“Anyone who plants anything in Dayton, Ohio, in the next six weeks had better have a watering hose — period,” he said.
Hostas
For a perennial that requires little care, try hostas in a plethora of leaf colors, leaf textures and bloom colors.
“Hostas are fantastic,” said Kathy Matousch, assistant manager at Siebenthaler’s Centerville store. “There are so many variations in leaf color, leaf texture and bloom color.”
Kossoudji said he often steers customers toward the leafy plant as well.
“For shade, we always recommend the hostas,” Kossoudji said. “They’re very easy to care for, and there are probably 600 varieties.”
Daylilies
Available in red, orange, yellow, pink and purple varieties, daylilies thrive in sunny or part-sun areas and can tolerate drier weather better than most other plants.
“Daylilies always do well in a drought, and they can handle a lot of heat,” said Lois Henn, who handles the perennials at Grandma’s Gardens.
While most buds bloom for only a day, some varieties have flower stalks — called stakes — that contain multiple buds, meaning your garden will be lush with blooms for a while, according to Better Homes and Gardens.
Geraniums
While typically classified as annuals, geraniums are actually perennials in some climates. They are considered one of the most versatile plants, able to grow in flower beds and containers alike with minimal water.
“They flower from spring to October and don’t seem to mind dry soil,” Matousch said. “And they actually tend to do better in hot weather.”
For a touch of spring year-round, bring them inside and keep near a window.
Marigolds
These cheery bright flowers are a good bet for a hassle-free flower bed, Kossoudji says: “It’s a tough plant that will stay pretty all summer long.”
But they’re not just bright yellow; look for red and orange too. Your garden may soon become a favorite for butterflies.
Echinacea
Better known as cone flowers, enchinacea come in several colors, with purple and yellow being prairie flowers native to this region, Henn said. They also can be found in reds, oranges, purples, whites and pinks.
“We have hot papaya, a red-orange, in our test garden. We can’t keep it off the shelves,” Henn said.
Begonias
When it comes to low-maintenance annuals, begonias are a top choice. Plant in any area — sun, part-sun, shade — and give them a copious amount of water, but be sure to keep the soil sufficiently drained.
“Begonias as a family tend to do well in drier soil, as opposed to impatiens, which need a bit more water,” Matousch said.
Hydrangeas
A favorite for table centerpieces, hydrangeas are ideal for brightening your backyard, too. They flourish in shade or partial shade and offer huge blossoms.
“The Forever and Ever hydrangea series bloom like crazy in the summer and do well in the shade,” Kossoudji said.
Other versatile plants recommended include Coreopsis, Junipers, Sedum, Vinca and Yarrow.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2293 or nknoth @DaytonDailyNews.com
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