Tips for Growing Flowers and Vegetables All Summer Long

 5 Beautiful Flowering Plants - Expert 

A lush and colorful garden can look healthy and beautiful when given the right support. Pruning and deadheading plants will encourage new growth, stems and fruit to give the plant the support it needs, increasing the chances of a proud crop. If you're wondering which flowering plants are needed this time of year, some may surprise you.

1. Delphinium

The tall stature and bold sparkles of delphinium plants are desirable all summer long. In borders or containers, these cottage garden plants are stunning. To ensure healthy growth, they need support and protection from the elements: 'These are tall, beautiful flower spikes, very vulnerable to wind and heavy rain,'

Their hollow, brittle stems will break if not stored. 'Take strong stakes and place them close to the plant, securing the stems gently but firmly,' says Samuel. Part of caring for delphinium plants is providing proper support for this flower during the summer months, but make sure you do so in anticipation of their growth.

2. Sunflower

The cheerful mood of sunflowers can lift the mood of every backyard space. However, a wonderful strike full of sunflower seeds - a joy to harvest in subsequent years - can be troublesome for its stem.

'Storing may be necessary as sunflowers are very tall and the flowers are heavy,' says Samuel. How much support sunflowers need depends on the variety: 'A good stake is enough for one plant. The stem should be loose for both growth and movement.' Check how tall yours can grow so you're prepared.

3. Peonies

There's nothing quite like observing the intricate petal arrangement of peonies on long summer days. Cages are often used for this elegant flower because peonies need support to stand tall.

"Pot-grown peonies and lilies need extra support to display their glorious blooms upright," Victoria continues. When growing peonies in beds or containers, it's important to be hands-on to prevent pests and problems, allowing them to grow to their full height even in strong winds and rain.

4. Asters

There are also flowering plants that don't have much chance. As mentioned, some lily varieties can benefit from stocking (canna lilies are happily grown). Some aster varieties, for example, (especially tall plants), may do better with some support when in borders or summer containers.

Asters make beautiful summer blooms for those who want bright pops of color to brighten up their outdoor space until the change of season comes when tonal fall planting takes precedence. 'For potted asters and Michaelmas daisies, I like to use natural-looking supports such as branches to blend in with the plant while standing tall in autumn,' says Victoria.

5. Dahlias

Dahlias are welcome additions to all outdoor spaces and their colorful blooms will happily fill a backyard or small patio, as dahlias can be grown not only in the ground but also in pots. According to the American Dahlia Society there are currently 42 'recognized' dahlia species, with many subspecies, and each benefit from tree stakes to prevent them from collapsing. Take the orange-ornamental dahlia 'Betina Verbeek', which we can see in the flower above. Simple garden stakes like these bamboo flower support sticks on Amazon will help them grow in their beauty with everything they need.

'Because of their large and heavy flowers they need strong support,' says Samuel. Bamboo is a good support when planting so that the roots are not injured.