Our Australian summer is famous for its scorching sun, dry heat, and drenching rains. But with the extreme weather also comes a variety of vibrant blooms for your garden. We've put together a list of our 11 favourite buds in bloom during summer and beyond, to brighten up your summer garden.
1. Australian Natives
In warmer weather, it’s best to go with flowering plants that can withstand heat without withering away. For this reason, Australian native plants are the perfect choice for your summer garden. Beauties such as banksia, kangaroo paw and bottle-brush (see below), are great because they’re drought resistant, can handle harsh temperatures and will attract birds and bees to your garden.
2. Banksia
Banksias are among the most generous of Australian native plants. They range from ground covers, to low growing shrubs, to small trees.They flower for months and provide great colour as well as nectar for insects, birds and even small animals.
3. Bottle Brush
These bright Aussie garden favourites, bottle brush require just a little attention once established. Annual feeding with a native fertiliser in spring, and weekly watering keep this summer plant happy in your backyard.
4. Kangaroo Paw
The iconic Kangaroo paws are much loved for their clusters of claw-like flowers that open from furry, tactile buds. Their range in colour from red to orange, to yellow and pink, as well as the new ‘Bush Diamond’ with near-white flowers. Kangaroo paws love well drained soil and are best cut back at the end of the flowering season for new growth in the following year.
5. Bougainvillea
If you want to add a vibrant tropical look to your garden, then you can’t beat bougainvillea. Bougainvillea is an evergreen climber that’s blooms an abundance of colour throughout the summer months. The common varieties include shades of red, orange, pink and purple, but you can also find white and golden varieties too.
6. Dahlia
Admired for their lush foliage and vibrant blooms, dahlias are surprisingly easy to grow in your garden. They require full sun and the miniature varieties can also be grown in pots. Their fleshy roots called tubers require well-drained, compost-rich soil.
7. Echinacea
Echinacea is a therapeutic perennial plant that is often used in herbal teas and remedies. Not only does it provide you with a great tea, it is also a very attractive and easy plant to grow in your summer garden.
8. Frangipani
Frangipani trees flower from December to April, and thrive in well-drained soil, plenty of sun and frost-free conditions. This aromatic plant is perfect for beachside properties because it loves sandy soil and can tolerate salty coast air.
9. Grevillea
The firework-like Grevillea are always popular in Australian gardens. They come in a wide range of styles including ground covers, small shrubs, hedges, and tall trees. Most varieties are tough and resilient, especially with good drainage.
10. Gardenia
The alluring perfume of gardenia can create a beautiful ambiance for your summer garden. If you fertilise them each season and water them well, they will reward you with a bounty of lush green growth and stunning white flowers for your home.
11. Lavender
Looking for a summer-loving plant that creates a serene atmosphere and a blanket of colour, then you can’t go past classical lavender. Lavender is a hardy perennial plant well known for its attractive silver-grey, aromatic foliage and purple to blue flower spikes. Their blooms usually appear in late spring to early summer; however there are now varieties available that flower for most of the year. Lavender is fantastic to plant near your veggie patch or fruit trees, as they attract bees into your garden to promote better pollination.