A Look Back at My Summer Garden in Full Bloom (2025)

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Take a tour of my 2025 summer garden at full bloom, from peak flowers and lush growth to the rhythm and momentum of midseason.

Summer is the season when the garden reveals its momentum. After the uncertainty of spring, growth feels more decisive where the beds fill in, blooms arrive in waves, and the garden begins to hold its shape through long days and warm nights.

This summer garden tour of 2025 reflects the garden at full bloom, highlighting the plants that thrived, the areas that matured into themselves, and the moments when everything finally came together. Looking back now, it’s easy to see which early promises were fulfilled and which surprises defined the heart of the season.

Rather than a snapshot of perfection, this tour captures the rhythm of midseason gardening: abundance, maintenance, and the steady confidence that comes when the garden hits its stride.

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Colorful garden with vibrant pink, purple, red, and white flowers in full bloom, bordered by green shrubs and trees. A curved path leads to a stone fence and a house in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Peony Season

One of my favorite times of year in the garden is peony season, and this year was an especially good one. The blooms were generous and long-lasting, and it felt like the garden lingered in that moment a little longer than usual.

I planted about 30 new peonies this year, most of them in the formal garden and along the driveway, with a few tucked into other spots as well. They won’t bloom until next year, but it’s exciting to imagine what’s to come.

What I already had, though, bloomed prolifically, and for a long stretch too. I cut a few bouquets, including one for my daughter, who had just moved into her first apartment, and made a point to soak in those gorgeous flowers while they lasted.

A handful of peonies were planted by the former homeowner, but most went into the ground the spring after we moved in. Seeing them all flowering now, even if only a little, feels like a quiet reward for patience and time.

Pink peonies bloom in a lush green garden with manicured grass, dense shrubs, and a tall, artistic wooden sculpture in the background.

Bright pink peonies bloom in the foreground of a lush garden, with a winding path leading to a yellow house surrounded by green trees and other colorful flowers in the background.

A close-up of two blooming white peonies with lush green leaves, set against a blurred background of soil and other plants in a garden.

Bright pink and pale pink peonies bloom in a lush green garden, with clusters of purple flowers in the foreground and tall trees in the background, creating a vibrant, colorful scene.

A hand holding a bouquet of fresh cut flowers: pink and magenta peonies with sprigs of purple flowers, set against a lush green garden background with yellow flowers. — A peony bouquet for my daughter, Shana

Summer Blooming Perennials

Early summer brought a strong show of purple throughout the garden. As I’ve added more perennials each year, the plants I’ve dug, divided, and moved around began to hit their stride and truly thrived this season. As we moved into mid summer, the colors ramp up with more yellows, reds and brighter pinks.

The following are standouts from my summer garden in 2025!

Nepeta

I couldn’t get over the combination of nepeta and peonies—easily one of my favorites. It’s a pairing I plan to repeat as the newly planted peonies settle in and fill out, carrying that early summer color through the garden.

Lavender

Last year, I planted one of the formal garden beds with Sweet Romance lavender, and it took off this year. Look at those gorgeous flowers!

Perennial Salvia

I have about eight different types of perennial salvia growing throughout the garden, and they all bloomed beautifully this year. Their long flowering period and rich color carried the garden through early summer and into the warmer weeks, weaving through beds and borders in a way that felt both structured and relaxed.

A cluster of purple and pink salvia flowers with green leaves grows in a garden bed. Blurred greenery, a wooden post, and a fence appear in the background, creating a lush outdoor scene. — Pink Profusion Salvia

Close-up of vibrant purple salvia flowers blooming in a garden with green leaves at the base. The background features a small beige garden shed with a green door, surrounded by various other plants and greenery. — Salvia Indiglo Girl

A cluster of tall, purple salvia flowers with green leaves growing in a mulch-covered garden. In the background, there is lush greenery, orange flowers, a fence, and a yellow building. The setting appears to be a residential backyard. — Azure Snow Salvia

Purple salvia flowers with green leaves bloom in a garden, with a green fence and other plants in the softly blurred background on a sunny day.

Penstemon

Many of the perennials in the next few photos are ones I planted just about a year ago—newer varieties that are truly thriving now. This penstemon is a perfect example. The shift toward more shades of pink and purple has been a quiet theme in the garden, and I love how it plays against the green garden fence.

