Is August a great time to grow flowering plants? You bet!

The warm temperatures, ample sunlight, favorable soil conditions, adequate rainfall, and reduced pest and disease activity all contribute to making August a prime time for growing flowering plants. These factors collectively create an environment that supports healthy growth and vibrant blooms.

August is often marked by ample sunlight. Flowering plants thrive in such environments, as they require sunlight for photosynthesis, the process through which they produce food and energy.

Additionally, the soil in August is generally warm, which benefits root development. Warm soil helps roots to establish more quickly and efficiently, ensuring that the plants receive the necessary nutrients and water from the ground. This robust root growth supports healthier and more resilient plants.

In many regions, August brings consistent and moderate rainfall. This natural watering helps maintain the soil’s moisture level, which is crucial for the growth of flowering plants. Consistent moisture in the soil aids in nutrient absorption, helping plants to grow strong and vibrant.

August also provides an ideal transition period before the cooler autumn months. Planting in August gives flowering plants enough time to mature and blossom before the temperatures drop. This ensures that they can fully develop and produce beautiful flowers that can be enjoyed throughout the late summer and into early fall.

8 Best Flowering Plants To Grow in August

Dahlia

Dahlias thrive in warm weather. August provides warm days and cool nights, creating the perfect environment for their growth. The month also comes with long days with plenty of sunlight, essential for dahlias’ photosynthesis. This helps them grow strong and produce vibrant blooms.

Planting dahlias in August allows them to bloom before the cooler autumn weather sets in. This timing ensures that they can fully develop and produce beautiful flowers to be enjoyed throughout the late summer and early fall.

Salvia

Long days with ample sunshine ensure that Salvia gets the light it needs for optimal growth and flowering. Salvia plants are known for their ability to withstand high temperatures.

When sowing salvia, space the plants adequately to allow for air circulation. This helps prevent disease and promotes healthy growth. Typically, planting Salvia about 12 to 18 inches apart is ideal. Water the plants deeply but infrequently. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s essential to avoid waterlogged soil.

Salvia is relatively drought-resistant, making it suitable for the often dry conditions in August. This means less frequent watering is needed compared to other plants, making it easier to maintain.

Regularly prune spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Deadheading spent blooms redirects the plant’s energy into producing more flowers rather than seeds. Feed Salvia with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nutrients can lead to leggy growth with fewer flowers.

Zinnia

Zinnia is a vibrant and hardy plant that thrives in the warm conditions typical of late summer, making it an ideal choice for gardeners during this month.

Zinnias grow quickly and can start blooming just a few weeks after planting. This means that even when planted in August, they will have enough time to display their beautiful flowers before the end of the season. This plant is relatively drought-tolerant, which is beneficial in the often dry conditions of August. They require less frequent watering, making them easier to maintain during hot, dry spells.

When growing zinnias, be sure to water at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can cause root rot and other issues.

Nigella

Nigella, also known as Love-in-a-Mist, is a wonderful flowering plant that grows in August. This charming plant is valued for its delicate, lacy foliage and unique, beautiful flowers, making it a delightful addition to any garden during the late summer months.

Nigella requires full sun to produce its best blooms. August offers long, bright days with plenty of warmth, ensuring Nigella gets the light it needs to flourish. This plant has a relatively fast growth cycle. When planted in August, it can quickly grow and bloom, providing beautiful flowers before the cooler autumn weather sets in. Nigella is known for its ability to self-seed. Once planted, it can continue to grow year after year with minimal effort from the gardener.

Sow Nigella seeds directly into the garden in a sunny location. Space the seeds about 6 inches apart. Lightly cover them with soil and water gently. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Nigella does not tolerate drought well, so regular watering is important, especially during dry spells in August.

Once the seedlings have grown a few inches tall, thin them to ensure they have enough space to grow. Proper spacing helps promote healthy growth and reduces competition for nutrients. Apply a thin layer of mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Chrysanthemum

Known for its stunning blooms in a variety of colors, Chrysanthemum adds beauty and vibrancy to any garden, especially during the summer and fall. These are late bloomers, typically flowering in the fall. Planting them in August gives them enough time to establish and prepare for their peak blooming period. The warm days help the plants grow robustly, setting the stage for a beautiful display in the coming months.

Chrysanthemums come in many varieties, each with different colors and flower forms. This diversity allows you to choose types that best fit your aesthetic preferences and garden design.

