20 Best Summer Flowers for Your Home and Garden
Beautiful flowers are sought by people for ages. They have been associated with our culture, paintings, art and craft, ideas, religion, emotions, philosophy, and social customs. Flowers are found in more than 2,00,000 varieties in a wide spectrum of colors.
They are within the reach of all irrespective of the class divide. According to modern century illustrated encyclopedia (Mcgraw hill Australia,1972), flowers bring joy and solace to people with their form and color.
Botanically speaking, flowers form the reproductive organ of any plant. They can be single or as a distinct cluster called fluorescence. Certain flowers have the power to move themselves, their stems and other body parts. Example- opening and closing of morning glory because of sunlight, barberry flowers raise their stamens by a touch.
Different Types of Flowers
Flowers exhibit a wide range according to their color, size, form, smell and anatomic arrangement. They also are found in hundreds of different combinations, breeds, etc.
According to their lifespan, they can be classified as annuals, biennials, and perennials.
Annuals are those which start from seed each year. Example- marigold, morning glory, petunia
Biennials are those with a lifespan of two years. Example – Lunaria, foxglove.
Perennials are those that live for more than two years. They are also called as evergreen. Example- Daturia, lilies, lavender.
Benefits of Keeping Flowers in Home
Increase in vehicular traffic and decrease in natural vegetation has lead to pollution in the environment with toxic gases. These poisonous gases are concentrated in the air we inhale. Various trees and flowering plants are now planted to check pollution.
Plants have modified themselves morphologically to absorb the pollutants. Certain flowering plants develop a biochemical defense. mechanisms which enable them to detoxify the harmful chemicals.
Some of the pollution-fighting flowering plants are rose, bougainvillea, marigold, chrysanthemum etc.
Flowering plants provide physiological, behavioral and emotional benefits to mankind. According to path-breaking research done in the USA from 2000-2005, flowers leave immediate and long term positive effects on emotional reactions, moods and social behaviors of individuals. It also enhances memory of people, male and female alike.
It was shown to trigger emotional happiness, sense of satisfaction in life and increase in emotional contact with friends and family. It also showed improved memory, decreased depression among senior citizens.
It has also been found that flowers improve home ecology as well. People feel more compassionate towards others, have less worry and anxiety and feel less depressed around flowers. (Home ecology of flowers study at Harvard).
A study found that keeping flowering plants at the workplace increased workers creativity and improved problem-solving skills.
Several fragrant flowers used to worship Gods are found in ancient sacred literature. The word puja has been derived from the root word poo (flower), which is mainly offered for the performance of puja.
One more benefit of flowers is to use them as dry flowers. Dry flowers are natural flowers. Their leaves, flowers, and pods are dried and preserved so that they can have lasting value. They can be used for decoration purposes, flower balls, greeting cards, festival decorations, sweet-smelling potpourri and many items of aesthetic importance.
Flowers can be dried at home by various methods like air drying, oven drying, pressing the flowers. They are cheap, eco-friendly and biodegradable. They can survive the heat of summer and cold of winters. Examples of flowers which can be grown for drying are bougainvillea, chrysanthemum, marigold, aster, dahlia, gerbera, rose, etc.
20 Best Summer Flowers
After knowing the value of flowers, let us begin with 20 best summer flowers.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is an excellent hot seasonal plant.
It is a sun lover and thrives in full sun. It requires dry soil, infrequent watering, and frequent fertilization.
It is salt tolerant and drought tolerant. It is a popular ornamental plant and can be grown in containers, hanging baskets, on the ground, its vines can be trained to grow along fences and walls, etc.
Specialty– It comes in various colors and is quite easy to grow. It is mostly pest-free and disease-free.
Hibiscus
It grows best in tropical areas and needs full sun. It is available in different colors.
These beauties are an example of a complete flower and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. They require 8-10 hours of direct sunlight. Water them when the soil feels dry.