I’ve grown penstemon before, but Midnight Masquerade has really stood out. Those soft pink flowers rising above the darker foliage are striking, and the contrast feels especially rich in early summer.

A woman wearing a straw hat, sunglasses, and a pink shirt sits in a garden behind tall flowering plants, smiling. A stone border and green fence are in the background amid lush trees.

Clusters of tall, pink and white flowers with green and dark purplish leaves grow beside a stone wall in a garden, with a green fence and lush foliage visible in the background. — Midnight Masquerade Penstemon

Clusters of vibrant pink flowers with tubular petals and green foliage growing in a garden, with a blurred green background.

Bee Balm

Another stunner in the cottage garden this year was Monarda ‘Lavender Taffeta.’ It performed exceptionally well, with no signs of powdery mildew and plenty of pollinator activity throughout the season. I’m especially curious to see how it fills out and matures in 2026.

Phlox

Last year, I planted several varieties of phlox throughout the garden. While I did lose a few plants—thanks to a fox family that took up residence under the cottage, and possibly a curious groundhog—the majority performed really well. All things considered, it was reassuring to see them still do their thing despite the interruptions.

I used to grow tall phlox in my former garden, and I’m thrilled to see it making a comeback here with these more easygoing varieties. They’ve been far less fussy than what I remember from years ago, especially when it comes to powdery mildew, and it’s been a pleasure welcoming phlox back into the mix.

Clusters of vibrant light purple phlox flowers bloom among green leaves in a garden, with soft grass visible in the background. — Phlox Opening Act Blush in my zone 6b garden

A garden bed bordered with rocks features vibrant pink and purple flowers in bloom, surrounded by green foliage and grass, with a wooden fence in the background.

Yarrow and Coneflowers

One of my favorite perennial plant combinations really shines in the welcome garden. I love pairing yarrow with coneflowers because the mix of form and texture always feels just right. Behind them, I plant zinnias every year, and together they create a layered range of pinks, with subtle shifts in shade and flower shape that add so much interest to the space.

One of the issues I have with Yarrow early on are rabbits! They can do a lot of damage! This year I got savvy about it and either sprayed with repellent or used wire cloches to keep them from chopping my plants down.

A vibrant garden with clusters of pink and magenta flowers in the foreground, lush green foliage, and a white house and trees in the background on a bright, overcast day.

Bright pink coneflowers with orange centers stand tall behind clusters of delicate, pale pink and white yarrow flowers, all surrounded by lush green foliage in a vibrant garden scene.

A vibrant patch of pink coneflowers blooms beside a winding driveway, with a yellow house and lush green trees and bushes in the background. It is a bright and colorful summer garden scene.

Coreopsis and Shasta Daisies

If I’m being completely honest, I’m not loving coreopsis as much as I once did. I’ll still grow it, but it isn’t hitting the same way it used to in the garden. Whether it’s the yellow or simply a shift in my preferences, my taste is clearly changing.

Last year, I dug and divided it to fill in some gaps, but looking at it now, that may have been overkill. I’ll move some plants to other areas and spread them out a bit more, but this is one perennial I’m intentionally pulling back on.

I do love it paired with my shasta daisies though!

A cluster of bright yellow flowers fills the foreground, with a blurred background showing a white bicycle and green foliage in a garden setting. — Moonbeam Coreopsis

A cluster of white daisies with yellow centers is in the foreground, with a backdrop of small yellow flowers and green foliage in a garden setting. A garden ornament and stone path are visible in the background.

Early Summer Annuals

I had a big year planting containers and sowing seeds that brought tons of color in 2025. After planting so much, I’ve decided to pull back on growing this many annuals. And I say this now as I just doubled my seed order for 2026 (LOL). Anyway, we’ll see if I follow through in 2026.

Everything I started from seed did really well, bloomed prolifically, and the gardens really started coming into their own this year. This was my 4th growing season here and the gardens took off.

Here are some of the standouts from my summer garden 2025.

Petunias/Supertunias

This year, I bumped up my Supertunia order so I could create defined borders in both the cottage and welcome gardens. They looked amazing all season long and had very few issues, which made them especially satisfying to grow.

