In this guide, we’ll explore a variety of late summer flowers that thrive in pots, providing tips on their care and the benefits of each.
Geraniums
Geraniums are stalwarts of container gardening, providing a robust display of color that lasts well into the fall. These flowers come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, white, and lavender, making them a versatile choice for any pot. Their sprawling growth habit adds volume and fullness to arrangements.
The secret to their success in pots is adequate drainage and a well-balanced potting mix. With regular deadheading, you can keep their blooms coming throughout the season. Geraniums thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, making them adaptable to various locations. Not only do they bring beauty, but they also repel pests like deer and rabbits due to their scent.
Petunias
Petunias are a fan favorite for a reason—they are easy to grow and blossom in a riot of colors and patterns. You can find them in traditional solid hues, as well as stunning bicolors and stripes. These flowers perform best in full sun, where they can soak up the warm rays and produce an abundance of vivid blooms.
For container planting, consider combining trailing petunias with upright varieties for a cascading effect. They love moisture but can suffer from root rot, so ensure pots have adequate drainage. A regular watering schedule combined with a balanced fertilizer will keep these beauties healthy and thriving, illuminating your late summer garden.
Calibrachoa
Often referred to as “Million Bells,” Calibrachoa offers a delightful miniature version of petunias, producing an enchanting carpet of tiny flowers that add a cheerful pop to your pots. They bloom profusely from spring until frost, making them a perfect candidate for late summer planting.
Calibrachoa prefers well-draining soil and does not require deadheading, unlike their petunia cousins. They are ideal for hanging baskets and mixed containers, where their trailing habit can drape gracefully over the edges. A sunny location will help these little charms reach their fullest potential, bringing radiance to any outdoor area.
Lantana
Lantana thrives in the heat of late summer, showcasing vibrant clusters of flowers that attract butterflies and pollinators. With shades ranging from yellow and orange to pink and purple, this perennial is perfect for pots and can handle some neglect, making it suitable for busy gardeners.
Lantana thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soil. It’s drought-resistant and can withstand some dry spells, but regular watering will promote more blooms. Additionally, it’s a low-maintenance plant that requires little fuss, allowing gardeners to enjoy its beauty without constant attention.
Begonias
Begonias are perfect companions for shady spots or areas that receive dappled sunlight. They boast lush foliage and stunning flower colors, including reds, whites, and pinks. Their adaptable nature allows them to thrive in pots, providing an elegant touch to your late-summer garden.
Container gardeners should opt for the tuberous or fibrous-rooted varieties for the most vibrant blooms. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent root rot. Regularly removing spent flowers will keep your begonias blooming beautifully throughout the season, keeping your pots looking fresh and lively.
Coleus
While coleus is primarily cherished for its stunning foliage rather than flowers, late summer is often when they showcase their spectacular colors. Ranging from deep purples and reds to bright yellows and greens, coleus plants can add dimension and contrast to any pot arrangement.
Coleus thrives in partial shade to full sun, depending on the variety. They prefer moist, well-draining soil and should be pinched back occasionally to encourage bushier growth. Their vibrant foliage can serve as the perfect backdrop for other late-summer bloomers, providing a unique textural addition to your container garden.
Marigolds
Marigolds are staples in summer gardens, known for their vibrant orange and yellow hues. These cheerful flowers are often celebrated for their pest-repelling properties, making them a great companion plant for vegetable gardens and other flowers. When planted in pots, marigolds continue to shine well into late summer.
Marigolds thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant but will benefit from regular watering. With minimal maintenance, such as deadheading, marigolds can flower from spring to frost. Their bright blooms can energize any container display, attracting bees and beneficial insects to your garden.
Salvia
Salvia, with its spiky blooms and aromatic foliage, is a charming addition to late-summer pots. Available in various colors, including blue, purple, and red, these flowers are loved for their ability to attract hummingbirds and pollinators.
Salvia prefers sunny locations and well-draining soil. They are drought-tolerant once established and make excellent choices for mixed containers. Regular deadheading encourages continued blooms, extending their color display into the fall. Plus, their tall stature can provide a vertical element to your pot arrangements.