Specialty- Dried hibiscus is edible and is used as a garnish for desserts. Hot and cold tea is also made by boiling petals of the flower. However, it is contraindicated in pregnancy.
Marigold
Marigold is a beautiful summer flower. Vast quantities of marigolds are used in garlands and decorations for wedding, festival, and religious occasions.
It requires full sun and can grow in any type of well-drained soil. It is a beautiful annual plant and blooms all summer long. Do not give it too much fertilization.
Specialty- It is a natural bug and rodent repellent. Planting it will ensure no bugs and rodents in the garden.
Jasmine
Jasmine is a well known popular summer flower. It is star-shaped and called as ‘Chameli’, ‘Bela’ etc. It is used for decorative purposes, for worship, in marriages and festivals.
It grows in full sunlight. It can tolerate heat and thrives in warm temperatures. It should be watered when the soil feels dry to touch. They can be grown indoors as well in an area which receives plenty of sunlight.
Specialty- Jasmine’s gives out an amazing sweet scent both when grown outdoors or indoors. It can be trained to grow over a trellis, arbors, fence, wall, etc.
Petunia
The scientific name of petunia is Petunia Grandiflora. It is also commonly called as Petunia. Petunias can tolerate harsh conditions and hot climate.
It needs at least five hours of sunlight every day. It can do well in any kind of well-drained soil. It needs moderate watering. Remove faded flowers so that plant can concentrate its energy on producing more blooms.
Specialty– Petunias provide blooms all summer. It can be also grown as a winter plant.
Rose Flowers
Roses are ornamental plants grown for their shape, flower, color, scent, etc.. They grow best in full sun requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
They require a well-drained soil which is rich in organic matter. Water them when the soil feels dry.
Specialty– Roses can be eaten as a flavoring on food and their petals can be candied or boiled as herbal tea. They can also be made into jam and jelly. Rosewater can be boiled and used in sweets.
Sunflower
They are the fastest-growing oilseed crop with a beautiful flower. They move in the direction of the sun keeping the flower head facing the sun.
It is an annual flower with big daisy-like flower with a big head in the Centre which becomes full of seeds when ripened. They need hot long summers to flower well. They require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day.
Specialty- sunflowers make excellent cut flowers to decorate the home. They survive in vases for 5-10 days. Once the sunflower seeds ripen, dry, store and eat. Sunflower packs many nutrients into its seed.
Lotus
Lotus is a beautiful aquatic plant. It is white and pink in color and is grown in shallow and murky water.
It grows in warm climates in direct sunlight. With at least 6-8 hours of sunlight every day. The roots are grown in soil and the stem grows up in the water with the leaves and flowers several centimeters above the water. It is sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Specialty- lotus can be eaten and its seeds can be preserved and eaten. It is full of vitamins and minerals.
Lilies
Lilies bloom in early summer. Its botanical name is Lilium candidum. There are many species of Lilium which are grown. There is rain lily which blooms twice once in spring and once in the rainy season.
There is may lily. Lilium candidum is the state flower of Madhya Pradesh. it requires good well-drained soil and grows well in full sun. It is seen as a symbol of purity in Christian traditions and it is devoted to the Virgin Mary.
Specialty– lilies are beautiful cut flowers to decorate your house in vases. They give a pleasant fragrance.
Plumeria (Frangipani)
It blooms heavily in summer. It requires at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. It can withstand drought conditions.
Water it when the soil has become dry. It needs well-drained soil. It is vulnerable to strong winds. It is associated with temples in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. In Bengal it is associated with death, in western Karnataka, it is used as wedding garland.
Specialty– frangipanis give a lovely scent. One can enjoy the flower and the fragrance wherever it is planted.
Rose periwinkle
It is also called as Vinca. It is poisonous and should not be orally consumed. It is heat and drought tolerant annuals and requires well-drained soil.
It grows well in full sun. It requires water only when the soil has dried. It is easy to grow the plant and does not require much care. The leaves curl in the heat but recover with evening dew.
The flowers drop off after blooming and do not require deadheading.
