When you think about sitting and relaxing in the perfect summer garden, what comes to mind? 

For me, I envision a full, lush garden filled with oversized flowers and mammoth leaves.

There is just something to be said about a more tropical look in the summer.

Here are four of my favourite summer beauties that will add some “wow” to your garden.

Butterfly bush (Buddleia)

Butterfly bushes are summer-blooming, deciduous shrubs that have been around for some time. 

Their claim to fame is their arching, fragrant flower spikes, four to eight inches long, ranging in colour from white, to yellow, and through all shades of pinks and purples. 

This sun-loving shrub starts to bloom mid-to-late July and continue to bloom into September. As the name suggests, they do indeed attract butterflies. 

There are some new, exciting cultivars available. There are now many dwarf varieties available in the “Pugster” and “Lo & Behold” series that only grow two to three feet tall. 

Another variety that has caught my attention is a cultivar called “Grand Cascade,” sporting 12-to-14-inch-long fragrant lavender flowers starting late July.

Bear’s breeches (Acanthus mollis)

This perennial plant is probably more widely known for its large leaves than its flowers, but both its leaves and flowers pack a punch in the garden. 

The large thistle-like leaves have long been used by the Greeks since the fifth century BC on temple roof ornaments, wall friezes and the capital of the Corinthian column.

One of the best examples of its use in the Corinthian order is the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens. 

Not only do the leaves add a certain lushness to the garden, but it also has tall, architectural spikes of purple and white flowers that will grow anywhere from four to six feet tall. 

Bear’s breeches grow best in part shade and enjoy a soil rich in organic matter. They are hardy to zone 5.

Perennial hibiscus (Hibiscus)

Another summer blooming perennial that will add fullness to your landscape is the perennial hibiscus. 

Many of us have a tropical (indoor) hibiscus or know of rose of Sharon, which is also in the hibiscus family, but there is a perennial form that is hardy to zone 5. 

Sometimes you will hear it being referred to as the dinner plate hibiscus as the flowers are about the size of a dinner plate (eight to 10 inches across). 

There are many varieties of perennial hibiscus in shades of whites, pinks and reds. Most cultivars will grow three to four feet high and wide. There are also some dwarf varieties available as well. 

Perennial hibiscus plants prefer a sunny spot in the garden. Although they can tolerate a moist to wet area, they also do well in regular soil. 

Each flower only lasts for one day, but as the plant matures it can produce at least 80 flower buds. 

They all do not open at once, but gradually over three to four weeks, giving it a long bloom time.  

Hostas

Shady gardens are always a bit more challenging to design. It does limit your choices of plants. 

One sure way of getting the full look is the use of hostas. They can make a hard-to-landscape area a lush paradise.

There are some amazing large-leaf varieties to choose from. One of the largest growing varieties is one called “Empress Wu,” which will grow four feet high and six feet wide.

Another hosta that I use a lot in designs is “Sum & Substance,” which is a lemon-yellow in colour and grows two to three feet tall and three to four feet wide. 

Some large, blue leaf hostas are “Elegans” and “Big Daddy.” There are many different varieties to choose from.

So, if your garden is lacking that summer lushness, consider adding plants that offer large blooms or leaves to add some “wow” into your landscape.

Joanne Young is a Niagara-on-the-Lake garden expert and coach. See her website at joanneyoung.ca