While I don’t love how some of the bulb foliage looks weaving through the petunias, I know it’s something I have to live with if I want stronger blooms in 2026. I planted several different varieties in a range of pinks and purples, and together they added consistent color and cohesion to these garden spaces throughout the summer.

A flower bed with clusters of vibrant purple and pink petunias bordered by rocks, set against a green garden background with leafy plants and a fence. — Petunia Supertunia Blue Tiara

A vibrant garden with pink petunias in the foreground, white daisies, and orange lilies near a green picket fence. A yellow house with wooden doors and green trim is in the background.

A vibrant garden bed with yellow petunias in the foreground, pink petunias and leafy green plants in the middle, and tall yellow daylilies with red centers blooming in the background.

A lush garden bed with colorful flowers and green plants lines a grassy lawn, bordered by a stone wall. Trees and shrubs are visible in the background near a curved driveway on a misty day. — Late June afer planting my petunia border in the welcome garden

A lush garden bed with vibrant purple, pink, and red flowers lines the edge of a green lawn; trees and a house are visible in the background under a clear sky. — Mid-July in my cottage garden

Calibrachoa (Superbells)

I was fortunate to try a new variety for 2026 and it is a total stunner!!! This one should be on your list as the range of pink and yellow was really pretty. I grew mine in a concrete planter on the porch.

A white stone planter filled with vibrant pink, yellow, and orange flowers sits outdoors, with green foliage and a blurred garden background. — Calibrachoa Superbells Magic Double Grapefruit (new for 2026)

Snapdragons

As I do every year, I started snapdragons from seed using both winter sowing and indoor methods. The results were excellent because everything germinated and truly thrived. This season, I leaned into shades of pink, which made it easier to create more monochromatic bouquets.

Instead of using trellis netting for support, I tried a DIY “spider web” made from green twine, hoping it would blend in more seamlessly. It worked well early on, but as the plants grew taller and heavier, it became less effective. I’ll be going back to trellis netting next year.

Here are a few of the snapdragons I grew this season.

Close-up of pink and white snapdragon flowers blooming in a garden, surrounded by green foliage and supported by thin green and blue garden ties.

Pale pink snapdragon flowers bloom on a tall green stem in a garden. A small terra cotta pot is placed upside down on a green post in the background, with more leafy plants and blurred garden elements behind.

Tall stalks of pink and white snapdragon flowers grow through green garden netting, surrounded by lush green leaves.

A person wearing a straw hat and white tank top tends to colorful flowers in a lush garden, surrounded by green foliage, raised beds, and a green fence on a cloudy day.

A woman in a wide-brimmed straw hat, white tank top, and maroon pants stands in a garden holding a large bouquet of pink and white flowers. Raised garden beds and lush greenery surround her.

Larkspur

The larkspur I grew from seed using the winter sowing method performed exceptionally well this year. Since I focused more on cool-season vegetables in my raised beds, I interplanted the larkspur among the greens to add a pop of color and I loved how it looked.

The soft vertical blooms wove in beautifully with the edible plantings, adding interest without competing for space. It’s a combination I’ll definitely return to, especially for bringing early color into the vegetable garden.

Clusters of delicate pink flowers and vivid purple flowers grow closely together among green foliage in a vibrant garden scene. — Larkspur and Statice

A tall pink flower blooms in the center of a lush green garden, surrounded by metal fencing and various plants with leafy foliage in the background.

Zinnias

My zinnias had an epic year in 2025. I designed both the cutting garden and the welcome garden around a range of pinks, and I loved how cohesive everything looked once the plants filled in.

One new addition this year was rectangular grow-through supports in the welcome garden to help keep the blooms upright. The difference was noticeable because my zinnias bloomed much better when supported, rather than flopping, leaning, and struggling to hold themselves up. It’s a lesson I’ll be carrying forward.

We did have a few more Japanese beetles than last year, but they didn’t linger long, and the damage was minimal.

A stone garden wall with blooming pink and magenta zinnias, surrounded by lush greenery, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and trees in a landscaped garden.

Two blooming zinnia flowers, one light orange and one bright pink, surrounded by green leaves in a garden setting.

