5 Outdoor Summer Plants That Will Make Your Neighbors Jealous

Your back yard may be graced with plenty of beautiful flowers, but have you ever wondered what other types of plants are trending in Ontario this summer? Some of them are blooming beauties, while others provide color and texture to your outdoor space all season long. Take a look at these five gorgeous summer plants that will make your neighbors jealous when they look over your fence!

1) Yarrow

One of the most versatile plants you can plant in your lawn or garden, yarrow is a perennial (an herbaceous plant that comes back every year) that looks great and requires little maintenance. Yarrow is a striking ornamental grass native to North America, which means it doesn’t get as big as some other perennials. Because of its rounded shape and coloration, yarrow looks great when planted in clumps and makes for great landscaping around your house. Yarrow is easy to grow and maintain. It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade. To care for yarrow, all you need to do is cut off any dead flowers at their base once they’ve withered. In addition to being a lovely addition to your yard, yarrow is an excellent pollinator plant—it attracts bees!—and is known for its healing properties. There are more than 50 species of yarrow; some have been used since ancient times as herbal remedies and others are prized by gardeners for their beauty.

2) The Wandering Jew

The Wandering Jew is easy to maintain and grows fairly quickly in Ontario. This plant is a perennial and is great for landscaping or home garden use. It’s also very low maintenance and will take care of itself without much help from you. In fact, it’s been shown that The Wandering Jew is actually good for pollinators like bees, which are on a bit of a decline in Ontario these days. If you want to make your neighbors jealous, try planting some The Wandering Jew around your lawn! Not only will they be envious of how beautiful your lawn looks, but they’ll also love knowing their kids are getting healthy doses of vitamins by playing outside! Planting should begin in May (or early June if things have gotten really dry) and watering should be done once every two weeks.

3) Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bush (Buddleia) is a flowering perennial that attracts butterflies and pollinators throughout summer. Butterfly bush grows quickly to heights of 3-4 feet and spreads up to 8 feet, making it ideal for use as a border or screening plant. Butterfly bush is considered pest-free and easy to care for, and will attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and more. Plant your butterfly bush in full sun or partial shade.

4) Orchid Cactus

Orchid cactus, also known as Schlumbergera or Thanksgiving cactus, is extremely easy to care for and makes a great plant for outdoor summer gardens. Orchid cactus are pollinated by bees and have bright, vibrant flowers which makes them attractive additions to any garden or patio.

5) Russian Sage

This perennial shrub will fill your garden with clouds of purple flowers from late summer to fall. It’s a great plant for attracting pollinators and bees. You can even harvest a few leaves here and there to mix into an evening tea that’s said to soothe tension headaches. Russian sage is also very durable, requiring very little care and maintenance.