There are two inescapable elements of the midsummer garden that we all face in July, the onset of drier weather and that relentless sunlight that seems to wash out all those pastel flower colours. While a little hand watering will keep that foliar scorch at bay, the latter issue is more about the plant varieties we choose.

So here are a few of my favourites, perennials that beat the heat with flowers that stand up to Sol’s overbearing beams.

Agapanthus ‘Blue Triumphator’

Blue Nile Lily is a stunning architectural perennial in its own right, whether planted in a foundation bed or grown as a solitary container specimen, where it doesn’t mind being a bit pot-bound. ‘Blue Triumphator’ in particular features tall scapes of medium blue spherical umbels that readily create a tropical aesthetic that lasts from July through to September. Grows 40” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 7.

📸 MK Lascelle

x Digiplexis ‘Illumination Flame’

An unusual bigeneric cross of our hardy common Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and a more tropical relation, Isoplexis canariensis, with very intricate flower spikes that are borne continuously from late spring to early autumn. The two most common varieties are ‘Berry Canary’ (hot pink) and ‘Illumination Flame’ (magenta with an orange throat) which both hold up well in the summer sun. Grows 24-36” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 8.

📸 MK Lascelle

Leucanthemum ‘Real Sunbeam’ 

This is not your everyday boring Shasta Daisy, as ‘Real Sunbeam’ has semi-double flowers that emerge a rich golden and mature to butter yellow, giving a lovely two-tone effect. The petals are nicely contrasted by dark amber centres and with a little deadheading, you can expect a bloom period of late June through to September. Grows 18-20” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.

📸 MK Lascelle

Perovskia ‘Lacey Blue’

The species Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) has been changed to Salvia yangii, but until the retail plant tags reflect this alteration, I’ll be using the more common archaic nomenclature. Perovskia is well known for being drought tolerant and deer resistant, and the variety ‘Lacey Blue’ is more compact with slightly deeper lavender-blue flowers that the bees adore. Grows 18-24” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

Veronica ‘Ronica Fuchsia’

The Speedwells or Veronica are enjoying a bit of a renaissance right now, with many new varieties and colour forms. ‘Ronica Fuchsia’ features showy spires of fuchsia pink that will draw in bees, hummingbirds and butterflies. It readily adapts to container culture and will keep blooming from late spring to early fall with regular deadheading. Grows 10-14” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

Crocosmia ‘Emberglow’

An old standard that grows from bulbs (actually corms) that prefers rich well-drained soils and provides fiery orange blooms for 5-8 weeks midsummer. Hummingbirds find them irresistible, although clumps should be divided in early spring or fall every 3-4 years to keep them in top flowering form. Grows 2-3’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 6.

📸 MK Lascelle

Lavandula angustifolia ‘BeeZee Dark Blue’

A newer cultivar of English Lavender which is somewhat similar to ‘Hidcote’ with dark purplish-blue flowers held from midsummer to early autumn on a compact plant with greyish-green foliage. Once the blooms have been enjoyed by the bees, you can harvest the remaining buds for potpourri or even culinary purposes but use them sparingly as they are strongly flavoured. Grows 12-18” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.

📸 MK Lascelle

Liatris spicata

An eastern North American native commonly found in prairies or moist meadows, this easy to grow perennial emerges from underground corms which are overwintered. Elegant spires of purplish pink are borne from July to August and are much favoured by butterflies. Pair this one with Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ for a long-lasting perennial display. Grows 2-4’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 3. 

📸 MK Lascelle

Of course, flower colour goes a long way to brighten our summer borders and planters, but let’s not forget that foliage should also play a prominent role in providing that contrast which draws the eye. With that in mind, here are two low-lying succulents that will definitely bring a little star power to your rock garden or alpine troughs.

Sedum ‘Boogie Woogie’

A newer stonecrop introduction from Proven Winner’s Rock ‘n Low series which reminds me a lot of ‘Atlantis’ with its highly attractive serrated green leaves edged with cream margins. Things get even more appealing in early summer with the appearance of bright yellow flowers held just above the foliage. Grows 6-8” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 3. 

📸 MK Lascelle

Sempervivum ‘Alpha’ 

I stumbled upon this particular variety while doing a little in-person shopping at a local wholesale perennial nursery. Each tight rosette (which mature at about 3” across) of rich green was surrounded by a coppery-red halo making for a beautiful foliage tapestry, even as a solitary planting. Grows 3” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.

📸 MK Lascelle

Of course, there are many more colourful heat-tolerant perennials available, like the ‘Frans Hals’ Daylily shown in this blog’s cover photo, so if you would like to see a few more options in person, come pay us a visit at Amsterdam Garden Centre.

Copyright 2026 MK Lascelle