted without chilling, while tulips and hyacinths, which require chilling, are usually planted later in the fall or early winter.
Perennials
Establishing perennials like coreopsis, daylilies, echinacea, hostas, and peonies in late summer can help them establish before cold weather, ensuring a beautiful bloom next year.
Hardy Annual Flowers
Sowing hardy annual flower seeds like poppies, cornflowers, calendula, and nigella in late August can result in a strong early display the following spring. The longer days and warm soil in August help young plants develop roots before winter.
Pansies
Pansies are a cheerful addition to gardens and can be grown in all USDA zones. They prefer well-draining soil enriched with organic matter and should be protected in severe weather. Regular deadheading will ensure a long season of flowers.
Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks make a statement in the summer garden and are perfect for front-yard flowers. They can be grown in USDA zones 3-9 and are heavy feeders, requiring a full-sun spot in rich, fertile soil. They should be fertilized every 6-8 weeks after planting and watered regularly in dry periods.
Calendula
Calendula, or pot marigolds, thrive in poor to average soil in full sun to light shade. They are hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and are edible, with a tangy, peppery flavor. Calendula is a valuable companion plant for vegetables as it attracts many predator insects and serves as a "trap" plant to entice pests away from crops.
Lupines
Lupines are staples of cottage gardens and attract pollinators. They are hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and should be soaked in lukewarm water before planting. Lupines are magnets for pollinators and serve as host plants for the larvae of endangered butterfly species.
Getting Seeds Off to a Good Start
To get seeds off to the best start, consider using a customizable seedling kit. These kits typically include a base tray, an insert, and an innovative lid complete with a drip-irrigation chamber.
Late-Summer Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks are usually sown in late spring to early summer, but a late-summer or early-fall sowing still gives plants time to develop in time for a show of flowers the following summer.
Incorporate home-and-garden activities into your lifestyle by planting flower bulbs, such as daffodils, snowdrops, and crocus, during August or early fall for a beautiful spring display (Flower Bulbs). Furthermore, sowing hardy annual flowers like poppies, cornflowers, calendula, and nigella in late August can lead to a vibrant home garden in the spring (Hardy Annual Flowers).
