At Land Design Associates, June is one of our favorite times of year — not just to design and plant, but to walk through gardens we’ve created and watch them hit their stride. This month’s plant spotlight is our curated guide to what’s blooming right now on the South Shore, why each plant earns its place in a well-designed garden, and how you can use these performers to elevate your own Hingham, Cohasset, or Duxbury property.

Mountain Laurel: The South Shore’s Native Star

If there’s one plant that defines a New England June, it’s Kalmia latifolia — mountain laurel. This native broadleaf evergreen puts on a spectacular show from late May through mid-June, producing dense clusters of pink, white, or bicolor blooms that look intricate enough to be handcrafted. In the dappled light under a coastal oak canopy, mountain laurel in full bloom is simply stunning.

Mountain laurel is an ideal plant for South Shore properties for several reasons beyond its beauty. It’s native to Massachusetts, which means it’s perfectly adapted to the soil, moisture, and temperature conditions found in Hingham, Cohasset, and Duxbury. It’s also reliably deer-resistant — a significant advantage for properties on the outer South Shore where deer pressure is heavy. Once established, it requires minimal supplemental water, making it a sustainable choice for homeowners who want a lower-maintenance landscape.

Where to Use Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel thrives in part shade to full shade with well-drained, acidic soil — conditions that match the woodland edges and understory zones common on many South Shore properties. Use it as a foundation planting beneath mature trees, as a naturalistic hedge along a property line, or as a transitional plant between a manicured garden zone and a more naturalistic area. Land Design Associates often pairs mountain laurel with oakleaf hydrangea and native ferns for a layered woodland garden that looks spectacular in June and provides year-round structure.

Hydrangeas: The Icon of South Shore Summer Gardens

No plant is more synonymous with South Shore garden style than the hydrangea. From the classic blue mopheads that line historic streets in Cohasset to the blush-pink panicle hydrangeas anchoring new landscapes in Duxbury, hydrangeas are a foundational element of the regional aesthetic — and June is when the first varieties begin their show.

Endless Summer and Bigleaf Hydrangeas

The Endless Summer series of bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) is among the most asked-about plants we work with at Land Design Associates. These reblooming varieties open their first flush in June and continue producing blooms all the way into September — an extraordinary performance for a single plant. In the South Shore’s naturally acidic coastal soils, the blooms often lean toward the blue end of the spectrum, which is deeply appealing to homeowners who associate blue hydrangeas with the classic New England summer look.

Bigleaf hydrangeas perform best in morning sun with afternoon shade — a condition easily created on South Shore properties with the right siting. They prefer consistently moist soil, so mulching heavily around the root zone helps them through dry July and August spells.

Little Lime Panicle Hydrangeas

For sunnier spots or more structured settings — along a driveway, flanking an entry, or in a formal mixed border — the Little Lime panicle hydrangea is one of our top recommendations for Hingham, Cohasset, and Duxbury gardens. It opens in late June with chartreuse-white blooms that deepen to pink and burgundy as the season progresses, giving you months of evolving color from a single, compact, extremely tough plant. Unlike bigleaf hydrangeas, panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood, meaning late-season pruning or winter dieback won’t sacrifice next year’s blooms.

Catmint: The Workhorse You Didn’t Know You Needed

Catmint (Nepeta) doesn’t get the same attention as hydrangeas or roses, but among landscape designers, it’s considered one of the most reliable, versatile, and beautiful perennials available for South Shore gardens. In June, Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ and ‘Six Hills Giant’ produce cascading waves of soft lavender-blue flowers that pair beautifully with almost everything — roses, salvia, ornamental grasses, and the silvery foliage of coastal plants.

Catmint checks every box for the South Shore conditions: it’s drought-tolerant once established, salt-spray tolerant, deer-resistant, and beloved by pollinators — particularly bumblebees and native bees. Cut it back by one-third after the first flush fades in late June, and it will rebloom generously in late summer.

At Land Design Associates, we frequently use catmint as an edging plant along stone pathways and patio borders in Hingham and Cohasset gardens. Its soft, billowing habit softens hard edges and creates that effortlessly romantic quality that characterizes the best coastal New England gardens.

