A Gardener’s Guide to Late-Summer Blooms
August in Southeast Virginia is a season of lush, humid afternoons and lingering warmth that stretches into the evenings. While many imagine spring as the prime time for planting, late summer offers unique opportunities for gardeners. With careful selection, August plantings can result in vibrant autumn blooms and even set the stage for a spectacular spring. This article explores the best flowers to plant in August in Southeast Virginia, examining the characteristics, care requirements, and landscape roles of each, so you can transform your garden into a patchwork of beauty as the seasons turn.
Southeast Virginia lies in USDA Hardiness Zones 7b and 8a, which means winters are mild and summers are long and warm, with occasional spells of humidity and rain. These climate conditions inform what can be planted, when, and how flowers will perform in the months to come. Late summer is a period of transition: the soil is still warm, which promotes rapid root establishment, but the days gradually shorten, signaling many perennials and annuals to prepare for their next growth cycle.
Annuals: Instant Color for Late Summer and Fall
Annuals are the workhorses of the late summer garden. They germinate, flower, and complete their life cycle within a single season, making them ideal for quick bursts of color.
Zinnias
Zinnias are beloved for their bold, cheerful blooms, which come in a range of colors from magenta and orange to pale pink and chartreuse. In Southeast Virginia, zinnia seeds can be sown directly into the garden in early to mid-August. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and will bloom through the first light frosts. Deadheading spent flowers encourages new growth, extending their display well into autumn.
Cosmos
Cosmos thrive in the summer heat and tolerate poor soil, making them ideal for the challenging conditions that can arise in August. Their daisy-like flowers dance on delicate, ferny foliage in hues of white, pink, crimson, and even chocolate. Sow seeds directly or transplant young plants for a succession of blooms until frost.
Marigolds
Marigolds are robust and easy to grow, famed for their golden, orange, and russet flowers. In addition to their beauty, they act as natural pest deterrents. Seeds or young plants can go into the ground in August, and with regular deadheading, they will persist through the fall.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums offer edible blooms and trailing foliage perfect for garden edges, window boxes, or hanging baskets. Best sown directly into the soil, they tolerate heat but prefer some afternoon shade in the dog days of August. Their peppery-scented flowers arrive quickly and continue until frost.
Perennials: Investing for the Future
While annuals provide instant gratification, perennials are the backbone of a flower garden. Planting perennials in August allows them to establish robust root systems before the winter, resulting in healthier, more floriferous plants the following spring and summer.
Rudbeckia
Commonly known as black-eyed Susan, rudbeckias are tolerant of drought and heat, making them well-suited for Southeast Virginia’s August conditions. Transplant container-grown rudbeckia or divide established plants for a flush of golden yellow flowers that attract pollinators and provide winter interest with their seedheads.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis, or tickseed, offers a profusion of daisy-like flowers, usually in yellow but also in pink or red. PLanting in August gives them time to settle before winter, and their cheerful blooms return year after year from late spring through fall.
Gaillardia
Known as blanket flower, gaillardia brings a southwestern flair with its vibrant red and yellow petals. It thrives in dry, sunny spots and is remarkably tolerant of heat and poor soil. Auigust is an excellent time to plant these perennials for enduring color and pollinator activity.
Shasta Daisy
Shasta daisies are iconic perennials with pure white petals and sunny yellow centers. Transplanting them in late summer ensures they are well-rooted by spring, when their classic blooms will brighten any border.
Salvia
Salvias offer spikes of blue, purple, or pink blossoms favored by bees and hummingbirds. Many are prennials in Southeast Virginia, and late summer planting gives them a head start for next year’s impressive display.
Biennials and Cool-Season Annuals: Start Now for Spring
August may feel too hot to thik about spring, but savvy gardcenrs know this is the time to start flowers that overwinter and bloom as the weaher warms.
Pansies and Violas
Pansies and violas can be started from seed in late August. They love coler weather and will bloom through winter and into spring, providing cheerful color when little else is in flower.
Sweet William
Sweet William is a biennial that’s sown in tlate summer to flower the following spring. It prefers sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, producing lovely clusters of pink, white, or red blossoms.
Forget-Me-Nots
These charming blue-flowered biennials thrive in shady spots are are best started in late summer. They self-seed freely and return each year, carpeting garden corners in a haze of blue.
Flower Bulbs: Plan Ahead for Spring Splendor
August is an ideal time to order and prepare for planting spring-blooming bulbs, especially in Southeast Virginia where the soil remains workable well into autumn. While most bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths are planted in October or November, now is the time to select varieties and prepare beds by amending soil with compost and well-rotted manure for optimal results.
Native Flowers for Sustainable Gardens
Planting native flowers supports local wildlife and ensures resilience in the face of changing weather patterns.
Swamp Milkweed
Essential for monarch butterflies, this perennial thrives in moist spots and produces fragrant pink blooms late into the season.
Blue Mistflower
A native wildflower that brings clouds of blue in late summer and early fall, perfect for the August garden.
Offers lavender flower heads loved by pollinators and resists mildew better than some cultivars.
Tips for August Flower Planting Success
- Water Wisely: The heat of August can stress new plantings. Water deeply and consistently, preferably in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation and avoid fungal problems.
- Mulch Generously: Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Use two to three inches of organic mulch around new plants, but keep it from touching stems to prevent rot.
- Feed Lightly: Avoid heavy fertilizing; a balanced, slow-release fertilizer is best until plants are established.
- Monitor Pests and Disease: Late-season gardens can attract aphids, spider mites, and fungal issues. Inspect plants regularly and treat appropriately, favoring organic solutions when possible.
- Choose the Right Site: Full sun is crucial for most flowers, but in Southeast Virginia’s August heat, some partial shade during the hottest part of the day can protect tender annuals and perennials.