By the time August rolls around, many of our decorative annuals, especially those in containers, are looking a little sad and spent. The intense summer sun, sporadic rainfall, and weeks of blooming can take their toll. But the season isn’t over yet! With a quick refresh, you can keep your garden and patio looking vibrant well into fall.
Refreshing your containers not only revives their appearance, it also gives your outdoor spaces a renewed sense of energy. Late-summer planting is the perfect opportunity to swap out tired plants for fresh, colorful blooms that can stand up to the lingering heat and carry your garden right into the cooler months.
Here are some excellent choices for late-summer container planting:
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Marigolds
Bright, cheerful blooms in yellow, orange, and red. Heat-tolerant and happy to keep going well into fall. -
Petunias
Long-blooming and available in a wide range of colors; perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over container edges.
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Zinnias
Bold, colorful, and resilient in heat and drought. Plus, they attract butterflies! -
Celosia
Unique, textured blooms in vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink. -
Begonias
Shade-tolerant with a variety of bloom colors; equally at home in sun or shade.
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Lantana
Clusters of tiny, colorful flowers that thrive in heat and drought. -
Sunflowers
Tall and striking, with dwarf varieties ideal for container drama. -
Asters
Late-blooming, daisy-like flowers in purple, pink, blue, and white for a pop of fall color.
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Coleus
Stunning foliage in endless color combinations; a great way to add texture. -
Verbena
Continuous blooms that trail beautifully over the sides of containers.
Pro tip: When swapping plants, refresh your soil with nutrient-rich Coast of Maine organic soil to give your new blooms the best start. This ensures strong growth, vibrant color, and better resistance to late-summer stress.
We recommend:
Bonus: Many local garden centers are running end-of-season sales right now, making it the perfect time to stock up on new plants and soil!
With just a little effort, your August containers can be every bit as colorful and inviting as they were in spring, only now with a richer, late-summer vibe that carries right into fall.
