Summer is the season when gardens truly come to life — bursting with colour, buzzing with pollinators, and offering the perfect backdrop for relaxing outdoors. But as the heat rises and spring blooms begin to fade, it’s easy for beds and borders to start looking a little tired. That’s where the right summer plants, and a few timely gardening tips, can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll share 15 of the best summer plants to keep your garden vibrant all summer long, from low-maintenance pots to pollinator-friendly perennials.
You’ll also find practical advice for taking care of these plants, and some key jobs to tackle in your garden during the warmer months, so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your outdoor space.
15 Best Plants For Summer & Top Gardening Tips
Whether you’re working with a small patio, a city balcony garden, or a spacious suburban garden, choosing the right plants can transform your outdoor space into a colourful, blooming haven through summer and beyond. Here are 15 of the best summer plants to brighten up your beds, borders, and containers – along with simple tips to keep them thriving in the heat.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas come in a wide range these days, from the traditional mopheads in pink, white or blue (depending on your soil pH) to the huge round flowerheads of Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ or the long pendulous flowers of Hydrangea paniculata. Flowering from mid-summer into autumn, hydrangeas make a big impact in a mixed border and are great for shady gardens.
They’ll grow in full sun, too, provided the soil doesn’t dry out and the smaller mopheads do well in pots.
Caryopteris x clandonensis
Caryopteris x clandonensis (Bluebeard) is a deciduous shrub that looks fabulous in late summer, with its long stems covered in intense blue flowers that are a magnet for butterflies and bees. It grows well in full sun and is reasonably drought-tolerant.
Penstemons
Penstemons flower for months in summer, producing colourful sprays of tubular flowers well into autumn, with gorgeous varieties like the ‘Phoenix Red’. They’ll cope with some shade, though they bloom best in full sun, and best of all, they’re said to be resistant to slug damage!
Red flower border with crocosmia penstemon and antirrhinum
Michaelmas daisies
Michaelmas daisies (also known as Aster or Symphyotrichum) look beautiful in late summer and early autumn, with large clusters of daisy-like flowers in jewel-like colours. The plants vary in size from compact domes to large perennials with arching stems, so there’s one for every garden.
Hylotelephium
Hylotelephium (also known as Sedum), also known as stonecrops, are succulents with large rounded, fleshy leaves, typically green or blue-green. Still, there are also stunning maroon varieties like Hylotelephium ‘Spurium’.
They produce clusters of tiny pink or purple flowers that are very popular with pollinators, and the dried flowerheads add texture to the border well into winter if not cut back. These drought-tolerant perennials are suitable for dry, sunny spots.
Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia (coneflowers) have bold, daisy-like flowers with prominent dark centres. They’re enormously popular with bees and other pollinators, and their rich glowing colours fit perfectly into the late summer garden. Leave the seedheads on the stems after the flowers have faded to provide food for goldfinches and other small birds.
Plant in style: Our Handmade Aqua Green Glazed Terracotta Outdoor Pots are an ideal addition to any garden, terrace, or balcony. Each pot is individually handpainted in a serene aqua green, ensuring that no two pots are exactly alike, providing a unique summer touch to your outdoor spaces.
Gladioli
With tall spires of extravagant blooms in a sensational range of colours, from soft pastels to vibrant reds and yellows, gladioli are perfect for adding height and vertical accents to summer borders. They’re also much in demand for flower arrangements. In mild areas of the country, the bulbs can be mulched and left in the ground over winter and will come back again in spring.
Start gladiolus bulbs off indoors in pots in early spring, or plant them directly outdoors in late spring. They need a well-drained soil in full sun, so when planting in pots, mix grit in with the compost to improve drainage.
Lilies
From fabulously scented Oriental lilies to graceful tiger lilies and African lilies like the ‘Amourette Blue’ and ‘Amourette White’, these glamorous beauties add a touch of style and pizzazz to outdoor planters. Plant lily bulbs directly outdoors any time between autumn and spring, in well-drained soil with plenty of garden compost added to improve drainage.
Oriental lilies need acidic soil, or ericaceous compost if planted in pots. Other bulbs will do fine in neutral or alkaline soil, or multipurpose compost in pots. If your soil is heavy clay, it’s best to plant your lily bulbs in pots.
Dahlias
Dahlias come in an almost unlimited variety of colours and sizes, from dainty pom-pom dahlias to huge spectacular dinner plate dahlias with enormous blooms, like the ‘Summer Red Bicolour’. If regularly deadheaded, they’ll keep flowering right up to the first frosts.
