No Green Thumb? No Problem: Easy Ways to Ensure Vibrant Summer Garden Color

Garden season is ramping up and for those of you in possession of a green thumb, congratulations. Staging gardens that dazzle from May through September is no easy feat. But for those of you who lack the time or know-how to make a drool-worthy garden full of vibrant colors, this one's for you. Master gardening takes years of dedication, as well an annual planting and tending. These talented folks usually have a vast knowledge of plant preferences, like how much light certain greens prefer or what type of soil they thrive in. They stagger bloom times and nail pruning. Not to mention the ability to ID plants with ease to avoid weeding the wrong ones, like the biennial foxglove. Wait, what's a biennial? Nevermind, for those of us with more of a yellowish thumb, let's move on to how to create a beautiful summer garden…the easy way. Start with Proven Performers The simplest trick in the book is to lean on plants that are practically designed to succeed. These are varieties that bloom all summer long with minimal fuss, bounce back from heat and the occasional missed watering, and thrive in most garden conditions. I have two strategies here when it comes to picking winners. Take a hint from mother-nature. If you see a plant everywhere, it's probably hardy. Native, bee-friendly, and drought-tolerant perennials, like familiar black-eyed Susans and coneflowers, which pack a punch with sunny yellows and stand-out pinks, come back year after year. Another less familiar one I learned about from a friend is the Jerusalem artichoke, also called a sunchoke. It's a relative of the sunflower that was originally cultivated by local indigenous peoples. (Beyond its beauty, some even enjoy eating the roots). Sprinkle annual seeds that rebloom all summer long. Marigolds and zinnias are widely celebrated for being easy to grow. These sun-loving, heat-proof, pest-deterring powerhouses grow quickly and bloom June through the first frost. Yes please! Skip Steps with Containers If hammering together a raised bed or committing to regular weeding just sounds like more chores to you, think in terms of containers. Pots, window boxes, and planters let you select the soil, adjust locations to find the best light, and swap out plants throughout the season. Maybe you start with early bloomers like pansies, move onto colorful campanula mid-season when the sun is at its hottest, and then switch to hardy asters as the leaves turn. You can also level up by picking simple self-sowers, like Johnny jump-ups, foxglove, or calendula if you're flexible about where these enthusiastic plants will choose to grow. For an added bonus, coordinate your living textures and hues with the elements of the container. I'm a huge fan of collections, and over the years, I've created quite the arrangement of vivid ceramic planters. Keep in mind that sturdy, statement-making pots come in all shapes and sizes. From bathtubs and wheelbarrows to watering cans and tea kettles, New England is renowned for reusing. Make a planter your own with a few strokes of a paintbrush. And for the busy parents out there, kids love making these keepsakes for you to treasure. What If You Want Color But Zero Responsibility? Even the most forgiving plants still need some water and occasional deadheading. So, if you want worry-free gardens that still pop, you have to think outside-the-box. Surprise and humor yourself and your neighbors with an outdoor landscaping scene. Try artfully arranging metal animals and showy faux flowers in eye-catching pots. Or thoughtfully place a prismatic spinner to enchant you during your morning coffee. Get creative by upcycling glass or antiques into suncatchers. Hang solar hot air balloons, stick a few bird houses here and there, and add a seasonal flag. Voila, you have yourself a menagerie of vibrant summer colors to come home to. I love driving through Swanzey to check out how our neighbors have styled their yards and gardens. There are many who visit their plants each day and care for them like children. And plenty prefer relaxing in the hammock over digging in the dirt. Whichever end you fall on, cheers to a summer that brings you joy. I hope you take a little inspiration from my love of turning home into your happy place. ●●● Deb Johnson and her husband Dave own The She Shed, a popular garden and home decor shop in Swanzey. Visit the store Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from late May through December, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 331 Flat Roof Mill Road. Visit facebook.com/TheSheShedNH.