Stunning colour palettes for summer gardens

What are the colours for the summer garden? If we take a lead from international trendsetters, like the Chelsea Flower Show and Pantone, it seems the colour scheme for summer is mostly shades of blue, purple, pink-mauve and white with an energising splash of yellow.

There is a huge variety of flowering annuals and perennials in these soft and dreamy colours.

Before rushing to the garden centre, take a walk around the garden. See what’s coming to an end, where colour is needed, and which areas you would like to freshen up. You will be spoilt for choice, so make a list before going shopping!

Knockout colour

Alstroemeria “Indian Summer” is a hybrid with vivid orange and yellow flowers that contrast with its dark green, almost black leaves. It grows 60cm high and wide, remaining compact and dense, unlike the older varieties that tend to fall over and need staking.

To keep the flowers coming, remove dead flowering stems by pulling each stem from near the base. That leaves plenty of room for a new stem to come through.

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Other knockout colour comes in the form of novel petunias “Night Sky” and “Ink Splash” which are both purple-blue petunias with white splashes. There is also “Baby Doll” which is pink with white flecks.

Petunias thrive in early summer when it is hot and dry. They are drought-tolerant, water-wise and need very little attention.

True blue

Salvia “Mystic Spires” is a longlived perennial producing true blue flowers throughout summer and is about 45cm high (knee height) when in flower. The plant is sturdy, compact and round, with dark green leaves. Like all salvia it should not be over watered but rather receive regular, deep watering. In the garden it should be spaced about 25cm apart.

An unusual salvia is Salvia guarantica “Black and Bloom” that has vivid, dark blue flowers emerging from black calyces. This shrubby perennial salvia, which grows 1.2m high and wide, handles the heat, humidity, and drought.

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Its flowers attract nectar lovers, and deadheading is not necessary although pinching off spent blooms produces a bushier plant. Grow it in full sun, in compost-enriched soil that drains well. Once established it is water-wise and will flower until the first frost. It comes back into flower in spring.

Delightful daisies

Gazanias (G rigens or G splendens) are drought-tolerant, needing full sun to flower well and free-draining soil. Hybrids like “New Day” have large showy flowers, often with striped petals, and green or silver foliage. They combine well with succulents.

Osteospermum is at its best in spring and a new introduction is Serenity “Blushing Beauty”. The vivid golden-yellow blooms with pink eye smother the neat, compact plants. It is a showy border plant that pairs beautifully with Osteospermum Serenity “Blue Eyed Beauty”. Once plants are established, they need less water.

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Brachyscome “Fresco Candy” is a large-flowered low-growing daisy from Australia. The 15cm high plants spread by 30cm, good for edging a bed, in containers, or hanging baskets. The bright pink flowers stand out in mixed plantings.

For bees and butterflies

Bidens “Bee Alive” is a perennial with daisy-like flowers that have orange petals with a large, yellow sunny centre. Plants are bushy, only 20cm high, and flower continuously, even in the hottest months. They attract bees and butterflies.

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Scabiosa “Butterfly Blue” is a perennial that flowers from spring to autumn. The lightly fragrant plants attract butterflies and can be planted in full sun or partial shade. Grow in well drained, light fertile soil and don’t over-water in winter.

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