The Champlain Valley (including Burlington and South Burlington) is one of the warmest, longest growing parts of Vermont—sometimes called the state’s “banana belt” because of Lake Champlain’s moderating effect.

That influence creates a wide palette of summer plants compared to the rest of the state, allowing gardens here to stretch further and bloom longer.

Summer in the Champlain Valley does not arrive all at once. It eases in—soft mornings, longer light, and a steady warming that seems to rise from the lake itself. By mid-June, the shift is unmistakable. Gardens, quiet for months, begin to stretch and fill, their early restraint giving way to color, texture, and movement.

THE FIRST FLOURISH

Garden foliage arrives in waves. Daylilies rise quickly, their vivid blooms appearing almost overnight, lighting up borders and roadsides. Close behind come the essential perennials: bee balm, coneflower, and black-eyed Susan.

Bee balm, with its slightly untamed form and saturated reds and pinks, brings immediate life. Hummingbirds hover, dart, and return in looping patterns. Coneflowers stand more quietly, their sturdy forms holding steady through heat and wind. Black-eyed Susans create a sense of continuity—fields of gold that echo the sun. Together, these plants form the foundation of a Champlain Valley summer: resilient, sun-loving, and deeply connected to the rhythms of pollinators.

 Peonies, Coneflowers, Blue Flax, and Dahlias. Photos courtesy of Shelburne Farms and Red Wagon.

EVOLVING COLOR

Unlike more formal landscapes, gardens here are rarely fixed; they shift. One bloom fades as another rises, each overlapping just enough to keep the scene in motion.

 By July, the effect is immersive. Bees move steadily from flower to flower. Butterflies drift through open spaces. Even the air seems to carry the hum of activity.

Peonies bloom in a quiet but unmistakable display. Their forms are generous—full, layered, and almost impossibly soft. Whites, blush pinks, and deep rose tones gather in clusters, catching the morning light. They bloom briefly, but their presence lingers, drawing visitors to pause and take in the quiet abundance.

Blue Bacopa and African Violets. Photos courtesy of Red Wagon and Claussen's.

NATURE NURTURES

Beyond cultivated gardens, native plants define the region. Milkweed supports monarch butterflies, while goldenrod provides late-season nectar. Asters follow, signaling the shift toward fall. Along roadsides and meadows, these plants create a changing tapestry—one shaped by the valley’s soils, moisture, and climate. They offer a model of beauty grounded in resilience. Shrubs bring structure. Hydrangeas thrive, their blooms shifting color through the season. Summer sweet adds fragrance, its late blooms carrying scent through warm evenings. These elements anchor the garden, providing continuity as flowers come and go.

 A lush organic garden at Shelburne Farms, featuring hoop houses used to extend the growing season. Photo courtesy of Shelburne Farms.

IT’S AN ANNUAL AFFAIR

Annuals bring immediacy. Petunias spill from containers, marigolds endure the heat, and zinnias add bold color. They allow for experimentation and seasonal expression—an opportunity to embrace color and change.

 Plant orchids in a chunky bark mix, and only water when the roots fade from vibrant greento a silvery-gray. Orchids require bright, indirect light, and these stunning epiphytes will rewardyou with gorgeous petals for months. Photo courtesy of Claussen's.

LEANING INTO FALL

By August, the garden reaches fullness. Hydrangeas peak. Coneflowers persist. Goldenrod begins to glow. The light softens, stretching across gardens and fields. The season tapers gently toward fall.

Where to Buy Your Blooms

From landmark gardens to small, plant-loving nurseries, these Champlain Valley stops are great places to find summer standouts—and the local know-how to help them thrive at home.

SHELBURNE FARMS

1611 Harbor Road

Shelburne, VT

www.shelburnefarms.org

A quintessential Champlain Valley landscaper, with iconic peony displays and sweeping lake views.

RED WAGON PLANTS

2408 Shelburne Falls Road

Hinesburg, VT

www.redwagonplants.com

A destination nursery specializing in hardy perennials and pollinator-friendly plants

CLAUSSEN’S FLORIST, GREENHOUSE & PERENNIAL FARM

789 U.S. Route 2A

Colchester, VT

www.claussens.com

A longtime local favorite for annuals, perennials, and garden inspiration.

UVM HORTICULTURE RESEARCH CENTER

65 Green Mountain Drive,

South Burlington, VT

www.uvm.edu/hrec

Trial gardens and research plantings showcase what thrives locally.

ROCK POINT

20 Rock Point Road

Burlington, VT

www.rockpointvt.org

A natural setting with trails and native plant communities along Lake Champlain.