Before sowing Chrysanthemum, amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve its fertility and drainage. Space the plants about 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. This spacing helps prevent diseases and promotes healthy growth. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging.

Pinch back the growing tips of Chrysanthemums in early August to encourage bushier growth and more abundant blooms. This involves removing the top inch or two of the plant. Tall varieties of Chrysanthemums may need staking to support their blooms. Use stakes or plant supports to keep the plants upright and prevent them from flopping over.

Garden Cosmos

With their daisy-like blooms and feathery foliage, Garden Cosmos adds a splash of color to any garden, making it a delightful choice for late summer planting. Its ability to withstand high temperatures ensures robust growth during this month. In fact, garden Cosmos requires the full sun to produce abundant and vibrant blooms.

August’s long days and ample sunshine provide the perfect conditions for this plant to flourish. Cosmos are also relatively drought-resistant, which is beneficial during the typically dry conditions of August. This makes it easier to maintain with less frequent watering.

Cosmos grows quickly, often blooming within a few weeks of planting. This means that even when sown in August, it will have enough time to display its beautiful flowers before the end of the season.

Some taller varieties of Cosmos may require staking to keep them upright, especially in windy conditions. Use stakes or plant supports as needed. Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.

Aster

Aster is a great flowering plant to grow in August because it brightens gardens with its colorful blooms when many other plants have finished flowering. This hardy perennial is known for its daisy-shaped flowers in lovely shades of purple, pink, blue, and white. Blooming from late summer through fall, Asters add fresh beauty to any garden and attract helpful insects such as bees and butterflies.

Asters are particularly good for August planting due to their resilience. They thrive in various soil types and are quite drought-resistant once they are well-established. Asters do best in full sun but can also grow in partial shade, making them adaptable to different garden environments. Depending on the variety, they can grow tall, up to six feet, or stay small, perfect for garden edges or pots.

Asters can be quite thirsty, especially during hot days, so water them regularly, especially during dry periods. Be careful not to overwater, as they dislike wet soil. Watering at the base of the plant helps prevent diseases by keeping the leaves dry. Also, spread a layer of mulch around the plants to retain moisture in the soil.

Pansies

Known for their cheerful, face-like blooms, pansies come in a wide range of colors, including purple, yellow, blue, and white, adding a burst of brightness to any garden space. As a hardy plant, pansies are quite resilient, able to survive light frosts and the full sun. That said, pansies prefer cooler conditions, so they are best grown in a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade.

Pansies are also versatile and can be planted in garden beds, borders, or containers, adapting well to different garden designs. They do need water-soluble fertilizer every two to three weeks to guarantee optimal blooming.

To ensure continuous blooming, deadhead when needed. Remove spent flowers to encourage the plant to produce new blooms. This keeps the plants looking neat and extends their flowering period.

Gardening Tips for Growing Flowering Plants in August

Sowing flowering plants in August involves several important considerations to ensure healthy growth and vibrant blooms.

Weather Conditions: August can bring variable weather, with hot days and cooler nights. Choose flowering plants that can tolerate these fluctuations. Plants that thrive in cooler temperatures, such as pansies and asters, are excellent choices for late summer planting. Keep an eye on the forecast and be prepared to protect young seedlings from unexpected heat or cold snaps.

Soil Preparation: Proper soil preparation is essential for successful sowing. Start by clearing the area of weeds and debris. Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches and mix in organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. This improves soil structure, fertility, and drainage, providing a strong foundation for the plants.

Watering: Consistent watering is crucial during the initial growth stages. Ensure the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and give plants time to absorb moisture before the heat of the day. Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system can help provide even moisture without wetting the foliage, which reduces the risk of disease.

Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Mulch also helps protect plant roots from temperature extremes and reduces the need for frequent watering.

Fertilizing: Newly sown plants benefit from regular feeding. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to provide essential nutrients. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package to avoid over-fertilizing, which can harm young plants.

Pest and Disease Control: Watch out for pests and diseases, which can be more prevalent in late summer. Inspect plants regularly and address any issues promptly. Use natural or chemical treatments as necessary, following guidelines to protect beneficial insects and the environment.

Plant Spacing: Proper spacing is important to ensure good air circulation, which helps prevent disease and allows plants to grow without competition for resources. Follow recommended spacing guidelines for each plant variety.
As summer transitions to fall, pay attention to the changing weather conditions and adjust accordingly. By addressing these gardening concerns and having the right garden supplies, you can look forward to a vibrant flower garden from late summer to early fall!