Bright pink and yellow flowers bloom in a lush garden with green leaves, a fountain, and string lights. In the background, a tan house with white trim is nestled among tall trees.

Strawflowers

My strawflowers had their best season yet. I planted two different varieties and harvested blooms consistently all summer long. They looked especially pretty mixed in with the zinnias, China asters, and dahlias in the cutting garden.

I started the plants indoors under grow lights, then hardened them off and gradually acclimated them to life in the cut flower garden, a process that clearly paid off this season.

Close-up of several orange and yellow strawflowers with green leaves, set in a lush garden. The background shows more flowers, foliage, and soft sunlight filtering through trees. — King Salmon Strawflowers in my zone 6b cutting garden that I started from seed

Orange and pink strawflowers bloom among green foliage in a garden, with more colorful flowers and blurred greenery in the background on a bright day. — Strawflowers I started from seed

Tall green stems with vibrant red and pink strawflowers bloom in a lush garden. The background is filled with greenery and blurred flowers, creating a colorful, natural outdoor scene.

Dahlias

This year, I planted twenty different dahlia varieties throughout the cut flower garden in raised beds, directly in the ground, and in containers tucked into the zen garden.

As you know, dahlias are probably my favorite flower to grow, so I love working with them in all shapes and sizes. The potted dahlias kicked off the season in early summer, while those grown from tubers really hit their stride in mid to late July.

It always amazes me how differently each variety performs as the season unfolds. Some bloom early and taper off, while others take their time and truly come into their own later in the summer.

Here are a few highlights from my dahlias in summer 2025.

Stacy ling, A woman in a sun hat and long skirt tends to pink flowers in a garden pot while a black dog leans over a stone wall to sniff the flowers. Lush greenery and trees fill the background. — Deadheading my potted dahlias in the backyard zen garden

Yellow dahlias bloom in the foreground of a lush garden with a stone fountain, patio chairs, colorful flowers, and a small shed in the background surrounded by greenery.

A large light purple and white dahlia flower blooms among green leaves, with a bee on its petals. Smaller dahlia buds and a clay pot on a stake are visible in the background.

A vibrant garden scene with blooming dahlias in shades of pink, yellow, and white surrounded by lush green leaves, set against a backdrop of trees and soft natural light.

A close-up of a white and yellow dahlia flower with layered petals, surrounded by green leaves. A lattice fence and blurred flowers are visible in the background. — Platinum Blonde Dahlias

Sunpatiens

This year, I went all in on SunPatiens throughout the gardens and will definitely do it again. They thrived around the ponds and performed just as well in both sun and part-sun garden spaces. Blooming well into fall, they required minimal fertilizing and no deadheading, which made them an easy, low-maintenance choice.

All of my gardens are on drip irrigation and receive regular watering. Around the ponds, I plant the SunPatiens so their roots can actually reach the water, and they absolutely love it. The strong growth and consistent blooms really showed throughout the season.

A garden bed with clusters of vibrant purple and magenta flowers in full bloom, bordered by rocks, with a green fence and trees in the background on a sunny day.

A large decorative planter filled with pink flowers, white blooms, and large green tropical leaves sits in a lush garden with other plants and trees in the background.

A garden with lush green hosta plants topped with light purple flowers, and a cluster of bright pink impatiens in front. A red garden faucet and a green fence are visible in the background. — Hostas and Sunpatiens

A lush garden pond with a fountain, surrounded by vibrant green plants and pink flowers. A wooden bridge spans one side of the pond, with hanging lanterns adding a decorative touch amidst the background trees.

Hydrangeas

Every year, I seem to love hydrangeas more and more. Is that possible? I’m growing many more varieties here now, and that appreciation led me to plant even more last fall.

A few real standouts this season were Puffer Fish and Little Lime, both planted late last year, along with Let’s Dance Lovable, which produced some of the most gorgeous flowers in the garden.

A lush garden bed bordered by rocks features blooming pink, purple, white, and green flowers, with a green fence and tall trees in the background under dappled sunlight.

