Robust Blooms Tough Enough for Sizzling Florida Summers

Dana Davis

6 years ago

We’re into the heart – and heat – of the Florida summer. And you notice that some of your gorgeous spring annuals are quickly wilting and giving in to the hotter temps.

Therefore, the colorful blooms that used to brighten your home landscape no longer add the “pop” of color they did a few months ago. I’m sorry to say, it might be time to say good-bye.

Superhero Blooms to the Rescue!

The following three plants have robust blooms tough enough for sizzling Florida summers!

Cosmos

Cosmos…a tough, sun-loving summer flower!

If you need to fill a large area, and like the look of flowing, meadow flowers, then Cosmos is what you want! Cosmos loves abundant sun and is very drought-tolerant.

Cosmos is an annual that offers many varieties in a multitude of colors and sizes. Traditionally, these plants grow 6-7 feet tall, but that’s too tall for some landscaping needs.

How awesome that there are now different varieties, some growing only 2-4 feet tall.

So, the tall version of this flower is perfect for screening, or as a backdrop for shorter bushes and plants. They also provide gorgeous long-stemmed cut flowers to adorn the interior of your home for months!

Additionally, the shorter version fits nicely in porch and patio containers.

Read more and discover if Cosmos fits your summer bloom needs, here.

Dahlberg Daisy

Dahlberg daisy is a sunny addition to your rock garden and makes the perfect landscape border.

These bright yellow blooms might look dainty, but looks are deceiving! Plant them in hot conditions, and in full sun — they can take the heat!

These little pops of sunshine have dainty foliage with a citrus-like aroma (perfect for Florida!). They find their homes easily in landscape borders, rock gardens, and containers. And, they’re hardy enough to grow even in well-drained sand and gravel!

The Dahlberg daisy has a dainty look but is one tough bloom!

Finally, they will grow 6-8 inches tall. They’re also an annual, but I read some stories of homeowners whose flowers kept greeting them each season with lots of happy blooms!

Read more about the Dahlberg daisy here.

Lantana

Vibrant, multi-shades of color based on age of the blooms are a common characteristic of Lantana.

Lantana is a perennial flowering plant with about 150 species. Therefore, bet you can’t choose just one! This is a shrubby plant that bears lots of clustered blooms. Usually, the older flowers in a cluster are a different color than the younger blooms, which make for a unique plant, indeed!

Some varieties are low and are perfect for ground cover. On the contrary, other Lantana varieties fit well as low hedges.

Lantana can make itself at home almost anywhere, as long as it’s in the heat and sun.

Plant Lantana in sunny window boxes, hanging baskets, and patio planters, too.

Additionally, they grow best in poor quality soil. However, they are frost-sensitive, so wait until the ground is warm before planting them.