Salvia: Blue Spires for Pollinator Gardens

Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’ is one of the strongest-performing perennials in the South Shore landscape palette. Its deep indigo-purple flower spikes open in late May and continue through June, creating a vertical accent that pairs especially well with the rounded forms of hydrangeas and the sprawling habit of catmint. Salvia is fully hardy in USDA Zone 6 (which encompasses most of the South Shore), deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and an outstanding pollinator plant.

For homeowners in Duxbury and the outer South Shore who want to support native bees, hummingbirds, and monarch butterflies, incorporating generous drifts of salvia into a mixed border is one of the most impactful things you can do. Land Design Associates often pairs salvia with ornamental grasses and native coneflowers to create pollinator corridors that provide interest and habitat value from June through October.

Climbing Roses: Vertical Drama for Pergolas and Fences

June is the primary bloom month for most climbing roses, and a well-established climbing rose on a pergola or garden fence is one of the most breathtaking sights in a South Shore garden. For coastal properties, rose selection matters — you want varieties that have proven disease resistance and can tolerate coastal humidity without succumbing to black spot or powdery mildew.

At Land Design Associates, we favor the Knock Out and Drift rose families for lower-maintenance applications, and disease-resistant climbers like ‘New Dawn,’ ‘Climbing Iceberg,’ and ‘Fourth of July’ for structures and fences. All of these perform reliably in the South Shore’s climate, require minimal spray programs, and put on a spectacular June show.

Pairing Roses with Clematis for Extended Bloom

One of our favorite design moves for Cohasset and Hingham pergolas is pairing a climbing rose with a late-season clematis. The rose carries the show through June; as it fades, the clematis (which blooms July through September) takes over on the same structure. It’s an elegant succession planting strategy that delivers near-continuous bloom with no additional footprint.

Black-Eyed Susans: Native Brightness for Mid-June

Rudbeckia hirta — the black-eyed Susan — is one of the most cheerful and reliable native perennials for South Shore gardens. Its golden-yellow daisy flowers with dark centers begin appearing in mid-June and continue through August, providing a warm contrast to the cool blues and purples of catmint and salvia. It’s native to Massachusetts, meaning it’s perfectly adapted to local conditions, supports a wide range of native insects, and requires no supplemental irrigation once established.

Black-eyed Susans naturalize freely in sunny borders, making them an excellent choice for the drier, sandier soils common in parts of Duxbury and the outer South Shore. Use them in generous drifts — three, five, or seven plants together — for maximum visual impact, and allow some to self-seed at the border’s edge for a naturalistic feel.

Planning for Next June: What to Do Now

The best June gardens don’t happen by accident — they’re the result of decisions made in late spring that set the stage for peak-season performance. If your garden isn’t delivering the June impact you want, now is actually the right time to start planning changes.

A mid-summer planting consultation with Land Design Associates allows us to assess what’s working in your Hingham, Cohasset, or Duxbury garden, identify gaps in your bloom sequence, and develop a planting plan that ensures next June looks spectacular. We can specify the right plants for your light conditions, soil type, deer pressure level, and maintenance preferences — and handle the installation so everything is ready for spring establishment.

We also recommend a seasonal review of your existing plantings each June. Take notes on what’s performing well and what has gaps, what’s outgrown its space, and where additional color or structure would improve the composition. These observations, made at peak season, are invaluable input for a fall planting session that sets you up for an even better garden next year.

Ready to Bring These Plants into Your South Shore Garden?

Land Design Associates has been creating beautiful, sustainable landscapes for South Shore homeowners in Hingham, Cohasset, Duxbury, and surrounding communities for years. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining a garden you love, we bring deep knowledge of the plants, soils, and microclimates that define South Shore outdoor living.

If you’d like to talk through what’s possible for your property this season, contact us to schedule a consultation. And if you’re just getting started on your outdoor space, take a look at our guide to prepping your outdoor entertaining space for summer — it’s the perfect companion to this plant spotlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What plants bloom in June on the South Shore of Massachusetts?

June bloomers for South Shore gardens include mountain laurel, Endless Summer hydrangeas, catmint, salvia, climbing roses, and black-eyed Susans. These are all well-suited to the coastal climate conditions in Hingham, Cohasset, and Duxbury.

Are hydrangeas good for coastal Massachusetts gardens?

