Summer Gardens – Tips, Ideas and Inspiration
June 3rd, 2025 | By: Heather Knapp | Landscape Design
Blog
Summer Garden Tips for New Jersey: Planting for Beauty, Pollinators, and Long-Term Success
As summer sets in across New Jersey, it’s the perfect time to enhance your garden with vibrant blooms, lush textures, and thoughtful design that brings both beauty and biodiversity to your outdoor space. This is the time of year in NJ where homeowners spend the most amount of time outside. Creating and cultivating an outdoor garden space to enjoy all summer, is a wonderful way to soak in the most of the summertime.
From attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to knowing what not to plant as the temperatures rise, here are some helpful ideas and expert tips to guide your summer garden plans.
🌿 What to Plant in a New Jersey Garden This Summer
By June, your soil is warm, your daylight is long, and your garden is ready to show off. Installing proper hydration, or diligently watering your property will ensure your plants and flowers thrive in the summer heat. Some of the best flowers and plants for New Jersey gardens this time of year include:
- Coneflowers (Echinacea): Long-blooming, drought-tolerant, and beloved by pollinators.
- Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia): A native favorite with golden color and hardy roots.
- Bee Balm (Monarda): Vibrant reds and purples that hummingbirds can’t resist.
- Milkweed (Asclepias): A must for supporting monarch butterflies.
- Lantana & Salvia: Great heat-tolerant annuals for containers or garden borders.
- Zinnias & Cosmos: Easy to grow and perfect for cutting gardens.
Don’t forget about herbs like lavender, thyme, and basil, which not only add fragrance and flavor, but attract bees and butterflies too.
🦋 How to Attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies
If you’re hoping to invite some winged visitors into your garden this summer, planting with intention makes all the difference. Here are a few essentials:
- Choose native plants with nectar-rich blooms.
- Aim for a variety of bloom times, so your garden has something flowering all summer long.
- Avoid pesticides, which can be harmful to pollinators.
- Add a water source, like a shallow birdbath or drip fountain.
- Plant in clusters so butterflies and hummingbirds can easily find flowers.
Even a small garden or container grouping can become a lively pollinator stop with the right selections.
⚠️ What Not to Plant in Summer
While summer is great for adding color, not all planting is ideal in high heat. Avoid:
- Transplanting large shrubs or trees in extreme heat.
- Cool-season vegetables or flowers like pansies, violas, or lettuce—they’ll bolt or wilt quickly.
- Over-fertilizing during peak heat, which can stress plants instead of helping them.
If in doubt, wait until early fall, or consult with a professional before planting.
🌱 Why Work With a Landscape Professional?
At Scenic Landscaping, we know that a successful summer garden isn’t just about planting pretty flowers, it’s about strategy, sustainability, and long-term beauty. Our team takes into account your site’s unique soil, sun exposure, drainage, and seasonal changes to create a landscape plan that thrives.
We help you invest wisely by choosing plants that will not only survive the summer but evolve beautifully over the years. And with access to our private nursery, clients get exclusive access to hand-selected, premium plant material not found at typical garden centers.
Ready to transform your yard into a vibrant, welcoming garden this season? Contact Scenic Landscaping today and let our team bring your summer garden dreams to life.
