Sensational summer sizzlers

July signals peak summer with the garden exploding from every angle whether it is the grass growing virtually before our eyes, or what we all secretly dream of in the depths of winter, sensational summer sizzlers. 

When our minds ache for borders bursting with plants radiating colour, or dazzling pots dripping with blooms and our senses are pulled in every direction, we need to act. if you are feeling your plot is looking a little lack lustre then there is plenty of time to inject pizzazz. From visionary landscapes to scent, taste, touch and even sound as pollinators busy themselves, I’ve got a few hot picks to share that should not fail to raise a smile and uplift.

When my son was younger we used to visit the French Alps every summer and would always drive home via Annecy. I would revel in the picturesque ancient city and its lake that could surely only exist in a film, but there it stood, the epitome of perfection. But aside from the sophisticated chic of this French lakeside life surrounded by majestic mountains, Annecy held a different fascination for me; the municipal gardens. 

Jardins de l’Europe captivated me with their intensely planted borders cram-packed with vivid fiery oranges, yellows and reds rubbing shoulders with every shade of purple and green and all offset against the crystal-clear aqua blue of the lake; it was totally mesmerising. 

It’s hardly any wonder that I wanted to recreate that when I arrived home. If you are travelling the UK or further afield this summer, take note of the plant combos you see; how they are grouped together? 

Working as a professional gardener I am lucky to get the opportunity to experiment with planting in large country gardens and here are some of my all-time summer favourites that I enjoy year after year inspired by my travels that thrive in UK gardens.

Zinnia

Zinnia is a showstopper; there is nothing shy and subtle about this flower, it is a total show off. In your face colour erupts from single or multi-petalled heads to shout its presence to passing bees and butterflies.

Their striking bold colours and complicated flowerheads crammed with petals demand attention. I have fond memories of summer alpine gardens alive with swathes of these beauties and like all these flowers on my hit list, they are bee magnets.

A cheap way to amass drifts of zinnia is to grow them from seed and although that window has closed for this season it is handy to put a note in your diary for next year to crack open the seed packets in spring after the frost risk has passed. But you can still grab the opportunity to pep up your patio or bulk your borders now by grabbing some zinnia plants at your local garden centre. 

Tithonia rotundifolia, Mexican sunflower

Tithonia is another must have plant. Grow them from seed sown directly where you want them to grow during April to May or start them off earlier indoors, but for a July quick fix look online or visit your nearest plant store and insert established plants into any border gaps. These plants grow tall so lend themselves to being nestled in a herbaceous border with the surrounding plants offering support, keeping them from flopping.

The warm glow of orange petals is hypnotic. Make sure you give tithonia space, they certainly have no problem filling gaps and some! Covered in hundreds of flowers heads you will marvel at what an overwhelmingly good plant this is – how can one seed produce a plant so big with so many flowers? This sun worshipper is certainly a crowd pleaser.

Dahlia

Dahlias are always going to fill me with wonder for their sheer volume of size, shape and colour and their ability to continually produce blooms as long you deadhead the faded flowers regularly. From pompon to dinner plates, dahlias are an essential garden asset for drama, bright borders and a seaming endless supply of cut flowers.

The bountiful borders at Annecy saw dahlias alongside a kaleidoscope of flowers as well as some incredible vegetables too! Huge cabbages nestled between foliage to create not only an eye-catching arrangement but also an edible one. Dahlias were grown by the Aztecs for their edible tubers and although they can be peeled and cooked up like sweet potatoes I’d rather leave the tubers in the ground to flourish and just pick off a few petals to scatter on salads.

These large, leafy, Mexican sun lovers can grow tall so when planting give them plenty of space and stake them early, but dwarf bush varieties make marvellous compact choices for pots. Enrich the soil with organic matter and add grit for drainage in heavy clay. Use a high potash fuel like Flower Power to maximise growth.

Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia ‘Little Goldstar’ is an absolute gem. Blooming July to October this plant booms! Golden yellow, daisy-like flowers shine like mini suns contrasting against rich dark centres but unlike other rudbeckia, ‘Little Goldstar’ stays compact, ideal for containers as well as borders.; shining with late summer and autumn colour to attract not only our attention but that of bees and butterflies too. Or try the prairie classic Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ if you want more height. These flowers go on and on until frost hits and need very little intervention; plant, water, deadhead and enjoy.

Echinacea

Like all flowers on my top five list, echinacea boasts a large open landing platform for pollinators making it a great summer garden choice. You can keep yourself entertained for hours watching the frantic comings and goings of the local insects.

These days it is not only the traditional pink hues with prominent dark orange centres that we associate with echinacea; new lively varieties such as Echinacea ‘Lakota Orange’ and Echinacea ‘SunMagic Vintage Red’ have catapulted this coneflower into spanning garden designs with a wider colour palette.