After the mad rush of spring planting and garden maintenance, it is a relief to take a more leisurely, yet studied approach to the perennial garden during the month of June.
June is the perfect time to purchase and plant perennials. In June the garden center will feature larger, more mature, flowering plants than often are available during the spring. June is a great month to initiate, rejuvenate, or redo a perennial garden area!
Visit a local botanic garden or garden center in June to see new perennials that you can add to your home borders. Pay attention to the June bloomers as well as the emerging and later blooming flowers of Summer.
Here are some other ways to celebrate Perennial Garden Month:
Think about future celebrations and holidays that can benefit from some perennial adornment. If there is a wedding in your future, perhaps this is the time to add perennials to edge a pathway or add beauty to a pergola.
Summertime barbeques on the patio are extra special with perennial containers. Remember to add a Thriller, Filler and Spiller to any combination for an exciting and satisfying result.
How about adding some fireworks to garden borders with June blooming, red flowering perennials? Try Coreopsis Red Satin, Hemerocallis Passionate Returns, or Monarda Jacob Cline.
June is the perfect month to establish an old-fashioned, soft-toned “grandmother’s garden” using June bloomers. Digitalis grandiflora (Yellow Foxglove), Campanula persicifolia (blue peach-leaf bellflower), pastel Iris germanica cultivars, and Lavander cultivars such as Phenomenal or Sensational, Imperial Gem, Royal Velvet or SuperBlue.
Ohh! And don’t forget about the late season foraging of butterflies and birds! Include Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower), Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), Monarda didyma (Bee balm), Heliopsis helianthodes (perennial sunflower), and Ligularia dentata in your planting plans.
And after that first flush of blossom is done, it’s a good time to deadhead or cut back the early spring perennial bloomers to encourage rebloom or fresh foliage. Father’s Day is a good time to shear back by half those tall, late-season perennials that tend to flop, such as Asters and Sedums.
Most importantly, take some time to enjoy your new plantings and established garden borders, the soft summer breezes and the delightful color combinations provided by you and Mother Nature. And cut a bouquet of flowers to bring some June into your home.