When the humidity climbs up and the sun scorches your patio this summer, the “cool season flowers” like pansies and violas will probably throw in the towel. In mid-July you will feel the weight of the long summer heat settle over the Triad. To keep your garden looking colorful from June through the hot months that follow, you will want plants that don’t just survive the heat but thrive in it. Here are five favorites that I used in my own containers this year to keep the ‘living colors’ alive and well.
Angelonia
If you’re looking for a plant that stands tall when everything else is wilting, meet the ‘Summer Snapdragon’. Angelonia is what growers call a “thriller”, as it provides the vertical space every pot needs. Its stalks are covered in tiny, orchid-like blooms. This plant also has fragrant foliage.
Angelonia thrives in the baking sun, once its roots are established, it’s reliably drought-tolerant. Which means you aren’t going to need to water it with the garden hose every hour of the day. It’s a sturdy, reliable choice for a summer container arrangement.
Salvia
Every good container needs a bit of height, and Salvia brings the height too. The deep blues and vibrant reds of these tubular flowers are like a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies.
The pollinators that stop by your place for a snack are the same ones that visit the herb, fruit, and vegetable beds. By giving them a refueling station in your backyard, you’re helping the local ecosystem. It’s a wonderful tall feature to add to the container.
Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)
Annual Vinca is the ultimate “filler” for a summer pot. They have these thick, waxy leaves that feel almost like smooth leather. That “waxiness” isn’t just for show, it’s actually a natural shield that prevents moisture from escaping, making them one of the most heat-hardy plants we can grow in our zone.
Vinca can act as a “living mulch.” When planted densely, their foliage shades the soil in the pot, keeping the root zone cooler and reducing evaporation. They come in solid whites, red, purples, and pinks that stay bright even under a harsh summer afternoon.
Calibrachoa
Commonly known as “Million Bells,” these look like miniature petunias, but they are actually much tougher than their cousins. They are the “spillers” of the group, growing over the edges of your containers with a waterfall of color.
The texture of Calibrachoa is delicate and soft, almost like velvet. They are heavy feeders, but they reward you with a sheer volume of blooms that can make a single pot look like a professional centerpiece. When you group them with Vinca and Angelonia, you’re creating a “full sun” community. They all share the same love for bright light and well-drained soil, so you won’t have one plant drowning while the other is parched.
Silver Falls (Dichondra)
For a touch of something whimsical, you can’t beat Silver Falls. This isn’t a flowering plant but its vines and fan-shaped leaves look like a cascade of flowing silver. It provides a visual break from the color and texture of other summer annuals.
Silver Falls trails long and low and can add a look of controlled yet “wild” or “unruly” growing behavior.
Little Sunshine (Mercadonia)
Quickly becoming a favorite for summer pots because it’s tough despite its dainty looks. It grows in a dense, low mat—almost like a moss made of tiny, emerald-green leaves exploding with hundreds of bright yellow flowers.
It’s “self-cleaning,” which is just our way of saying you never have to deadhead the flowers; it just keeps on rolling through the summer heat. It’s a rugged choice, growing in a thick matted layer in the container and provides a steady growing habit through the heat.
Growing Together
When we choose plants that are suited for our season and climate, we’re doing more than just decorating; we’re helping the environment too.
A well-planned container garden can save you from watering, feeds the bees, and gives visitors a reason to slow down and say “hello” as they pass by.
If you’re feeling unsure about which colors to mix or how to pot them up, stop by and see us at Mitchell’s Nursery. We’ll help you find the right match for your sun exposure so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the summer activities.