Summer Color That Can Take the Heat

When the temperatures climb and summer settles into Massachusetts, not all flowers are created equal. Some annuals wilt at the first sign of a heat wave, while others seem to thrive when the sun is blazing and the humidity is rising. If you’re looking for dependable color in containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, or garden beds, these summer superstars will keep blooming long after spring flowers have faded.

The secret to a great summer display is choosing plants that love the conditions they’re growing in. Heat-tolerant annuals are bred to handle long days, warm nights, and the occasional missed watering. They reward gardeners with continuous blooms, vibrant color, and impressive performance throughout the hottest months of the season.

Some of our favorite summer color annuals include:

• Lantana – One of the toughest summer performers available. Produces clusters of colorful blooms that attract butterflies and thrive in hot, sunny locations.

• Vinca – A true heat lover with glossy foliage and nonstop flowers. Excellent for garden beds, containers, and areas that receive intense afternoon sun.

• Angelonia – Often called “summer snapdragon,” Angelonia produces upright flower spikes that bloom continuously without deadheading.

• Cuphea – A hummingbird favorite that flowers all season long. Great for adding pollinator appeal to containers and mixed plantings.

• Scaevola – A trailing annual covered in fan-shaped flowers that keeps blooming through heat and humidity with very little maintenance.

• Verbena – Produces clusters of colorful blooms that spill beautifully from containers while attracting butterflies and other pollinators.

• Calibrachoa (Million Bells) – A container favorite covered in hundreds of petunia-like flowers that provide season-long color.

• Lobularia (Sweet Alyssum) – Modern varieties bloom continuously through summer while providing a sweet fragrance and valuable nectar source for pollinators.

• Portulaca (Moss Rose) – A sun-worshipping annual with succulent foliage and bright blooms that thrives in hot, dry conditions.

• Zinnias – Easy to grow, colorful, and excellent for both pollinators and cut flower gardens, with blooms that keep coming all summer long.

Whether you’re refreshing a patio pot, planting a sunny garden bed, or creating a colorful entrance display, these heat-loving annuals are ready for the challenge. Stop by Lakeview and let our Plant Geek Team help you choose the perfect summer performers to keep your landscape looking its best all season long.