Lantana – A Hardy Perennial for Summer Gardens

Yellow Lantana growing in one of my flower beds.

Living in southern Oklahoma, we can have some really hot and dry summers. I always have such a beautiful flower garden in spring when we have had some rain and the temperatures have not gotten too hot. Once summer comes along and brings on the 90 to 100 degree temperatures and forgets to bring any rain along with them, my flower gardens begin to fade.

I love bright colors in my gardens and try to keep some type of red and yellow flowers blooming all year long. However, when the temperatures reach 100 degrees and I am not able to water my flowers for one or two days, I lose some of them or they become sad looking and don’t recuperate well. I have found that my lantana withstands this very well. I have it planted in 2 different flower beds and it may become wilted looking, but with a good soaking, it will snap right back to its beautiful self.

If you are looking for a low maintenance flower that blooms all summer and withstand really hot temperatures, lantana is a must for you! It is a member of the verbena family and known to be very hardy. It is native to Africa and tolerates hot temperatures very well. 

The orange and red mix is one of my favorites!

Lantana comes in several colors, such as yellow, orange and red and blue and white. My favorite is the orange and red colors. The lantana I have planted grows more as a low growing mound rather than a bush as some. It will cover an area in my flower bed of about 4 feet around and 2 feet high with beautiful, long lasting color. Lantana is also great for attracting butterflies and bees.

If you are looking for a low maintenance plant that is drought tolerant and long blooming for a hot summer garden, lantana would make a wonderful choice!

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Cone Flowers - A Hardy and Beautiful Perennial for Summer Gardens 

7 Hardy Flowers for Summer Gardens

 

Cone Flowers – A Hardy and Beautiful Perennial for Summer Gardens

Pink Cone Flower and Bee

If you are looking for a colorful and hardy flower for your flower garden, the family of cone flowers is an excellent choice! The cone flowers, properly called Echinacea, are a hardy and long blooming flower.

They get the name “cone flower” from the way the daisy like flower petals angle backwards appearing similar to a cone. They are native to the central and eastern parts of the US and are considered perennials in zones 3 through 9. 

Pink Cone Flowers from my Garden

The cone flower is drought tolerant and long blooming, blooming from early summer to late fall. They come in a wide variety of colors ranging from white, pink, purple and red. Some hybrid varieties are yellow, orange and even green.

Cone flowers grow best with at least 5 hours of full sun. They like loamy soil but will grow in almost any soil condition. For best results, in hard soil, add peat moss to help soften the soil and keep moist, but not soggy. I mulch them heavily to cut down on watering time and it seems to make their colors even brighter.

Deadheading your flowers is important to keep them blooming until early fall. I prefer to deadhead mine once the flower has begun to turn brown and I see a new bloom appearing.  I will take the flower I have just removed and poke it into the ground. I don’t know if this really works, but I always have new little plants popping up during the season. 

Cone flowers are great for attracting bees and butterflies.

 If you enjoy attracting butterflies to your flower gardens, get ready as cone flowers are great for attracting butterflies, bees and birds. They also make great cut flowers as their blooms are long lasting when you bring them inside.

 You may also enjoy:

A Great Summer Perennial - The Four O'Clock Flower 

Best Perennial Flowers for Spring Gardens

 7 Hardy Flowers for Summer Gardens 

 

  If you have enjoyed my pictures, you can find them on many products like the one below at 

My Zazzle Store 

Pink Coneflower and Bee Tote Bag - $10.95