Close-up of light green hydrangea flowers in bloom, surrounded by lush green leaves and blurred greenery in the background. — Hydrangea Little Lime Punch in July

Close-up of vibrant pink and purple hydrangea flowers in bloom, surrounded by green leaves and dark soil in the background. — Let’s Dance Lovable Hydrangea after 2 years of growth in my zone 6b garden

A lush row of white hydrangea flowers with large green leaves grows along the edge of a grassy area, surrounded by dense trees and foliage in the background. — Hydrangea Arborescens

A potted plant with white flowers sits on a stone patio next to a raised wooden garden bed filled with green plants and purple flowers, with green fencing and trees in the background. — Fairytrail Hydrangeas in pots in the potager garden

Container Garden Ideas for Summer 2025

I potted up far too many containers this year and already know I’ll be scaling things back in 2026, especially in the zen garden. It’s not that I don’t love container gardening, but designing and planting so many pots year after year is a lot, and I’m ready to simplify.

That said, the combinations I put together this season were gorgeous. Adding obelisks to a few of the containers helped elevate them visually and added more height and interest.

One clear takeaway is that scaevola has earned a repeat spot in my porch hanging baskets. I loved the way it performed and will absolutely be planting it again next year.

A black pedestal planter overflows with purple and yellow flowers and tall green leaves, set on a stone patio beside a yellow house with white trim and surrounded by leafy garden plants.

A lush garden with a large planter filled with purple flowers, surrounded by green hosta plants and shrubs, next to a brick pathway leading toward a white porch in the background.

A large planter filled with vibrant green elephant ear leaves, trailing yellow-green foliage, and blooming pink flowers, set outdoors on a stone patio with rocks and greenery in the background.

A close-up of vibrant purple flowers with green leaves hangs on a porch, with a blurred background of a garden, trees, and a blue sky.

The Cottage Garden in Summer 2025

Now I’ll share some photos of the plants in action so you can see how everything came together in the beds. If you recall, I planted this area last year with mostly perennials, and while I love how they look, I can already see where the bed could use more structure. I’ll be making some changes this fall.

This space was filled with Asiatic lilies, which I hadn’t grown in a while but decided to reintroduce this year, along with Shasta daisies and daylilies.

A lush garden with vibrant flowers in pink, yellow, white, and orange. A brown dog sits among the blooms near a green fence, surrounded by greenery and a well-kept lawn.

A decorative metal bench sits in a lush garden bed filled with bright yellow, orange, and pink flowers, surrounded by green foliage and bordered by rocks with a pathway and more greenery in the background.

A garden with colorful flowers, green shrubs, and a rocky path. In the background, there is a yellow picket fence, a small wooden bridge, and tall trees. — Cottage Garden (July 2025)

A lush garden with colorful flowers and greenery surrounds a rustic yellow shed. A vintage metal chair sits among blooming pink, yellow, and orange flowers, with a green picket fence in the background.

The Zen Garden

I swapped out the terra cotta planters for a more neutral mix of faux concrete and real concrete, which immediately changed the feel of the space. While I love how it looks, I’ve decided to scale back the number of planters here in 2026 and focus more on architectural plants, like the gorgeous topiary boxwoods. That direction feels more aligned with what a true zen garden should be.

As much as I love flowers, I’m craving less maintenance in this particular space. I’ll still pot up a few blooms, just not nearly as many. This garden is meant to feel calmer and easier.

After learning more about pond gardening last year, I added additional plants to the backyard pond to bring in more depth, interest, and charm. I loved how it turned out and how it completed the space.

A stone path leads to steps with a white railing, surrounded by potted flowers and lush greenery, opening into a well-kept lawn bordered by trees and flowering plants in a peaceful garden setting.

Three potted plants outdoors: the front pot has pink flowers, while the two larger pots behind contain purple and magenta flowers. They are set on dark pebbles against a stone wall and green lattice fence.

A large beige planter filled with lush green and purple foliage sits on a stone patio. Behind it is a stone wall with yellow and purple flowers blooming in a garden.

A lush garden with blooming shrubs, a small pond surrounded by rocks, flowering plants, and a wooden deck in the foreground. Tall trees and greenery fill the background.

A cluster of bright pink flowers grows by a pond, surrounded by large green leaves and moss-covered rocks. Flower petals are scattered on the stones and water, reflecting the vibrant scene.

A lush garden with flowering plants, vibrant green foliage, and a small pond bordered by rocks. Pink and white flowers bloom around the pond, and a large planter of greenery sits in the foreground.

