Plants for the Summer Patio

Entertaining outdoors is part of any great summer get-together, and if you have a patio or deck, there's no better way to have it looking it's best than with fresh, fragrant flowers that offer beautiful blooms.

If your outdoor area needs a little something extra, we've come up with a few ideas that will make it sparkle all summer long.

Tropical Plants

What could be more inviting, decorative and fun for your patio than a tropical plant, potted in a colorful container? Summertime is the perfect time to bring some of these unique specimens out of the house and enjoy them outside with friends and family.

Like any other plant you'd purchase, you should carefully consider the light conditions where your tropical plant will be placed.

If you have a sunny spot, you can choose from a wide variety of beautiful and fragrant plants such as Mandevilla, tropical Hibiscus, beautiful blue Agapanthus, or fragrant Jasmine. If you're looking for something a little more exotic, Passion Flower will look great on a trellis.

For shady spots, there are several varieties of Begonia that will work well and can also be brought inside and enjoyed as a houseplant at the end of the season. Coleus and Peace Lily are other great shade alternatives.

Double Purpose Plants

These days, it seems like everything is a multi-tasker - your plants can be too! Herbs are a perfect example.

A large Rosemary plant will not only fill your backyard with fine fragrance and offer elegant blooms, it can also be used to flavor the very dishes you serve out on your patio. Extend the usefulness of this plant by bringing it indoors to enjoy all winter in a sunny room.

Bridging the Seasons

With a little planning, the plants you buy for the patio today can also be the plants you're enjoying months from now.

Although often overlooked, ornamental grasses are a stylish solution that require very little care and no deadheading. Since they look great with the traditional accents of the fall such as Asters, Garden Mums and Pumpkins, your new grasses will also help bridge the gap between seasons and offer extended enjoyment of the outdoors.

Whether you're looking for exotic beauty, intoxicating fragrance or an extension to the gardening season, the experts at Estabrook's will be happy to help you find everything you need to spruce up your patio this summer.