Impatiens
If you’re looking for reliable late-summer blooms for shady areas, impatiens are your go-to option. With their soft, colorful petals appearing in shades of pink, red, and white, these flowers can enliven dull corners and provide a lush backdrop for other plants.
Impatiens thrive in moist, well-draining soil and prefer bright, indirect light. Keep an eye on their water needs, especially during hot spells, as they can wilt without enough moisture. Their ongoing blooms make them a beloved choice, enhancing the charm of container gardens into late summer.
Gazania
Gazania’s vibrant blooms resemble daisies and come in a wide range of captivating colors. These flowers are heat- and drought-tolerant, making them well-suited for late summer when other plants may be struggling to keep up.
Gazania prefers full sun and thrives in well-draining soil. They are low-maintenance and resistant to heat, which means they can take on the late summer sun beautifully. Their unique flowers close in bad weather and open in the sunshine, providing an interactive element to your garden pots.
Zinnias
Zinnias are a burst of joy in any late-summer garden, bringing bold, bright colors that can uplift any space. They are versatile in various garden settings, and their resilience to heat makes them an excellent choice for pots.
Zinnias thrive in full sun and can adapt to a variety of soil types, as long as they have good drainage. Regular deadheading will encourage more flowers and prolong the blooming season. They attract butterflies, enhancing the overall beauty of your garden and making them a lively addition to any container display.
Fuchsia
Fuchsia is the epitome of elegance, with its unique drooping flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. These beauties prefer shadier spots, making them perfect for protected areas that receive indirect sunlight.
To keep fuchsias thriving in pots, ensure they have moist, well-draining soil. Frequent watering and regular fertilization can encourage continuous blooms. Their trailing habit pairs beautifully with other plants in hanging baskets or mixed containers, providing an artistic flair to your late-summer arrangements.
Bacopa
Bacopa is a charming little flower appreciated for its dainty, cascading blooms. Available in white, pink, and blue, this flower can soften the edges of your pots beautifully, bringing a whimsical touch to your late-summer garden.
These trailing plants love moist conditions and prefer partial to full sun. Regular watering will help them thrive, especially in containers where soil can dry out quickly. Bacopa is perfect for hanging baskets or as a filler in larger planters, effortlessly filling your outdoor spaces with color.
Verbena
Vibrant and resilient, verbena adds a beautiful splash of color to late summer flower pots. With its clusters of blooms in red, purple, pink, and white, verbena can create a striking visual impact in any container.
Verbena prefers full sun and thrives in well-draining soil. They are drought-tolerant and require minimal maintenance, making them a wonderful option for busy gardeners. Regular deadheading can encourage prolonged blooming, ensuring vibrant colors last into the fall.
Ornamental Peppers
Ornamental peppers are a unique choice for late summer pots, adding not only color but also visual intrigue with their glossy fruits. Varieties come in vibrant shades of red, orange, and purple, delivering an eye-catching display.
These plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. While the fruits are technically edible, they can be quite spicy, so it’s best to appreciate them for their beauty rather than their culinary use. Ornamental peppers thrive throughout the summer and fall, making them a long-lasting addition to your container garden.
Dusty Miller
Dusty Miller may not be a flowering plant in the traditional sense, but its silvery foliage provides a stunning contrast to colorful blooms in late summer pots. Its unique texture and color can accentuate other plants and create a striking visual interest.
This plant thrives best in full sun and well-drained soil. Its drought-tolerant nature makes it perfect for container gardening, where watering may fluctuate. Use dusty miller as a focal point or filler in your pots, and enjoy its soft, silvery leaves alongside your vibrant flowers.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are delightful and easy-to-grow flowers that produce both edible blooms and leaves. Their vibrant colors, including orange, yellow, and red, can brighten any pot. This plant is great for both aesthetic beauty and culinary use, as the leaves and flowers can add a peppery kick to salads.
Nasturtiums prefer well-draining soil and full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. They thrive in containers and help attract beneficial insects. Their trailing nature can add a cascading effect to pots, making them an engaging choice for late-summer gardening.
