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The colors of August are now showing. Some of the most dynamic and dramatic blooms of the year show off their brilliant colors and elegant forms during the month of August. From native wildflowers and prairie grasses to voluptuous flowering shrubs, August is a spectacular time in the yard and garden.
One of my favorites of the August bloomers is hardy, or perennial, hibiscus. With dinner-plate-sized blooms in shades of pink, red and white, hardy hibiscus blooms for weeks during late summer, its spectacular beauty and large size capturing the attention of garden lovers and bloom watchers.
In addition to their spectacular blooms, hardy hibiscus often feature incredible foliage in shades of purple, near black, green, even variegated pink, green and white. The large leaves are a showpiece in the garden, even when the plant is not in bloom.
Another August bloom that truly captures the eye is cardinal flower. Native to Wisconsin, especially right here along the banks of the Wolf River and its floodplain, cardinal flower may grow 3-5 feet tall and blooms in glowing, scarlet red.
Joe-Pye weed and ironweed are closely related plants that bloom in pink and rich purple throughout the month of August. Both are exceptional pollinator plants and excellent for attracting tiger swallowtails, black swallowtails, monarchs, bumblebees and more. Even hummingbirds love the lush, feathery plumes.
Coneflowers are also classic August blooms. Native purple coneflower, along with its many garden hybrids in a variety of colors, bloom well during the heat of August, attracting butterflies, songbirds and more.
By the end of August, the turtleheads are in bloom. Rose turtlehead and classic white turtlehead bloom in our gardens, as well as wetland edges and ditches. These are another hummingbird favorite, blooming about the time hummingbird migration starts.
The many varieties of hydrangeas are also at their peak during August. By now, many of the classic panicle hydrangeas are beginning to transform to shades of pink and red. This transformation will continue throughout the month, well into September, even October.
In our prairies and native wildflower gardens, look for the many varieties of wild sunflowers that are now in full bloom. Giants such as Prairie Dock, Cup Plant and Compass Plant, most of which may grow 7-10 feet tall, as well as smaller varieties such as Prairie Coneflower, Rosinweed, False Sunflower, Woodland Sunflower and others glow in our prairies and along the forest edge.
Enjoy the beauty of August blooms for the next several weeks.
August showcases dynamic, dramatic blooms
