As the summer heat intensifies, many of us are looking for ways to refresh our outdoor spaces. The combination of scorching temperatures and busy schedules can easily turn a lush container garden into a sun-scorched memory. But fear not! With a few strategic additions, you can transform your patio into a luxurious oasis, even in the midst of July. Let's explore some of the best plants to add to your patio this month, and why they're worth the investment.
The Power of Ornamental Trees
Ornamental trees in pots add a touch of natural elegance and vertical interest to any outdoor space. One standout choice for July is the Cornus Kousa, a Japanese relative of the American Dogwood. This medium-sized tree boasts bushy foliage and eye-catching bracts, instantly making a space feel lush throughout the summer months and beyond. With its long-lasting summer blooms and beautiful red berries, it's no wonder landscape designer Jon Fargion favors it. The Kousa Dogwood is cold-hardy and thrives in zones 5-8, making it a versatile choice for many gardens. Its preference for 6 hours of sunlight per day and well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil ensures it flourishes in the right conditions.
Another excellent option is the Acer, or Japanese maple. These trees are not only stunning in Japanese gardens but also perfect for adding structure and elegance to your patio. With their spectacular foliage and striking shapes, they are a mid-summer go-to for landscapers. Jon recommends planting a Japanese Maple with Hakone grass or Gallium odoratum at the base for an abundant container combo. While they prefer shaded areas, their vibrant foliage and elegant structure make them a standout choice for July.
The Beauty of Flowering Plants
Flowering plants are a summer staple, and Gaura lindheimeri is a standout choice. This gorgeous perennial boasts long-lasting summer blooms that can be light pink or white, creating a cloud-like effect with its elegant long stalks. It's perfect for patio containers and flower beds, thriving in direct sunlight. For a burst of color, consider the Rosy Jane Gaura from Burpee, which will look spectacular as a container plant or bordering a patio. Its bi-color flowers will bloom until fall, adding a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.
Annual Geraniums, or Pelargoniums, are another reliable choice for vibrant summer color. These tough annuals are readily available at garden centers and thrive in the intense July heat. With an array of hues to suit any garden design scheme, they're an impactful floral to display around outdoor seating and dining spaces. The Solera Red Geranium from Plant Addicts will provide an intense pop of color on your patio, and can even be styled as a living table decoration while it's relatively small.
The Charm of Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny, or Lysimachia nummularia, is a tough yet beautiful plant that landscape architect Marci Bonner loves to use to refresh summer containers. This mat-forming perennial looks particularly impactful when layered as a 'spiller' with its verdant foliage cascading over planters, hanging baskets, or tall garden urns. While it doesn't bloom, the color of its foliage varies depending on the amount of sun or shade it receives, becoming more yellow in the sun and more chartreuse in shade. It's important to note that Creeping Jenny is a vigorous perennial that can become invasive in open ground, so confine it to containers.
The aptly named Goldilocks Creeping Jenny from Burpee is easy to grow and will add beautiful cascading color to your containers. Plant it with colorful florals in a light-colored container like the pale gray terracotta pot from Ace Hardware for eye-catching contrast.
The Spectacle of Million Bells
For a burst of spectacular summer color, Million Bells, or Calibrachoa, is hard to beat. These tough trailing annuals thrive in full sun and come in a wide range of colors, from intense pinks, reds, purples, and yellows to softer corals, lavender, and white. Some cultivars even have pretty striped patterns on their petals. Million Bells is a pretty plant that will bloom from spring to fall, and unlike geraniums, they do not require deadheading. They prefer a little afternoon shade during the intense heat of midsummer, making them a versatile choice for July.
Marci recommends using a mix of bold red Geraniums with white Million Bells and chartreuse Creeping Jenny to create a patriotic look for Independence Day. This combination beautifully utilizes the classic 'thriller, filler, spiller' gardening method to create lush, cascading, and colorful displays.
A Luxurious Look with Instant Impact
These plants are the go-to choices for designers looking to create a luxuriously layered look with instant impact. Whether you're refreshing your pots, introducing some structural shade, or refining your summer garden design, take inspiration from their selection, and you can do the same. From the elegant structure of the Acer to the vibrant color of the Million Bells, these plants will transform your patio into a luxurious oasis, even in the midst of July.
So, why not add a touch of luxury to your outdoor space this month? With these plants, you can create a stunning patio that will impress your guests and provide a peaceful retreat for you to enjoy.
