Summer Blooms: White Tiger Lily, Black-Eyed Susan, and Maltese Cross

This garden, featuring Tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta ‘Chocolate Orange’), and Maltese Cross (Lychnis chalcedonica), offers a dynamic design with striking blooms from mid-summer to fall. The elegant white Tiger Lily, paired with the warm chocolate-orange tones of Black-Eyed Susan and the bold red Maltese Cross, creates a vibrant, colorful landscape that attracts pollinators and adds a dramatic touch to any garden.

Why Create This Garden?

This garden is perfect for anyone looking to create a bold, visually striking display while supporting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The unique combination of the delicate white lilies, bright Black-Eyed Susans, and deep red Maltese Cross offers continuous blooms and visual interest throughout the season. The mix of heights, colors, and textures provides a balanced and lively garden design.

Key Plants and Their Roles

Lilium lancifolium White (White Tiger Lily)

• Plant Type: Bulbous perennial
• Native Habitat: Eastern Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Korea.
• Role in the Garden: The tall, white blooms with dark speckles add elegance and height. Blooming in mid-summer, they act as a focal point and pair beautifully with the warm hues of other plants.

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Chocolate Orange’ (Black-Eyed Susan)

• Plant Type: Biennial or short-lived perennial
• Native Habitat: Native to North America, thriving in sunny meadows and prairies.
• Role in the Garden: The warm chocolate-orange blooms provide a rich contrast to the white lilies. It is a long bloomer from summer to fall and attracts pollinators.

Lychnis chalcedonica (Maltese Cross)

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Native Habitat: Native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
• Role in the Garden: Its deep red flowers add intensity and height, creating a dramatic contrast against the other plants. It blooms from early to late summer and serves as an attractive pollinator magnet.

Planting Tips:

• Sunlight: All plants thrive in full sun, promoting optimal blooms and growth.
• Soil: Ensure well-drained soil, as most plants are moderately drought-tolerant once established.
• Maintenance: Minimal care is required. Deadhead the lilies and Black-Eyed Susans to encourage prolonged blooms. Divide plants like Maltese Cross every few years to maintain their vigor.

To complement this summer planting, consider incorporating Sea Holly (Eryngium) and Goldenrod (Solidago).

Sea Holly brings unique architectural structure to the garden with its spiky, steel-blue flowers and silvery foliage, contrasting beautifully with the bold colors of Lilium lancifolium, Rudbeckia, and Lychnis. Its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils make it an ideal addition to low-maintenance landscapes, while its striking form adds texture and movement.

Meanwhile, Goldenrod offers a bright burst of golden-yellow flowers in late summer to early fall, extending the garden’s season of interest. Known for its pollinator-attracting abilities, Solidago supports bees and butterflies while creating a warm, sunny backdrop for the cooler blues and whites of the lilies and Sea Holly.

Both plants enhance the dynamic color palette of this garden and contribute to a balanced mix of height, texture, and seasonal interest.