Close Menu
  • Home
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • THINGS TO DO
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • Contact
Facebook
Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Niceville.com
Niceville.com
Home»HOME & GARDEN»Easy to grow plants for summer color | LARRY WILLIAMS
HOME & GARDEN

Easy to grow plants for summer color | LARRY WILLIAMS

NicevilleJuly 10, 2014Updated:September 17, 20143 Mins Read
niceville larry williams
Larry Williams,UF/IFAS Extension Agent, Okaloosa County.

The hot summer months can provide vivid color in your landscape if you select and plant the right plants. And the following fairly easy to grow plants are described in today’s article by David Marshall, retired University of Florida Extension Agent.

Daylilies are not foolproof but they are well suited to North Florida’s climate. There are many types of daylilies, in multiple colors, shapes and sizes. They will grow in full sun or partial shade. Some flower repeatedly during the flowering season. Daylily rust can be a recurring, bothersome disease in some situations.

Butterfly bush or Buddleia is so named because of its attractiveness to butterflies. Butterfly bush has flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue or white, depending on the cultivar. Most cultivars grow to a height of about four feet with an equal spread. Butterfly bush grows best in full sun but will still flower in filtered sunlight.

‘Homestead Purple’ verbena is one of the toughest perennials around. The flowers are vibrant purple and the growth habit of the plant is that of a spreading groundcover. Full sun is needed for flowering. Other perennial verbenas are available in pink and white.

Lantana is a tough perennial for our area. Lantana comes in either groundcover types or bush types. Flowers vary from bright gold to orange to magenta, depending on the cultivar, and some have variegated foliage. Lantana is very attractive to butterflies. It needs full sun to flower well.

The old, wild type of lantana that produces berries or seeds is somewhat of a problem because of its invasiveness. Berry-producing types have the potential problem of seeding and taking over habitat from native plants. However, some of the newer lantana cultivars that don’t produce seed should not be a problem in terms of invasiveness.

Jacobinia (Justicia carnea) is a perennial that flowers well in shade. The most common jacobinia has pink, plume-shaped flowers. But there is a white-flowering form. Jacobinia grows to two or three feet tall.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a native perennial with flowers that are actually more pink than purple. The centers of the flowers are gold-colored cones, thus giving the flower its common name. Purple coneflowers grow two to three feet tall. They flower best in full sun but will tolerate a little shade. There are many new coneflower cultivars with an almost rainbow of colors from which to choose.

There are many species and hybrids of salvias that can be grown as perennials here. Based on the cultivar, there are many flower colors, including red, blue to purple and yellow.

Larry Williams, UF/IFAS Extension Agent, Okaloosa County, July 10, 2014

Thank you for visiting our Web site! Please take a look at our Home Page for more local coverage of life in the Nicest Little City in the South.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleTomato troubles in north Florida | LARRY WILLIAMS
Next Article Pickleworms, stinkbugs & leaffooted bugs in the summer garden | LARRY WILLIAMS

Related Posts

Larry Williams, Residential Horticulture Agent with the Okaloosa County Extension, University of Florida/IFAS

UF turf expert to teach proper watering for lawns at Crestview seminar

April 8, 2025
A cropped termite distribution map of Florida showing termite activity across the state.

UF offers real-time termite map as invasive species threaten Florida homes

March 23, 2025
A close-up of ferns growing inside the hollow of a fallen log in a forest setting, with sunlight casting shadows on the dead wood.

UF campaign promotes ecological benefits of dead wood in Florida yards

March 9, 2025
Smiling woman in SUV with surfboards on top promoting auto loan rates
Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
Smiling woman in SUV with surfboards on top promoting auto loan rates
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
  • EGLIN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
  • EYEWEAR UNLIMITED
  • HAIR EXPRESS
  • MIDBAY VETERINARY HOSPITAL
  • NICEVILLE FARMERS MARKET
  • NICEVILLE INSURANCE AGENCY
  • RUCKEL PROPERTIES, INC.
  • THE WHARF 850
Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
A square digital ad for Midbay Veterinary Hospital with multiple dogs of different breeds, a blue veterinary cross logo, Dr. Maya Chapman’s contact information, and a “Click” button for scheduling an appointment.

ABOUT NICEVILLE.COM

PRIVACY POLICY

TERMS OF SERVICE

© 2025 Niceville.com. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.