5 precious flowers for summer flowering

Begonia multiflora ‘Bijou de Gand’: apricot flowers that deserve to be repopularised.

‘Bijou de Gand’ is a variety that is not so easy to find nowadays, but it was part of one of the first hybrids of Begonia multiflora. This tuberous perennial is gradually making a comeback, thanks to its stunning flowering. Throughout the summer, it produces large double flowers with numerous petals, reaching about 3 cm in diameter. Their apricot-orange colour is particularly bright and uncommon. They are borne on a flower stem of a lovely dark purple hue. A refined flower with retro charm, it enjoyed its heyday in the early 20th century, but deserves to make a return!

The deciduous foliage has a velvety appearance, with a lovely dark green that contrasts with the colour of the flowers.

At maturity, this begonia will reach about 40 cm in height and 30 cm in spread. Not hardy, it will only be grown in the ground in privileged Mediterranean regions, where it does not freeze. Elsewhere, pot cultivation will allow it to be wintered away from the cold.

Our perennial appreciates semi-shaded areas, benefiting from a few hours of non-burning sunlight during the day to bloom well. Grow it in light, well-draining soil (without stagnant moisture), but rich in organic matter. Plant ‘Bijou de Gand’ in a container alongside small Crocosmias and Cannas in similar tones, for a beautiful summer flowering pot with warm colours.

Nemesia ‘Seventh Heaven’: an annual with generous fragrant flowering and an exotic appearance

The Nemesia ‘Seventh Heaven’ offers a long and generous flowering period, lasting nearly 6 months. It begins in late spring and continues until autumn, dressing the summer with its lovely labiate flowers. These flowers randomly display shades of lavender, white, violet, and purple, centred by a pale yellow heart. Although small (1 to 2 cm), they are numerous, clustered at the tips of stems that allow them to float gracefully. To top it off, they emit a sweet fragrance reminiscent of honey and coconut, adding an exotic charm to the plant.

This annual plant is also known by the poetic names of “elf mirror” or “jewel of the Cape,” reflecting its beauty and refinement.

Its compact and bushy silhouette reaches about 30 cm in all directions, making it easy to integrate into borders, front beds, hanging baskets, or flowering pots. It features lanceolate foliage, particularly dentate, with a grey-green colour.

From its South African origins, it has retained a preference for sunlight and a rather low hardiness (approximately -3 to -6°C). Position this nemesia near pathways to fully enjoy its flowering. Provide a light soil, rich in organic matter. Pair it with hardy geraniums and small garden verbenas.

Note: Due to their small size, nemesia seeds will require great precision and finesse during sowing.

For more information: Nemesia: planting, cultivation, and care

Salvia jamensis ‘Belle de Loire’: summer flowers in an unusual colour

The shrubby sage (Salvia jamensis) ‘Belle de Loire’ is remarkable for its evolving bicolour flowering. Initially yellow with orange flames at the start of flowering, it turns cream with salmon flames by late summer. The fragrant flowers are gathered in soft spikes and attract pollinating insects for many weeks, starting from late spring. In particularly dry summers, flowering may be halted in the height of summer, but will resume afterwards. The play of light created by the sun’s rays beautifully highlights the different colours of this sage, transforming it into a true little stained glass window.

At maturity, this plant forms an aromatic bush about 60 cm in all directions, with thick, semi-evergreen foliage (remaining in place during light frosts).

Easy to grow in the garden or in pots, our sage requires almost no maintenance and can withstand frosts down to -10°C in well-drained soil. This perennial enjoys sunny exposures, in light soil, even poor or calcareous. Place it alongside other drought-resistant plants, such as a creeping rosemary (‘Blue Cascade’) and a santolina.

To learn more: Sages, salvia: planting, pruning, maintenance

Viola cornuta ‘Molly Sanderson’: surprising flowers of a satin black

This is a flowering of great refinement offered by Viola cornuta ‘Molly Sanderson’. It boasts a rare colour, a sublime satin black, simply accented by a yellow centre punctuated with violet. A true botanical gem!

These beautiful flowers measuring 2 to 4 cm in diameter renew generously and continuously from late spring to autumn, ensuring a display during the lovely summer months. They are delicately scented.

This small pansy is a perennial groundcover that reaches only about twenty centimetres in all directions. It forms a rosette of spreading, evergreen leaves in a dark green colour.

Well hardy due to its mountainous origins (Spanish Pyrenees), it can be cultivated in most of our regions, in full sun or partial shade, in containers or in open ground. Provide it with a sheltered spot from the wind, in rich but well-drained and consistently moist soil.

It is perfect for dressing borders, the base of a flowering bush, or a balcony box. Pair it with spring bulbs that will precede the flowering and with small grasses for a modern and graphic touch.

Tigridia pavonia ‘Alba’: an unusual beautiful flowering

Tigridias are bulbous plants with corms that produce large flowers of undeniably exotic appearance. They consist of 3 large triangular petals and a contrasting throat, which reveals 3 smaller additional petals.

The Tigridia pavonia ‘Alba’ boasts the refinement of white flowers, simply enhanced by a speckled purple centre and golden yellow stamens. A flower of sophisticated appearance that certainly does not go unnoticed! Each of these little floral jewels lasts only a day, but they continuously renew throughout the two months of summer.

At maturity, this Tigridia reaches about 60 cm in height and 30 cm in spread. It has dark green sword-shaped foliage that forms a lovely fan, further accentuating the exotic look of the plant.

From its subtropical origins, the plant has retained low hardiness (-1 to -4°C). However, it is perfectly suited for pot cultivation, allowing it to be kept safe from frost in winter. Plant it in full sun or partial shade, in light, well-drained soil that remains cool. For a tropical and warm style, pair it with Kniphofias and achilleas in shades of red-purple.

To learn more: Tigridia: planting, growing, and caring