Top plants for summer color

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Jerusalem sage

Thomas J. Story

Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa)

Tall stems of these Mediterranean natives are set with widely-spaced, hooded yellow flowers. Moisture-conserving thick, typically furry or hairy leaves are lance-shaped. Pretty planted with lavender and red hot poker (Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’).

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Hot Cocoa rose

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‘Hot Cocoa’ rose

This floribunda rose bears red blossoms.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

'Moonshine' yarrow

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‘Moonshine’ yarrow

The sunny hues of this Mediterranean perennial complement the violet-blue spikes of catmint (Nepeta).

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

'Sally Holmes' rose

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‘Sally Holmes’ rose

A vigorous white rose, it blooms in huge clusters.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Feather reed grass

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Feather reed grass

Calamagrostis x acutiflora has a vertical growth habit and showy seed heads.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

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Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow'

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Berberis thunbergii ‘Rose Glow’

The bronzy red Japanese barberry colors up best in full sun.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes

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Cabernet Sauvignon grapes

A cluster from the Strombergs’ vineyards shows the seeded, pearl-size grapes in various stages of ripeness.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Coreopsis grandiflora 'Sunray'

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Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Sunray’

Like the rest of the sunflower family, these bright yellow >

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Pennisetum orientale

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Pennisetum orientale

A pretty, midsize (2 ft.) grass explodes with showy pink to white plumes.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Sedum telephium

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Sedum telephium

Dense summer flowers cluster on sturdy stems rising above bright green leaves. Blooms start out blush-colored, aging to coppery pink, then rust as weather cools. Pretty beside asters.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

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Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Coleonema pulchrum 'Sunset Gold' Yellow

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Coleonema pulchrum ‘Sunset Gold’ Yellow

Yellow foliage distinguishes this heathlike shrub with tiny pink flowers.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Aster cordifolius 'Little Carlow'

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Aster cordifolius ‘Little Carlow’

Deep violet-blue ants that grow 3 to 4 ft. tall.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Fountain with stone orb

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Small-scale water features

Rustic fountains help make Mediterranean-style plantings look at home among California’s golden hills. Because water is a precious resource, using it respectfully in the garden is a tradition. Something lavish would have been out of character in this drought-tolerant landscape.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Firepit and seating area

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Permeable hardscape

‘Paprika’ yarrow and ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint edge a secluded seating area. Every drop of rain that falls in this thirsty part of the country ought to go in the land. That’s one reason gravel, vs. non-permeable paving, was used throughout the garden.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Low-water shimmer

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Low-water shimmer

Fine-textured plants such as grasses reflect the sun brilliantly. Because they are used extensively in this garden, the whole landscape seems to dance with light. The garden acknowledges that blond is the natural color of summer in California. The tawny flower plumes of Calamagrostis x acutiflora (feather reed grass) match the amber hues of the hills.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

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Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Empty containers

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Empty containers

In a hot climate, planted pots are hard to maintain, but empty ones look great.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

Shade

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Shade

The best way to enjoy the sun is from a shaded location. These mature oaks shelter outdoor living areas. Swing seating under an oak is inviting on warm days.

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer

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SOURCE:http://www.sunset.com/garden/flowers-plants/sun-garden-plants-elements