Specialty- This plant flowers throughout the year in tropical conditions and from spring to late autumn in warm temperature areas.
Tuberose
It needs a sunny location where it can receive 6-8 hours of sunlight. It requires well-drained soil. Water only when the soil has dried up.
They are at the peak of their fragrance during evening hours. When the flowers bloom their weight might bring the branches down so they need some support.
Place a trellis next to them to give them support.
Specialty- It has a wonderful scent which is used worldwide in perfumes.
Portulaca Grandiflora
It is called moss rose.
It blooms continuously in hot summer afternoons. It is a fast-growing annual succulent. It requires good sunlight and well-drained soil.
It is drought tolerant. It requires almost no attention and grows easily. It produces different colored blooms in shades of red, yellow, white, pink, orange and purple. Flowers begin to appear in early summer.
Specialty- It blooms around 9 o’clock in the morning. Its leaves and seeds are edible raw or cooked.
Globe amaranth
It is heat and drought tolerant. It is an annual tropical plant that blooms in full sun. It needs watering only when the soil has dried up and requires well-drained soil.
It is a low maintenance plant which attracts birds. It self seeds itself from fallen seeds in the same area it was grown in the previous season.
Specialty: It is an edible plant and blooms throughout summer until October
Daisy
The white flowers of the daisy are in full bloom from late spring to late summer. They need sunlight of at least 6 hours daily.
They require water when the soil is dry and need well-drained soil. The white color of the daisy is a symbol of peaceful innocence, sophistication, and diligence.
Specialty: It is used as beautiful cut flowers for vases, bouquets, etc. The leaves, buds, and petals of this flower are edible. It is fodder for horses, sheep, and goats. The blended mixture of daisy leaves is good natural insect repellants.
Dahlia
They are also known as Dehaliya. They are sun lovers requiring 8 hours of full sun. The more sun they get, the better they will bloom.
The plants start flowering in mid-summer and continue blooming till fall.
They require well-drained fertile soil. They can be planted in pots in a garden for screening to enclose a space or close a view.
Specialty- Dahlia’s are one of the biggest blooms in the garden. The flowers come in different sizes and rainbows of colors. They are excellent cut flowers for the home. Just a few of them will give a basket full of blooms.
Gloriosa Lily
It requires sun and warm temperatures. It thrives in humidity.
A partial shade from the hot afternoon sun is appreciated. When the flower stops blooming, reduce the water. It needs a wire, trellis or string to climb. It produces tendrils at the tip of the leaves.
Protect them from hard weather and strong winds.
Specialty- Gloriosa lily is beautiful cut flowers for the vase as it holds up well for quite a few days.
Begonia
Begonias are of many different varieties. It is commonly called as begonia or wax begonias. It is a tropical flower and can be grown potted or as a shrub.
It needs sunlight but not direct sunlight. Filtered or dappled sunlight works fine. It thrives in a warm climate. It requires fertilized well-drained soil and ample water.
It is unsafe to consume it in large quantities as it contains oxalic acid in its tissues.
Specialty- It is grown as an ornamental plant both indoors or outdoors.
Zinnias
These are the best flowers to be grown in summer. They love heat and grow best in full sun.
They are drought tolerant and require well-drained soil. Water them only when the soil feels dry. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new blooms. They are low maintenance plants.
Watch out for fungal diseases and completely remove the diseased part.
Specialty- They are used as beautiful cut flowers with bright colors for decorating house.
Gazania
It is commonly called as ‘Treasure flower’. It is the showiest blooms of the garden. It blooms from early summer to early fall. It does not require much care.
It is heat and drought resistant. It thrives in full sun. It can tolerate a variety of soil conditions although it blooms best in sandy well-drained soil. Water it when the soil feels dry to touch.
It is available in different colors orange, yellow, white, red and sometimes with vertical variegations like tiger stripes or splashes of white.
Specialty- It gives beautiful big blooms which can be 4-6 inches across and are beautiful as cut flowers of various colors.
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