June has arrived and what a fabulous month it is for gardeners. Our shrubs and lawns are growing with vigor, and with any luck, our seedlings have established and are maturing into strong plants.
June is also a time when spring bulbs, flowering shrubs such as snowball viburnum, and blossom on the trees have died off, leaving space for perennial flowers to begin blooming and continue the floral show in your garden for the months ahead.
It's not too late to plant perennials in June, as the heat of summer has not yet reached its peak. Here, we share seven of the best perennial flowers to plant in June, for a solid investment in your backyard.
To sow or plant perennial flowers in June?
While it is still possible to start some perennial flowers in June from seed, you will get more out of them if you buy young plants from the garden center or nursery, as you'll have more time to enjoy their blooms this season.
There are some fast-growing perennials, however, which would still flower well if sown directly into prepared flower beds in June – but you'd need to get them in early.
1. Scabious
Pin cushion flowers, also known as scabious or Scabiosa, are glorious perennial flowers with long curvaceous stems that are topped with circular blooms. The flower heads comprise lots of thin, narrow petals surrounded by small ruffled collars, giving it the appearance of a pin cushion.
Its buds are also very attractive and when fall comes, these heads take on a structural sphere shape, making them one of the best perennials in terms of interest and longevity in the garden.
They come in shades of white, lilac, purple, pink, and burgundy and enjoy a full sun position. They are also a great bloom to grow in a container, giving height and movement to a patio or porch display. If you have enough heat they will bloom from seed in approximately three months. You can also find scabious starter plants like this set of three from Walmart.
USDA hardiness zones 3-8.
2. Asclepia
Asclepia, more commonly known as milkweed, is very popular for its ability to attract pollinators, particularly the monarch butterfly, as well as bees and hummingbirds. Its name comes from the milk-like sap that oozes from its stem if damaged or leaves are removed.
These plants can grow up to five feet, and are topped with a mass of delicate, star-shaped flowers. There are more than 100 species milkweed native to the US and Canada. They are divided into several different types, which include common milkweed, butterfly weed and swamp milkweed.
Asclepia prefers full sun, but will tolerate average soil conditions, and once established it is very low maintenance. For the best chance of seeing blooms covered in pollinators, buy starter plants in June.
USDA hardiness zones 3-9.
3. Echinops
If structure and form are important to you in your backyard, planting echinops – or globe thistles – is a must.
These true blue flower spheres grow on rather spiky, bushy foliage, but delight in their ball-shaped flowers and seedheads that follow. Its leaves make it a great deer-resistant plant. Globe thistles love full sun, and are pretty hardy in drought conditions.
They are also fast-growing, so if you want to try starting some from seed in early June you will still have the chance. They flower up until September, so you should still get 6 weeks of blooms, provided plants get enough heat. You can find globe thistle seeds at Amazon.
USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
4. Anise Hyssop
Anise hyssop, also known as Agastache foeniculum, belongs to the mint family and is native to the US and parts of Asia.
It is a hardy perennial, can tolerate poor soil and drought, doesn't really need fertilizing, and is very low maintenance. It can produce dense clusters of flowers, and may require some cutting back to keep it from spreading too far into other areas of your yard.
It does need good drainage, however, so if you live in a climate that experiences wet winters, consider adding gravel to the soil to help prevent roots from rotting.
US hardiness zones 3-10.
5. Shasta Daisy
Perhaps one of the humblest of the native US perennials, Shasta daisies are also incredibly hard-working and will give your garden a delightful, frothy lift in summertime.
Unlike the daisy flowers we tend to see growing in lawns, these plants can grow up to four feet tall. The Shasta daisy was bred by American horticulturist Luther Burbank, and is a hybrid of several other Leucanthemum cultivars. It is named after the snow-capped mountains of Mount Shasta in California.
Choose starter plants to ensure you get flowers this year. By deadheading Shasta daisies, you can encourage more of these diminutive blooms throughout summer and extend its flowering season by several weeks. Plants like full sun or part shade, and very good drainage. Larger shrubs may require staking to support them during peak growing season. You can propagate them by division in early spring. You can find starter Shasta daisy plants at Walmart.
USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
6. Joe Pie Weed
Eutrochium purpureum, more commonly referred to as Joe pie weed, is a vigorous US native plant, and once established in your yard it will be a magnet for bees and other pollinators.
It can grow to colossal heights - up to eight feet if left unchecked – so make sure you have enough space for this plant before introducing it to your backyard. Maintain regular pruning if you don't want it to grow too large.
Joe pie weed makes a great flood-resilient plant, as it thrives in boggier soil. It's also an ideal plant if you're looking to create a perennial wildflower meadow.
USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
7. Satin flower
Sisyrinchium striatum – also known as pale yellow-eyed grass or satin flower, both of which are easier to pronounce than its Latin name - is starting to appear in gardens around the country right about now. It grows thin spire-like stems, along which are dotted clusters of small, creamy yellow flowers.
This clump-forming perennial loves a sunny spot and prefers well-drained soil.
If you like structural plants, or more unusual cut flower varieties, this is a great option. It also has a tendency to self-seed, which is good news if you want to expand your plant collection for free.
USDA hardiness zones 5-9.
Shop your essential gardening kit
These gloves are made with cowhide leather, making them durable and protective for all gardening jobs. The adjustable fastening is a great feature, too.
I wouldn't be without a knee pad cushion for so many gardening tasks. It's thick and extra large for added comfort when tending to flower beds.
This is the perfect tool for planting up starter perennials, making it quick and easy to get your plants into the ground.
If you're inspired by some of these versatile perennial flowers to plant in June, why not discover how to get even more out of your garden flowers, with our guides on what to do with foxgloves after they finish flowering, and how to water roses the right way.
