They say there are only two things certain in life: death
and taxes. For us in Western Washington, though, I’d like to add a third: June
gloom. You can count on it like clockwork—summer likely won’t really arrive
until our Fourth of July picnics are over. So what can you do in your yard this
month to brighten your flowerbeds and your spirits?
Annual flowers are great—nothing provides quite the splash
of color like the vivid tones of geraniums, New Guinea impatiens or Wave
petunias. But if you’re looking for something with a little bit more size that
will come back year after year, you’ll love Asiatic lilies. With their bright
colors, these bulbs will bloom through early summer and aren’t easily spoiled
by the regular rain we get at this time of year. Each year, the bulbs will
multiply, allowing you to divide and replant them as you wish.
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| 'Tiny Bee' Asiatic lily |
If you love the look of lilies but don’t enjoy the size that
many can grow to (some varieties can easily grow four feet tall), try dwarf
Asiatic lilies. At Vander Giessen Nursery, we love the “Lily Looks”
series—these varieties bloom profusely with full-sized flowers but top out at
two feet or less. My favorite this year is a bright yellow called ‘Tiny Bee’,
but there are several other great colors as well.
Another beautiful perennial for early summer color is
dianthus (also known as carnations or pinks). This classic selection looks
beautiful in the garden year-round with its silvery-blue foliage, but recent
advancements in breeding have produced varieties that offer longer bloom times
and higher bud counts. Additionally, many recent introductions have brought
back the strong fragrances found in some of the older varieties no longer
available commercially.
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| 'Black Lace' elderberry |
For a larger shrub in your yard that can provide
early-summer flowers and all-summer interest, a plant you must check out is
‘Black Lace’ elderberry. With its deeply-cut dark purple foliage and soft pink flowers,
it’s a stunning addition to the garden throughout spring and summer. In fall,
its berries may be harvested for elderberry jam—or, if you enjoy watching birds
in your yard, the fruit may be left for them to enjoy.
Drought is certainly not a pressing concern in our area
right now, but if you tend to forget to water potted plants on your patio, you
may want to consider mixing some succulents into your containers. Not afraid of
dry conditions, succulents like jade or colorful stonecrop varieties can add
beauty and texture to pots out in the sun. Additionally, you can consider
adding unique Boxwood basil to frequently-dry containers. While not exactly
drought-loving, basil can quickly succumb to too much water, so enjoy the dwarf
Boxwood basil variety as an edible, fragrant addition to pots you can keep on
the dry side.
Finally, June is a great time to start enjoying fresh rose
bouquets for your dining room table. If you enjoy the beauty and fragrance
roses offer, it’s not too late to plant a single shrub or a whole garden. Visit
your favorite nursery this month to find roses budded and in bloom. And if you
haven’t yet fertilized your existing roses this year, use Bayer All-in-One Rose
& Flower Care to make rose gardening easy—it feeds, protects from bugs and
prevents diseases in a simple no-spray application.
June gloom is nothing to smile at, but with lots of colorful
plants to enjoy this time of year, a quick trip to your favorite local nursery
can go a long way to stave off the doldrums. See what colorful plants you can
find to brighten your spirits today!
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