Houseplants on My Porches

This year, I went all in on moving my houseplants out to the porches, and there were a lot of them. Caring for them outside was surprisingly easy since the spaces are mostly shaded, simple to water, and naturally humid. The growth was incredible.

Every year I move my houseplants outdoors, they grow exponentially, and this season was no exception. I did have a small issue with mealy bugs, but I caught it early and handled it quickly, so it never became a real problem.

A black dog lies on a stone porch beside white rocking chairs with floral pillows, surrounded by lush potted plants and greenery, with a wind chime and hanging basket overhead.

A cozy porch with potted plants, a hanging basket, patterned rug, and a white bench with floral cushions. A black dog walks across the stone floor near green foliage and sunlit walls.

The Welcome Garden

This was the first year the welcome garden truly felt like a full cottage garden. I layered annual salvia, lantana, zinnias, and Gomphrena ‘Truffula Pink’ in with the established perennials, and the result was exactly what I had hoped for.

Early in the season, we moved all of the tulips out of this garden and relocated them to another bed so I could replant here in the fall before everything filled in. One unexpected gladiolus popped up out of nowhere, which made me smile. Overall, this ended up being my favorite garden of the entire season.

Playin’ the Blues salvia thrived from the moment it went in and has earned a permanent place in my gardens. It filled empty spaces quickly and looked especially beautiful paired with zinnias and coneflowers.

A vibrant garden bed with purple, pink, red, and orange flowers in full bloom, surrounded by green grass and trees, with a house and driveway visible in the background on a sunny day.

A lush garden with vibrant green plants, purple and white flowers, and a stone path curving through the landscape, backed by trees and under a partly cloudy sky.

Purple salvia flowers in focus in the foreground, with blurred red and pink flowers and green foliage in the background, creating a colorful garden scene. — Playin’ the Blues Salvia

A colorful garden with pink, purple, and white flowers in full bloom, bordered by green grass and trees, with a small wooden shed and a paved path in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Purple salvia growing in front of orange and pink zinnias in my zone 6b cottage garden, showing compatible companion plants thriving together in full sun. — Salvia Playin the Blues and Zinnias in My Zone 6b Cottage Garden

A colorful flower garden borders a green lawn, with vibrant purple, pink, and red blooms. Tall trees and a house are visible in the background on a sunny day.

The Potager and My Cut Flower Garden

This year, I planted the potager with much denser groupings of vegetables and herbs, and the payoff was a noticeably more abundant harvest. The fuller plantings helped the beds feel productive and intentional, while also creating a beautiful, layered look.

Most of the cool-season vegetables producing in early summer were started using the winter sowing method, which gave them a strong, steady start. For warm-season crops, I relied on transplants, allowing them to settle in quickly once the weather warmed.

The cut flower garden truly took off this season, with snapdragons, zinnias, statice, stock, larkspur, roses, and so much more filling the beds. I leaned into a palette of pinks and purples this year and loved how cohesive everything felt once the garden was in full swing.

Stone steps lead to a garden patio with a table and wicker chairs. Pink flowers are arranged on the table, surrounded by lush greenery, trees, and a vintage bicycle with a basket of flowers. String lights hang overhead.

A rectangular black planter with bright pink flowers sits on a wooden deck, with a stone fountain and lush green garden in the background on a cloudy day.

Pink zinnia flowers in full bloom with green leaves, surrounded by a lush garden under a soft, setting sun. Tall trees and blurred greenery are visible in the background. — zinnias in my cut flower garden in zone 6b, NJ

A hand holding a bouquet of vibrant pink, magenta, and pale peach snapdragon flowers in a lush garden with greenery and a fence in the background.

Two vibrant pink dahlias with layered petals bloom on tall stems surrounded by green leaves, set against a blurred background of more flowers and foliage in sunlight.

A lush garden with colorful flowers, green plants, small clay pots on stakes, and a stone fountain in the center. Trees and hanging string lights are visible in the background.

A vibrant garden with blooming pink flowers in the foreground, lush green plants, and a house partially visible in the background, all under a cloudy sky with the sun setting behind tall trees.

