Tidy, colorful, and uniquely fragrant, Allium, or ornamental onions, are stunning mid-season bloomers that shine in low sunny borders or edging and cottage gardens. Bonus: Deer and rabbit resistant!

Ornamental onions produce multiple blooms high above the foliage on leafless scapes or stems arising directly from the bulb. Blooms are spherical two- to three-inch firework-like umbels of star-shaped pink or purple flowers which bloom progressively from the outside in. After blooming, spent stalks may be removed or left to develop attractive black seed pods for winter interest, or cut for use in dried arrangements.

One of the most popular cultivars available, the heavy-blooming ‘Millennium’ glows with midseason rosy-purple blooms, blooming slightly later than ‘Windy City,’ another excellent cultivar offering a slightly more compact plant of only about 16” tall and wide with early lavender blooms atop rigid, dark green scapes.

Allium prefer full sun conditions in moist, well-drained soil, tolerant of drought and high salt conditions, but will not tolerate poorly drained soil or consistently wet conditions.

There’s nothing quite like the commanding, familiar blooms of the coneflower, Echinacea, an important North American native perennial.

Coneflowers are incredibly easy and carefree plants. While the purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, is one of the most beloved with varieties such as ‘Magnus’ and ‘Ruby Star,’ there is a rainbow of color to choose from. Add pops of bright red to the garden with ‘Kismet Red,’ large double blooms with delicate hues of orange with ‘Supreme Cantaloupe’ or brighter hues of orange with ‘Prima Saffron’ shades of pink with 'Kismet Raspberry’ or even bright yellows with ‘Kismet Yellow.’

Echinacea prefer to be planted in well-draining, dry to moderately moist soil in areas of full sun, requiring little water once established in the garden. Coneflower range in size from roughly 18-36" tall and 12-24" wide, depending on the variety, and will bloom from early summer through fall. Spent blooms may be deadheaded to encourage reblooming, however many modern varieties will continue to bloom without any additional care.

Though the purple coneflower is beloved, and for good reason, there is only one coneflower truly native to Minnesota, the narrow-leaved coneflower, Echinacea angustifolia. A smaller species, narrow-leaved coneflower matures to 18-24" tall and wide with coarse, narrow leaves and soft pink-purple blooms, blooming abundantly from early through mid-summer, with great drought tolerance once established. Narrow-leaved coneflower is a fantastic native for low sunny borders, water-wise designs, and also boulevard plantings thanks to their compact stature.

Coneflower blooms shine when massed in sunny borders, pollinator gardens, and foundation plantings. Their flowers are also a wonderful treat for pollinators like bees and butterflies, and if left to self-seed, not only can provide great winter interest, but are also a great food source for songbirds throughout the cold winter months.

Among other carefree, usual suspects brightening up gardens and making their presence known, Liatris sets itself apart from the rest, blooming a breathtaking spire of color loved by pollinators and gardeners alike.

Native to eastern North America, Liatris, commonly known as gayfeather or dense blazing star, is a versatile plant, preferring to be planted in moist, well-drained soil in full sun, and thrives in many garden settings including prairie gardens, pollinator gardens, and rain gardens, especially stunning when massed in large groupings.

Members of the Aster family, Asteraceae, Liatris blooms are quite unique, producing large flower spikes well over a foot long with rounded, fluffy, purple bunches of composite flower heads blooming from the top of the spike downward. Blooming from mid-summer to late summer, many excellent varieties of dense blazing star are available, including the gorgeous purple of the compact ‘Kobold,’ reaching 24-30" tall, as well as the beautiful violet of ‘Floristan Violet’ and the unique white blooms of ‘Floristan White,’ both reaching 36-48" tall.

After blooming, trim away spent flower spikes. Fine-textured foliage will persist, providing interest throughout the rest of the season into fall, fading to a wonderful golden color in the garden.

In addition to the classic garden favorite, dense blazing star, there are also many beautiful Minnesota native Liatris species that are phenomenal for local wildlife and pollinators, offering slightly different flower structures and bloom times as well.