Lobelia
Lobelia is a spectacular choice for hanging baskets or as a filler in pot arrangements, boasting lovely trailing blooms in shades of blue, purple, or white. This plant adds a charming touch, bringing a pop of color to late-summer displays.
Lobelia thrives in cooler weather and benefits from partial shade to full sun. It prefers consistently moist soil, making it essential to keep an eye on watering. Regular pruning will help maintain its shape and encourage continuous growth, providing a cascade of blooms throughout the summer.
African Daisy
Seemingly straight out of a sunny savanna, African daisies bring a unique flair to late-summer pots. Their vibrant, daisy-like flowers come in various eye-catching colors, drawing admiration from anyone who passes by.
These plants flourish in full sun and prefer well-draining soil, which helps to prevent root rot. Minimal maintenance is required, although regular deadheading can keep their blooms vibrant. With their long flowering period, African daisies can elevate your late summer garden’s aesthetic appeal.
Kangaroo Paw
Kangaroo paw is a unique and exotic-looking flower that boasts tubular blossoms resembling the paws of kangaroos, hence its name. These hardy plants come in striking colors, including reds, yellows, and greens, adding a touch of intrigue to your outdoor spaces.
Preferring full sun and well-drained soil, kangaroo paw is drought-resistant, making it a great option for pots that may not receive frequent watering. Their distinctive blooms attract birds and pollinators, enriching the ecological value of your garden.
Portulaca
Portulaca, also known as moss rose, is an excellent choice for those looking for a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant flower. Its blooms open in sunlight, creating a colorful show of pink, yellow, and orange throughout the day.
These succulents thrive in full sun and can tolerate poor soil, making them perfect for containers. Due to their compact growth habit, they work well in hanging baskets or as edging for larger pots. Their ability to bloom in hot, dry conditions makes them a smart choice for late summer gardening.
Scaevola
Scaevola, often called the “fan flower,” features unique, fan-shaped blooms in shades of purple, blue, and white. This trailing plant is perfect for hanging baskets or as a spilling plant in pots, creating a beautiful display throughout the hot late summer months.
Scaevola thrives in full sun and well-draining, sandy soil. It’s also drought-resistant, meaning it will continue to thrive with minimal care. Regular watering will help maintain lush growth and longevity of blooms, ideally complementing your other late-summer flowers.
Celosia
Celosia, known for its feathery plumes or cockscomb shape, brings a unique texture to late summer pots. The vibrant colors range from yellow to red and pink, standing out wonderfully against the backdrop of other blooms.
These plants require well-draining soil and thrive in full sun. They are also drought-tolerant, making them perfect for those who may forget to water occasionally. Celosia’s bold nature can serve as an exciting centerpiece in pot arrangements, drawing the eye and inspiring admiration.
Euphorbia
Euphorbia is a diverse group of flowering plants, but the varieties suited for containers bring stunning green foliage and small, colorful blooms. This plant can add a creative touch to your late-summer displays while providing low-maintenance beauty.
Euphorbia prefers full sun and well-drained soil, thriving in conditions where other plants may struggle. They are drought-resistant and do not require much fussing. Including euphorbia in your pots can enhance the aesthetic appeal, serving as a subtle background to more vibrant flowers.
Strawflower
Strawflower is an interesting addition to late summer flower pots—it blooms in vibrant, papery flowers that retain their color even after drying. This quality makes them excellent for cut flower arrangements and to create a visual interest in your pots.
These flowers enjoy full sun and well-drained soil, and they are drought-tolerant. Regular deadheading will encourage more blooms to appear. Strawflowers can bring an unexpected and delightful element to your container gardening setup, providing both visual appeal and unique textures.
Cuphea (Cigar Plant)
Cuphea, commonly known as the cigar plant, features tubular flowers that resemble tiny cigars and come in shades of red, purple, and orange. This unique appearance draws pollinators and hummingbirds, adding an interactive element to your late summer garden.
Preference for full sun and well-drained soil ensures these plants thrive. They benefit from regular watering, especially in hotter weather. Cuphea is excellent in containers and hanging baskets, along with other late-summer flowers, bringing both flair and vibrancy to your displays.
