Summer Stars: The Best Bloomers for Color All Season Long

Donaldson’s Picks for Nonstop Garden Color

Summer in New Jersey means long days, warm nights, and gardens bursting with life. At Donaldson’s Greenhouse & Nursery, we believe your landscape should be just as vibrant in August as it was in June. That’s why we’re spotlighting summer’s most reliable bloomers — plants that just don’t quit.

From brilliant annuals to hardworking perennials and repeat-blooming shrubs, here are our favorite “summer stars” for non-stop color.

🌼 Annuals That Bloom Their Hearts Out

These one-season wonders are all about show — and they’ll keep producing with regular care (especially deadheading!):

• Supertunias & Wave Petunias – Spilling color from baskets, boxes, and beds. Look for Proven Winners Supertunias for nonstop bloom with minimal maintenance.

• Lantana – Drought-tolerant and adored by pollinators, lantana thrives in hot, sunny spots.

• Calibrachoa (Million Bells) – Compact, colorful, and perfect for containers.

• Zinnias – Great for cutting gardens and pollinators, zinnias bloom steadily until frost.

• Begonias (especially Dragon Wing types) – Gorgeous in shade or partial sun, these stunners are reliable and fuss-free.

🌸 Perennials That Keep Coming Back (and Keep Blooming!)

Perennials typically bloom for a few weeks — but some overachievers go well beyond:

• Coreopsis – Cheerful yellow or pink daisy-like flowers that bloom for months.

• Catmint (Nepeta) – Long-blooming, fragrant, and loved by bees.

• Salvia – Rich purple or blue spikes rebloom with a mid-season trim.

• Echinacea (Coneflower) – A classic native that blooms for weeks and attracts butterflies.

• Daylilies (especially reblooming types like ‘Stella de Oro’) – Tough and endlessly sunny.

🌺 Flowering Shrubs That Keep the Show Going

Yes, shrubs can bloom all summer too — especially these:

• Hydrangeas (Panicle types like ‘Limelight’) – Panicle hydrangeas start in mid-summer and keep blooming well into fall.

• Roses (especially Knock Out® and Drift® series) – These repeat bloomers are perfect for continuous color with minimal effort.

• Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) – Fragrant spikes of blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds for weeks on end.

• Abelia – A lesser-known gem with fragrant flowers and lovely foliage into fall.

🌞 Pro Tips for Season-Long Bloom

• Fertilize regularly. Many annuals and perennials benefit from a monthly feeding — especially in containers.

• Deadhead and trim. Keep plants tidy and reblooming by removing spent flowers.

• Mulch and water consistently. This helps reduce stress and keeps roots cool and hydrated.

Whether you’re refreshing containers, filling in garden beds, or choosing long-lasting shrubs, Donaldson’s Greenhouse has everything you need to keep your yard glowing all summer. Stop in and ask us what’s blooming — we’ll help you pick out your own summer stars.