The Chaste tree is commonly known as the Sage tree as it produces highly fragrant leaves in a unique shade of pale purple. The flowers of this tree would hold their place throughout the warm months of summer. A Chaste tree is a deer-resistant tree that would grow well through zones 6 to 9.
Magnolias seem to both live a long time (you can get 100+ year old trees), and stay in bloom a long time (depending on the year, of course). Dogwood trees as well, though not quite as long lived, seem to be in flower almost a month sometimes. Some species of both magnolia and dogwood are particularly long-blooming.
Other summer blooming trees to consider are Stewartia (Stewartia spp.), Yellowhorn (Xanthocerus sorbifolium), Sweetbay (Magnolia), Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Chinese Chestnut (Castanea), Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), and Amur Maackia (Maackia amurensis).
Bloomerang Lilac Dark Purple
Since the flowers of Bloomerang Lilacs grow on new and old wood you are more likely to have blooms every year and lots of them!
Verbena is a low-maintenance plant that blooms all year round, attracting butterflies and pollinators with its clusters of tiny, colorful flowers. These plants thrive in sunny spots and are perfect for gardens or hanging baskets.
Don't settle for lilacs that bloom just once a year - get Bloomerang® lilac and enjoy months of blooms instead of just weeks. Bloomerang Purple lilac is the original reblooming lilac. It blooms in spring along with other lilacs, takes a brief rest to put on new growth, then blooms again from mid-summer through fall.
DAYLILY (Hemerocallis spp.)
One of the most popular summer-flowering perennials, there are thousands of different daylily varieties in an endless array of flower colors and shapes.
Purple Coneflower
A patch of these tall flowers can add color to your garden all summer long. They're easy to grow in almost any soil, as long as it's not wet. The drought-resistant blooms attract pollinators to your yard. Deadhead purple coneflowers to encourage new growth.
Think of a butterfly bush as a summer-flowering lilac. Its blossoms appear in similar colors (purple, lavender, blue, pink, and white) and are deliciously fragrant. Butterfly Bushes will bloom from summer into autumn, especially if you deadhead the old flower clusters as they start to fade.
The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a fast grower that establishes easily, making it a perfect low-maintenance option. "It stands tall with a distinctive upright form," says Canney. "Its name comes from its tulip-shaped flowers, and both these blooms and its unique leaves make it popular in landscapes."
With blooms that form in early summer and last all the way until the end of fall, 'Moonbeam' is the definition of a long blooming perennial. Winner of the 1992 Perennial Plant of the Year award, 'Moonbeam' is a tried and tested groundcover that will provide multiple seasons of bloom in your perennial garden.
The rate of growth for Sequoias never slows and this is over a natural lifetime that can span thousands of years. They continue to add layers at the same rate throughout their long life so that as they grow in height and girth they incrementally layer on more wood every year.
"Lantana thrives in hot, dry sun, won't be eaten by rabbits or deer, invites hummingbirds and pollinators, doesn't need deadheading, and actually blooms all summer," says PeggyAnne Montgomery, horticulturist and bulb expert for Flowerbulbs.com.
"Deadhead" your annuals to encourage continued growth of more flowers all season long. With annuals, use a pair of snips or your fingers to pinch off the entire spent bloom. You don't have to deadhead perennials, but you can snip or pinch off dead flowers to make plants look more pleasing and encourage bushier growth.
French lavender (Lavandula dentata) : Hardy only in zones 8 and 9, French lavender is grown as an annual in cooler climates. In warm climates, it blooms continuously from early summer through autumn and can bloom year-round in its hardiness zones.
Young lilacs can be lightly pruned to keep them in shape, within bounds, and producing abundant flowers. Older plants may require a hard pruning almost to the ground to rejuvenate the plant and produce more flowers. Flower buds on early blooming varieties can be damaged by a late freeze.
Lilacs come from the Middle East and can be in the form of either a tree or a shrub. They catch everyone's attention with their numerous clusters of odorous flowers. Trees are more delicate than shrubs, which are usually smaller and more compact.
We believe this is a butterfly bush or summer lilac. They are butterfly magnets, however, it is not a native shrub and can be invasive as it self seeds regularly. In cold climates it can sometimes be an unreliable shrub as it may suffer winter damage and not return consistently.