Planting Late?

Planting Late?

Never mind the excuses. Just thank your lucky stars tardy gardening is a project where procrastination pays off in nice late bloomers. In fact, while more common plants begin to fizzle in the heat, unusual annuals and tropical perennials peak about this time of year. They're also cheap, as nurseries clear out old stock.

Here's what's in bloom now, loves sun, and with care should last until the first frost. They'll take to any container, but New York-based landscape designer Iris Kaplow says planting in a 48-inch window box or 4-by-4-foot viewing bed makes the biggest impact on visitors.

Fan flower (Scaevola aemula)

This is a fast-growing, heat-tolerant, "workhorse" flower. A little goes a long way.


Top Tropicals

Dahlia (Dahlia cultivars)

You didn't plant the spring tubers, so buy them potted and already in flower. Save tall varieties (3 inches or more) for beds.


Cynthia Haynes

Tuberous begonia (Begonia tuberhybrida cultorum 'Non-Stop' hybrids)

In this and some other varieties, you're bound to get multiple blooms.

This Old House

Bacopa (Sutera cordata)

The billowy blooms show well in containers.

Proven Winners