Late Summer Heroes

Late summer can be a time where flowering is at a low point and we are suffering from color withdrawal-- as are the bees and hummingbirds!  Consider these stars for late summer to early fall interest.

Palo Verde (Parkinsonia aculeata)

Small Trees

• Palo Verde (Parkinsonia aculeata): Drought-tolerant small tree; green bark; native to desert regions

• Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): Long-lasting blooms

Flowering Shrubs

• Chaparral Mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus): Native hibiscus-like flowers; pink blooms; fast-growing.

• Smoke Bush (Cotinus): Known for smoky, plume-like seed heads

• Oleander (Nerium oleander): Very drought-tolerant

• Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis): Tropical types are evergreen; hardy hibiscus are deciduous.

• Esperanza (Tecoma stans): Fast-growing; trumpet-shaped yellow flowers; heat- and drought-tolerant.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Esperanza (Tecoma stans)

Vines

• Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis): Colorful bracts, thorny, drought-tolerant, fast-growing

• Passion fruit (Passiflora): Edible fruit, exotic flowers, pollinator-friendly, vigorous climber

Purple Passionfruit (Passiflora incarnata)

Red Passionfruit (Passiflora racemosa)

Flowering Perennials

• California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum): Brilliant red-orange tubular flowers; late summer bloomer; attracts hummingbirds.

• California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum): Small white to pinkish flowers; critical nectar source for pollinators.

• St. Catherine’s Lace (Eriogonum giganteum): Large, sculptural form; showy flower clusters; attracts native bees.

• Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata): Sprawling shrub with sky-blue flowers; blooms profusely in warm climates, attracts butterflies.

• Lesser Catmint (Nepeta mussinii): Low-growing, aromatic perennial with soft gray-green foliage and lavender-blue flowers; long bloom season.

• Lantana (Lantana camara): Heat- and drought-tolerant; clusters of colorful flowers; attracts butterflies.

Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)

Lesser Catmint (Nepeta mussinii)

Lantana (Lantana camara)

• Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii): Small, shrubby perennial; red, pink, or purple blooms; great for pollinators.

• Verbascum 'Southern Charm' (Verbascum): Vertical flowering spikes; soft pinks, apricots, and lavenders.

• Cherry Pie (Heliotropium arborescens): Fragrant purple flowers; best in containers or protected areas.

• Wandflower (Oenothera lindheimeri): Delicate, fluttering flowers that resemble butterflies; long bloom time; good movement and texture in the garden.

• Sea Lavender (Limonium perezii): Tough coastal plant; purple-pink bracts; salt-tolerant.

• Blue Potato Bush (Lycianthes rantonnetii): Vigorous shrub with deep violet-blue, yellow-centered flowers; blooms spring to fall.

• Mexican Sage (Salvia leucantha): Soft, fuzzy purple/white flower spikes; drought-tolerant; attracts hummingbirds

  
  

Mexican Sage (Salvia leucantha) - Under windowsill

Velvet Echeveria (Echeveria pulvinata)

Succulents

• Velvet echeveria (Echeveria pulvinata): Fuzzy, silvery-green succulent with red-tipped leaves; orange-red blooms in winter.

• Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Hylotelephium spectabile): Upright, fleshy-leaved perennial with pink flower heads that age to bronze in fall.

Grasses

• Hameln Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides): Compact, clumping grass with green foliage and soft tan plumes; turns golden in fall.

• Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum x advena 'Rubrum'): Bold purple foliage with arching pinkish plumes; heat-loving, often grown as annual.

  
  

Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)