The Pool Garden

The pool garden was off to an amazing start this season until we decided to rip out the patio and replace it with concrete in July. Not the best timing, I know, but it will be worth it in the long run since I had already planned to completely redo the surrounding beds.

Here’s one of the garden beds before it officially went on the struggle bus.

A lush garden features clusters of pink flowers in the foreground, green hostas, and purple-leafed plants beside a green picket fence, with trees and grass in the background.

A vibrant garden bed with clusters of pink and purple flowers in bloom, bordered by rocks and a green lawn, with a dark green fence and leafy shrubs in the background.

A colorful garden with blooming purple, pink, and white flowers, lush green foliage, and a stone border. A dark green fence and tall trees are in the background, with sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Several workers in safety gear are repairing or renovating a stone walkway leading to a backyard pool, with lush green trees and landscaping surrounding the area. Tools and construction materials are scattered nearby. — Before as they started demo

A partially finished backyard with a clover-shaped pool surrounded by gravel and construction tools, set in a lush, green wooded area. Rebar is laid on the ground, and landscaping work appears to be in progress.

The Front Pond Garden

After planting this bed with containers, SunPatiens, and impatiens, it quickly became the place to be. The garden focused mostly on shades of pink, with a touch of purple woven in, and it felt lively and welcoming all season long.

I also tucked creeping thyme between the paving stones in the firepit area, and it began filling in beautifully, softening the hardscape and adding another layer of interest to the space.

A fountain sprays water in the middle of a pond surrounded by rocks and flowers, with several wooden Adirondack chairs arranged on a stone patio in a lush, green garden.

Seven wooden Adirondack chairs are arranged in a circle around a fire pit on a stone patio, surrounded by lush greenery, colorful flowers, and tall trees in a garden setting.

A large decorative planter overflows with lush green foliage and small pink flowers, set in a vibrant garden near a pond, with a wooden bridge and a hanging lantern in the background.

A lush garden with vibrant green plants, blooming pink and purple flowers, a stone path, and a water fountain spraying arcs of water. Strings of lights and tall trees create a peaceful, shaded woodland setting.

Flora Lane

As you may recall, Flora Lane was the very first bed I worked on after moving here. It’s a long planting area that originally held mostly liriope and a few roses, and my goal has always been to turn it into a true cottage garden. The perennials are slowly filling in, but they’ve taken their time.

Stepping back this season, it became clear that the bed was missing a bit of structure and early interest. I noticed a lull in color in early June, followed by a stronger showing later in the month as hydrangeas, perennials, and annuals began to fill in. That gap made it obvious that more early-summer color is needed.

Another challenge with this bed is moisture. It holds significantly more water than other areas, which means plants like nepeta, lavender, and salvias don’t perform as well here. I made some changes in the fall and can’t wait to see how everything comes together in 2026.

A garden bed along a paved path features various blooming flowers, green plants, and decorative pots, bordered by a green fence and surrounded by lush trees and greenery. — Early June after planting sunpatiens

A vibrant garden bed with blooming pink, white, and red flowers runs alongside a green fence and paved pathway, bordered by green posts and lush foliage in a wooded area. — Late June, plants started filling in and my hydrangeas started to bloom

Tall spikes of purple liatris flowers with thin green leaves stand in a lush garden, set against a background of green foliage and a dark green fence.

Colorful garden with blooming flowers, including clusters of white, purple, and reddish-pink blossoms. Lush green leaves and stems fill the scene, with a green fence and trees in the background.

Final Thoughts About My Summer Garden Tour 2025

Writing this now, with the garden once again at rest, makes me appreciate summer in a different way. The fullness, the long days, and the weeks of steady bloom marked the heart of the growing season…a time when early plans either came together or asked to be adjusted.

This summer garden tour is a snapshot of that momentum. It reflects a garden at full bloom, shaped by patience, trial and error, and the confidence that comes from watching plants settle in and find their place.

Do you have a favorite moment from my summer garden tour? There was so much happening at once, it’s hard to choose just one.

To see how my gardens looked and performed this spring, please visit my Spring Garden Tour 2025 here. And if you’d like to see how it did in the fall, please check out my fall garden tour 2025 here.

To see more of my gardens through the seasons, please check out these posts:

Thank you for visiting the blog today!

Enjoy your day! xo