Yes — hydrangeas are one of the most reliable and beloved plants for South Shore gardens. Bigleaf (mophead) hydrangeas thrive in the region’s acidic soils and often produce the classic blue blooms associated with coastal New England. Panicle hydrangeas like Little Lime are even tougher and more versatile for sunnier exposures.

What native plants bloom in June in Massachusetts?

Native June bloomers for Massachusetts gardens include mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), wild blue indigo (Baptisia australis), and native roses. These plants support local pollinators and wildlife while requiring minimal maintenance once established.

Does Land Design Associates offer planting consultations in Hingham, Cohasset, and Duxbury?

Yes — Land Design Associates serves homeowners throughout the South Shore including Hingham, Cohasset, Duxbury, and surrounding communities. Contact us to schedule a planting or landscape design consultation for your property.

Schedule Your Landscape Design Consultation Today

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Land Design Associates is ready to help you design and build an outdoor space that is functional, durable, and built around your lifestyle.

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Dreaded Deer in the Garden

When it comes to keeping your yard beautiful and thriving, protecting your garden from cute but menacing deer should be a top priority.

With some exceptions, deer will eat or at least trample on almost anything in your garden, and with fall upon us and the winter months fast approaching here in Greater Boston, suburban deer will want to feast on what’s available.

If deer are starving they will eat almost anything. This typically occurs when there is a heavy snow load or loss of habitat thereby reducing their natural foraging areas. This forces them out into your yard to sample your shrubbery and tulips. 

Why You Should Protect Your Landscaping Plants From Deer

Deer can be an amazing sight in your yard, but once they start feeding on common landscaping plants like your favorite hostas, they become a problem. They severely damage your landscape plantings, reducing them to mere sticks or eating them to the ground. Plus, easily accessible landscaping plants as a source of food will cause deer to congregate, increasing the odds of disease transmission.

Deer are creatures of habit, so once they find your hostas, they will return to finish them off. They eat fresh buds on trees and rub their antlers on tree trunks damaging bark. The best options to deter deer are physical barriers, removing plants they forage on and spraying plants with deterrents.

Top Methods for Deterring Deer in Greater Boston

Planting and Landscaping Tips to Protect Your Yard

1. Build a Landscaping Fence

The absolute best solution that is almost 100% effective is to install a fence. Some deer have the ability to jump as high as 12 feet, so any landscaping fence should be at least eight feet in height and well built so deer can’t jump over or break it.

Deer fences are most often made of welded wire or plastic and almost disappear into the surrounding landscape. A six-foot stockade fence is also effective as deer won’t jump over something if they can’t see the other side.

2. Select Good Landscaping Plants to Deter Deer

Proper plant selection is paramount to reducing damage. Yes, deer will eat almost anything but there are certain plants that they will skip over; it has to do more with the characteristics of plants.

Deer tend to dislike hairy or fuzzy foliage, such as lambs ear, yarrow or lungwort. The amount of “fuziness” isn’t important, as long as they have hairy leaves. Deer won’t touch your ornamental grasses, so plant away.

Also consider fragrant foliage. Most herbs fall into this category including sage, thyme, oregano and lavender. Deer will usually also pass over boxwood, salvias, bee balm and Russian sage. Crush the leaves of a plant before you purchase it and if it has a scent, the deer won’t eat it.

3. Liquid Sprays and Active Deterrents

If it’s too late and deer are already chomping away, some liquid deterrents can be effective. Spray repellents work by using taste and odor with an additive to help them stick to the plant. 

Some brands to try are Liquid Fence and Deer Away. Keep a few bottles by your door as they need to be sprayed weekly, or more if there’s rain.

Scaring deer away can be effective as well. I’ve had my small dogs bark out the windows and it seemed to work for a little while. Motion-activated sprinklers with infrared sensors, however, can work wonders and frighten deer with a spray of water.

Popular Landscaping Techniques to Deter Deer in the Boston Area

At Land Design Associates, we have been helping families with gardening and planting support for many years to help keep their yards looking stunning and stay deer-free! If you want to beautify your garden with popular landscaping plants and shrubs or fencing products and want to consult the experts in regards to deer retention, talk to us and we’ll be happy to help!