What Flowers Bloom in August in Cape Cod?

Salt Spray Roses

• Salt spray roses are native of the Orient and arrived in Cape Cod via sea captains. Tolerant of salt and sandy soil, these flowers now grow wild in Cape Cod. Shrub-like plants grow up to 6 feet high. Salt spray roses, nearly 4 inches in diameter, are purple with five petals. Fall blossoms become large rosehips used for jelly and tea.

Hydrangeas

• Blue hydrangeas are considered to be a signature plant in Cape Cod that blooms from summer into fall. In Cape Cod the panicle hydrangea is referred to as the Pee Gee hydrangea. This plant can grow to heights up to twenty feet. From July into September it produces large pyramid shaped panicles that are 6 to 8 inches long.

Aster

• The white wood aster is a perennial ground covering that blooms white flowers in late August into September. This native wildflower can be found in shady areas and under hedges. Other members of the aster family, such as wisteria-blue and rose serenade, prefer full sunlight and bloom from mid-August through October. To ensure a strong bushy plant that won’t topple over when in bloom, they should be pinched back in Summer.

Goldenrod

• The goldenrod of Cape Cod blooms along beach paths and is a major player in dune restoration and wildlife habitat projects along the Atlantic coastal regions. The Seaside goldenrod is a three to five foot tall perennial that produces an abundance of flowers along the entire length of the stem. These bright golden flowers bloom from late August to early October.

Purple Coneflower

• Tall stems that produce purple, pink or white blooms from June through August are attractive to the Monarch butterfly. The purple coneflower is a member of the aster family and is better known as Echinacea. This flower is commonly used for a variety of medicinal purposes by herbalists all over the world.

Yellow Was Bells (Kirengeshoma)

• Kirengeshoma is a shade perennial that blossoms with large, bell-like, lemon-yellow flowers in August and September. The foliage is a very dark green, providing a vivid color contrast with its blooms. This bushy plant will spread so leave lots of room for it to grow without smothering other plants or cut back at season’s end.