Flowers: summer edition

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Flowers are simply beautiful. They came in so many different sizes and shapes you won’t even believe how many of them exist. Whether you have a whole garden or just one or two of them they can really make any place a bit more beautiful. They can also be a lovely present.

I think that flowers are without a shadow of a doubt essential. Do you disagree? Well, think for a second about the fact that people bring flowers when a baby is born and when someone dies. Flowers have been used since as far back as 50,000 years in funeral rituals. Many cultures do draw a connection between flowers and life and death, and because of their seasonal return flowers also suggest rebirth, which may explain why many people place flowers upon graves. In ancient times the Greeks would place a crown of flowers on the head of the deceased as well as cover tombs with wreaths and flower petals. Rich and powerful women in ancient Egypt would wear floral headdresses and necklaces upon their death as representations of renewal and a joyful afterlife, and the Mexicans to this day use flowers prominently in their Day of the Dead celebrations in the same way that their Aztec ancestors did.

Let’s just “get to know” some of the ones that grow during the summer… :p

The Flowers of summer

·        Roses

The Rose is probably the most common summer flower across the globe. You may be surprised to know and currently there exists more than a hundred different species of the flower. They are available in 8 different forms of flower heads. They are usually planted as soon as the summer months start heating up the soils. They prefer growing in open and free areas.

·        Bee Balm

Bee Balm is arguable one of the most interesting types of summer flowers. They grow in clusters and have a life span of approximately three years. Though this is a summer plant, it must be planted in a shady place or the sunlight will dry out its petals and soil. It is available in fifteen different species.

·        Iris

Iris is the earliest summer flower that blooms each summer. They are available in various colours with the most common ones being purple and yellow. One fascinating feature about this plant is that it can grow up to 30 flowers per stem. The bearded iris is probably the most popular type of irises. They get their name from their petals which give a beard-like impression.

·        Cosmos

Cosmos flowers are still considered summer flowers although they bloom in October. This is probably because they, like all other types of summer flowers, are able to bear the heat. Cosmos flowers are available in more than 20 different species and are grown mainly in Mexico and the United States. They grow best when they are exposed to maximum sunshine and can grow up to two feet in height.

·        Peonies

Peonies bloom the same time as irises and are among the most popular types of summer flowers. Like the Iris, this flower too blooms a little before summer and is available in various colours. Most often how you plant the flower influences its colour. Sarah Bernhardt is the most common Peony flower and blooms in a hot pink colour. This flower is also the easiest summer flower to take care of which gives them a long life span.

·        Gloriosa daisy

Deep golden petals radiate from chocolate centers on 2- to 4-inch-wide flowers. Plants reach 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 ½ feet wide. Shorter varieties such as ‘Goldilocks’ and ‘Toto’ top out at 10 inches tall.

·        Coreopsis

Fluffy, golden yellow blooms atop tall stems. 'Sunray' is a dense, compact selection with double and semi-double flowers.

·        Dahlia

Bold blooms in a range of vibrant colors grow from tuberous roots. We planted pink and coral decorative dahlias and a red-and-yellow, cactus-flowered variety. Provide light shade in hot areas.

·        Gaura

White flowers cluster like butterflies atop tall spikes on these airy 2½- to 4-foot-tall plants. Selected forms include 'Siskiyou Pink' (to 2 feet tall), with rose-pink flowers and 'Whirling Butterflies' (to 3 feet tall), with white flowers.

·        Moonshine' yarrow

One of the most carefree and generous bloomers, yarrow has tight clusters of deep yellow flowers on 2-foot tall plants

·        Penstemon

These bushy plants are fairly short lived, but to make up for it, they produce lots of trumpet-shaped blooms over a long period.

Deep purple ‘Midnight’ and scarlet ‘Firebird’ are standouts for their vivid, south-of-the-border colors.

        ·         Hidcote’ English Lavender

‘Hidcote’ has a compact form that grows 12 to 18 inches tall. Its slender flower spikes are tipped with a few inches of tightly bunched, dark blue-purple flowers.

Do know any other flower that grows in the summer? Which one is your favourite? J

Amalia Boura