With large, bright, often fragrant blooms fit for borders, backdrops, or massed as a stunning centerpiece, lilies make an impact in the garden. True lilies, of the lily family, Liliaceae, generally prefer areas of full sun, but are tolerant of part sun, performing best with good morning sun and some afternoon shade. Lilies thrive in moist, well-drained soil. Wet soils or excessively hot exposures such as near pavement or foundations should be avoided to prevent bulb rot and shattered, short-lived blooms. A wonderful pop of mid-season color, lily bloom time vary by species, with all lilies emerging from hardy perennial bulbs each spring. Commonly planted lilies include fragrant (oriental) lilies, Asiatic lilies, tiger lilies, and their numerous hybrids.

Fragrant (oriental) lilies, Lilium orientalis, native to Korea and Japan, are excellent for providing height, late season color, and intoxicating fragrance. Typically blooming from mid to late summer. Oriental lilies generally grow 36-48” tall, occassionally up to 72" tall, forming a grouping 24-36” wide with waxy, lance-like leaves and rigid stems that benefit from staking or other support to prevent breakage. Their large blooms are exceptionally fragrant, including the staple pink blooms of ‘Stargazer,’ named for its unique upward-facing blooms, as well as the massive double pink and white flowers of ‘Roselily Anouska’ and ‘Roselily Samantha’ among many others.

Asiatic lilies, Lilium asiatica, native to China and Japan, are great for sunny borders, blooming slightly earlier in mid-summer with brightly colored, mildly fragrant blooms. Growing 24-36” tall and forming groupings of 12-24” wide, Asiatic lilies provide a range of color, including cheery yellow blooms of ‘Lily Looks Tiny Bee,’ orange blooms of ‘Lily Looks Tiny Dino,’ and red blooms of ‘Lily Looks Tiny Rocket.’

Tiger lilies, Lilium lancifolium, native to China, Japan, Korea, and Eastern Russia, are abundant, mid to late summer bloomers, providing excellent height and color. Forming small colonies, tiger lilies develop small, black secondary bulbs, called bulbils, at their leaf axils (where the leaf meets the stem). These ripen in late summer, where they can then be harvested and replanted, or will release and plant themselves in the fall. Growing 36-48” tall with thin, strap-like leaves, tiger lilies are typically orange, though there are other beautiful hybrids including pink and red selections. These abundant blooms are speckled and feature dramatically recurved petals, curving back toward the center of the bloom.

A common mid-season sight, bee balm, Monarda didyma (mo-NAR-duh DID-ee-muh), is a beautiful eastern North American native perennial and member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, that provides not only bright, beautiful color in the garden, but also fragrant, animal resistant foliage.

Ranging in height from 18-48" depending on variety, and spreading gently to form clumps 24-48" wide, Monarda provide an excellent variety of colors and sizes, making them a great choice for sunny border plantings, pollinator gardens, cutting gardens, and cottage gardens, looking their best when massed together in large plantings. Bee balm thrives in areas of part to full sun, preferring rich, moist soil, but will also tolerate a wide range of soil conditions as long as there is some moisture present. Monarda flowers span a colorful range of pinks, reds, and purples, including the lovely pink flowers of the compact ‘Grand Mum,' light purple flowers of the compact ‘Grand Marshall,’ lavender flowers of ‘Grand Parade,’ and bright raspberry blooms of ‘Raspberry Wine.’

Additionally, the Minnesota native, Monarda fistulosa, also known as wild bergamot, is excellent for larger home landscapes, pollinator gardens, and natural areas. Maturing to 36-48" tall, wild bergamot blooms beautiful light lavender flowers beloved by native pollinators. Forming larger stands over time if allowed to spread, spent bloom heads can be removed to prevent seed dispersal and limit spread. Plants are also easily pulled or may be divided as needed to keep clusters tidy and well-behaved in the landscape.

As their name suggests, bee balm flowers are a favorite of bees, among many other pollinators, especially hummingbirds and butterflies which prefer their long, tubular flower structure.

After flowering, plants can be deadheaded to promote reblooming, or toward the end of the season, spent blooms may be left to develop into interesting seed heads for winter interest and food for local songbirds through the cold winter months.

Take a look at our Continous Color Planting Guide!