Orange dahlia border in summer bloom
Allium
With their round purple flowerheads, Alliums make a remarkable statement on any sunny border, and there’s a wide range to choose from, from huge Allium giganteum to compact Allium schoenoprasum (chives) small enough for a patio pot. Plan them outdoors in spring, in well-drained soil in full sun or part shade.
Japanese anemones
Japanese anemones (Anemone x hybrida and Anemone hupehensis) are perfect for shady spots, with bold maple-shaped leaves and tall stems bearing big, cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink or white. They appear reliably year after year and are great for low-maintenance gardens.
Japanese anemone hupehensis var. japonica 'Prinz Heinrich'
Freesia
Freesias are prized for their exotic-looking colourful flowers and intense fragrance. Compact enough for a patio pot, they also make excellent cut flowers. In mild areas, the bulbs can be planted outdoors in autumn or mid-spring, in well-drained soil in full sun, for stunning summer blooms.
Sparaxis
With their colourful star-shaped flowers bobbing on slender stems, Sparaxis (harlequin flowers) look delightful in containers or at the front of a border. For best results, plant the bulbs in pots indoors or under cover in late winter or early spring, and move them outside after the last frost. If started early enough, they’ll reward you with a vibrant summer display.
Begonias
Tuberous begonias are fantastic for summer pots and hanging baskets, flowering for months and producing a sensational display of big, bold, colourful flowers, like the Begona ‘Waterfall Pink’. They’re easy to grow from tubers and very low-maintenance. Plant indoors in spring in pots filled with multipurpose compost.
Begonia tubers are saucer-shaped and should be planted with the concave side facing upwards. Water the pots and place them somewhere warm. As the plants grow, pot them on into larger pots. Harden them off and plant outside once all risk of frost is over.
Yellow and red begonia tubers
Best Gardening Jobs For Summer
- Prepare your seating: When the weather warms up, you will want to sit outside and soak up the early summer warmth. If your furniture needs cleaning, try to do that now so the seating is ready to be used the second you want to put your feet up and observe your summer garden. Clean down with a cloth or brush and wash any cushions or fabrics if needed.
- Get weeding and tidying: As the weather heats up and there is more sunshine, weeds will be growing at a pace. Tidying up your beds and borders now and getting rid of any tenacious weeds will help keep your garden neat and tidy ready for the summer months. Remove bigger weeds, so they don’t go to seed and hoe away annuals in the soil.
- Clean out your shed: A tidy shed can make all of the difference when it comes to finding your tools just when you need them. Summer can be a busy time in the garden, so having everything where you can find things easily will be really helpful when you’ve got a lot to do. Having a clear-up will also mean you can see if your shed needs another coat of paint or if any spiders are hiding in the corners!
- Add supports: You’ve probably already noticed your climbing, and taller plants need some support. Before they get too big, make sure you have tied them in, and put in some bamboo canes or other plant supports before it's too late or more difficult. This will mean less root disturbance and less of a tangle. It will also ensure plants don’t fall over or break just when it is at their peak.
- Kick back and relax: There’s no better way to appreciate your garden than to simply sit in it. Take in the colours, textures, and scents, and use the time to reflect on what’s flourishing and what might need a little care. Don’t feel overwhelmed – a little time spent each day can make all the difference.
Embrace Summer Gardening with Boma Garden Centre
There’s nothing quite like a garden in full summer bloom – alive with colour, texture, and life. Whether you're refreshing your borders, filling your pots with vibrant new plants, or simply looking for inspiration, Boma Garden Centre has everything you need to make your garden shine this season.
We stock a range of summer garden plants to boost your mood and get that summer feeling started. Want to add some extra colour to your garden this summer? Come down and see our fantastic range of outdoor plants – we’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for!
Visit Boma Garden Centre in London
Summer Gardening Tips Popular Questions
What are the best summer bedding plants?
Some of the best summer bedding plants include begonias, dahlias, and gladioli, as they offer long-lasting colour and thrive in sunny conditions and partial shade. Annual bedding plants are ideal for adding vibrant splashes to beds, borders, and containers.
When is the best time to water plants in summer?
The best time to water plants in summer is early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This reduces water evaporation and helps plants absorb moisture more effectively.
What are the best summer plants for pots?
Great summer plants for pots and summer containers include begonias, lilies, alliums, and freesia, as they’re compact, colourful, and thrive in well-drained compost. Many of them also make excellent cut flowers and are easy to maintain.
What can I plant in summer for foliage colour?
For a bold, exotic garden in summer, you could try planting Cannas, Colocasia, Hostas, and Heucheras, which bring vibrant leaves in shades of green, purple, bronze, and lime. Cordylines and Fatsia japonica also add a tropical feel and structure to borders or containers. Pair with dahlias and grasses for a lush, jungle-inspired display.
