If you are looking for perennials that will produce colorful blooms early in the growing season, consider these 5 blooming flowers for early summer. As perennials, you only have to plant them once and they will return for many years in all their colorful glory.
Get the floral color started in early summer and save yourself time and money by planting some (or all) of these 5 easy-care perennial plants in your home landscape.
Amaryllis
This is one of the easiest plants to grow from a bulb. The large blooms produced by amaryllis bulbs are breath-taking and can be grown indoors or outdoors. Good soil, regular watering, bright light, and a little support to keep the tall stalks upright are all that are needed to enjoy amaryllis blooms in early summer.
When planting in a container, select a heavy container to prevent the top-heavy plant from tipping over. Plant the bulb, pointed-end-up, in good quality potting soil. Pack the soil gently around all sides of the bulb but leave one-third of the bulb above the soil line.
Place the container in a location that receives bright, indirect light. Water sparingly until the bulb develops 2-inches (5 cm) of new growth, then begin a regular watering routine that will keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Turn the container a quarter turn every 3-4 days to encourage the flower stalks to grow straight.
Amaryllis bulbs can be planted indoors any time of the year. Expect flowers in 6-8 weeks after planting.
When planting amaryllis bulbs outdoors, select a bright location that is not in direct sunlight. Wait until mid-spring to plant the bulbs so you will have early summer amaryllis blooms.
Plant the same way outdoors as described for indoor planting.
Flower buds will appear at the top of each stalk in 6-8 weeks and the dramatic blooms will last about 2-weeks.
Clematis
This attractive flowering vine requires cool, moist, well-drained soil and grows well in either full sun or partial shade. Note that the roots of clematis grow close to the soil surface, if the roots get too hot during the summer or the soil dries out too often, the vine will not bloom. If the soil stays wet and soggy for too long, the same thing will occur.
Work plenty of compost into the soil before planting to keep the soil draining well and add 4-inches (10 cm) of organic mulch around the base of the vine to protect the shallow roots from the summer heat.
Clematis will bloom from early summer until early fall/autumn. Deadhead spent blooms to keep the vine producing abundantly.
Columbine
This easy-care perennial will bloom most of the year, and the multi-colored blooms attract hummingbirds.
Columbines are not picky about the soil conditions, but they dislike the intense direct afternoon sun in summer. Plant these summer blooming perennials in a location that provides afternoon shade. Add a 2-inch (5 cm) layer of organic mulch around the base to help keep the soil cool.
Columbines started from seeds will not bloom until the second year, so if you want early summer blooms this year, start with plants.
Water plants weekly, feed monthly, and deadhead regularly to keep the plant blooming steadily all summer.
Iris
Many varieties of bearded iris will bloom from early spring until the summer heat become too much for them. Iris are started from rhyzomes and are best planted in the late fall/autumn because they will go dormant during the summer.
Plant in full sun with about 12-inches (30 cm) between rhizomes. Dig a 4-inch (10 cm) deep trench for planting rhizomes and leave part of the rhizome and the foliage uncovered at planting time.
Irises spread via the underground rhizomes and will need to be dug up and separated every 3-5 years. Don’t mulch irises – it will cause the plant roots to rot.
Fertilize once in the early spring and provide support to the tall-growing plants to keep the stems growing upright. When the bloom fades, cut the stem but NOT the foliage down to the ground. The foliage is needed for photosynthesis for next year’s growth.
Roses
This fragrant garden favorite will produce an abundance of blooms from early summer until the first killing frost of fall. There’s a multitude of rose varieties to select from – climbing, miniature, floribunda, once-blooming, tea rose, single-petal, double-petal, and on and on. Read the label carefully before purchasing a rose bush to ensure you’re getting the variety you want.
Plant roses in the early spring in fertile soil and full sun. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Add a 2-inch (5 cm) layer of organic mulch around the rose to retain moisture. Feed roses monthly, deadhead spent blooms, and inspect foliage for signs of aphids every few days.
Blast visible aphids off foliage with a water hose and spray entire rose bush with an organic pesticide.
How To Store Bulbs After Flowering
