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25 Brilliant Summer Flowers for a Gorgeous Garden Bed

By: Melissa Pino Published: 4 Jul, 24

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a garden bursting with vibrant colors and lush foliage.

With longer, warmer days ahead, specific flowers thrive better than others—providing continuous blooms and attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Careful planning and plant selection can create a landscape overflowing with color, fragrance, and life.

As a master gardener, I’ve curated a list of the best summer flowers to keep your garden looking its best throughout the warm season.

Peony

Blooming pink peony flowers in the garden

Scientific name: Paeonia spp.
Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Well-drained, rich in organic matter
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Hardiness zones: 3-8

Peonies aren’t just about looks—their big, fragrant blossoms will add amazing texture to your garden, too.

You can’t go wrong with the colors either, from classic white to deep reds.

Peonies are perennials, so they return year after year, getting even showier with time. They live for decades!

I’ve found that they also make fantastic cut flowers! Just keep their pots in a sunny spot, water them well, and deadhead any fading buds.

These low-maintenance stars are perfect for beginner gardeners and will reward you with a stunning summer display.

Marigold

Scientific name: Tagetes spp.
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: Annual in all zones

Marigolds are hardy annuals known for their bright orange and yellow flowers.

They thrive in full sun and are easy to grow, making them perfect for borders, containers, and companion planting to deter pests.

Plant them in well-drained soil with at least six hours of sunlight daily. I also recommend giving them some afternoon shade if you live in hotter areas. This can help extend their blooms for longer.

Marigolds are also popular for their long blooming period and low maintenance—ideal for summer gardens in any USDA plant hardiness zone.

Dahlia

Scientific name: Dahlia spp.
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained, fertile soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: 8-11

Dahlias come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from small pom-poms to large dinner plate-sized flowers, and they can bring a vibrant splash of color to any garden.

These tuberous perennials are fantastic for cut flowers and thrive in borders or containers.

They bloom from midsummer until frost, offering a continuous display of colors.

I advise regular deadheading to help encourage this extended blooming period.

Just plant the tubers in spring, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning flowers throughout the summer and into fall.

Shasta Daisy

Scientific name: Leucanthemum × superbum
Growing conditions: Full, partial sun
Soil type: Loamy, moist but well-drained
Bloom time: Spring, summer
Hardiness zones: 5-9

Shasta daisies, with their bright white petals and sunny yellow centers, add classic beauty to any garden.

These low-maintenance perennials are reliable bloomers that thrive in various soil conditions.

Their dark green-toothed foliage stays evergreen in milder climates, making them a year-round favorite in my garden.

Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooms throughout the summer, extending the daisy’s presence in your garden.

Morning Glory

Scientific name: Ipomoea spp.
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
Bloom time: Summer to early fall
Hardiness zones: Annual in all zones

Morning glories are my secret weapon for adding vertical interest to summer gardens.

Every morning, their beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers open in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, putting on a dazzling display.

These fast-growing vines can climb 6-10 feet in a single season, meaning they can easily climb fences and trellises.

They’re super easy to grow from seed, love full sun, and bloom all summer—just plant them and watch them grow!

Lavender

Scientific name: Lavandula spp.
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained, slightly alkaline
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Hardiness zones: 5-9

Lavender offers more than just a soothing fragrance; its purple flowers and silver-green foliage will also add elegance to gardens.

This drought-tolerant perennial is excellent for borders, herb gardens, and containers and attracts bees and butterflies.

Plus, there’s a variety for everyone—some lavender blooms early in spring, while others will continue blooming until late summertime.

You can’t go wrong with this fragrant favorite!

Coreopsis

Scientific name: Coreopsis spp.
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained soil, tolerates poor soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: 4-9

Coreopsis, also known as “tickseed,” is valued for its bright yellow flowers.

These drought-tolerant annuals or perennials are easy to grow and attract butterflies, making them a cheerful and low-maintenance addition to your summer garden.

If you want to keep those yellow blossoms coming, I recommend cutting the spent flowers or trimming the plant after its first round of flowers.

Additionally, these flowers are easy to grow. Varieties like Coreopsis grandiflora and Coreopsis verticillata are spread by rhizomes and will often self-seed.

Anthurium

Scientific name: Anthurium spp.
Growing conditions: Partial shade
Soil type: Well-drained, rich, and moist soil
Bloom time: Year-round, peaks in summer
Hardiness zones: 10-11

Anthuriums will bring a tropical flair to your garden with their glossy leaves and vibrant, waxy buds, often in red, pink, or white shades.

Also known as “flamingo flowers,” they thrive in humid conditions and are perfect for adding color to shaded garden areas or window boxes.

These summer flower plants are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, so I highly recommend them if you’re busy or a beginner gardener.

Deadheading Anthuriums occasionally will also encourage them to flower even more.

Zinnia

Scientific name: Zinnia elegans
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained, rich
Bloom time: Summer to frost
Hardiness zones: 2-11

Zinnias are celebrated for their vivid hues and easy care. From deep reds to bright yellows, they come in almost every color.

Plant them in full sun, and they’ll reward you with non-stop flowering all summer.

Zinnias are perfect for beginner gardeners because they’re low-maintenance and can even be used as cut flowers to bring some summer cheer indoors!

These summer annuals are also known to attract butterflies.

Hydrangea

Scientific name: Hydrangea spp.
Growing conditions: Minimal shade to full sun
Soil type: Well-drained, rich soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: 3-9

I love Hydrangeas for their large, showy flower clusters that can change color based on soil pH.

These shrubs are excellent for creating focal points in the garden and thrive in well-drained soil.

Aim for a spot that gets a good amount of morning sunlight, but is shaded in the afternoon.

Get it right, and not only will your garden be the envy of the neighborhood, but you’ll also have the most stunning cut flowers and dried arrangements to bring indoors.

Black-Eyed Susans

Scientific name: Rudbeckia spp.
Growing conditions: Full sun to light shade
Soil type: Well-drained soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: 3-9

Black-Eyed Susans are my go-to when I want to add a cheerful accent to my planters.

These cheerful perennials have bright yellow petals with dark centers and are just as tough as they look. They’re extremely winter hardy and can survive in -30° F weather.

They thrive in full sun with well-drained soil, so borders, roadsides, and anywhere sunny are perfect.

Plus, they attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other good insects.

Yarrow

Scientific name: Achillea millefolium
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: 3-9

Yarrow is a hardy perennial with clusters of tiny flowers in various colors, including white, yellow, and pink.

Its feathery foliage and drought-resistant nature make it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens.

Yarrow thrives in the heat of summer and attracts butterflies while being deer-resistant.

Plant it in borders or anywhere sunny, and enjoy its cheerful flowers all summer long.

Lantana

Scientific name: Lantana spp.
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: 8-11

Lantanas are colorful shrubs known for their clusters of small, vibrant flowers that attract hummingbirds.

These natives of South America and Africa love heat and humidity, so they bloom with bright, cheerful flowers all season long.

In my experience, they’re absolutely perfect for adding color to borders and containers.

So, if you want to bring some tropical vibes to your garden, lantanas are the way to go!

Gerbera Daisy

Scientific name: Gerbera jamesonii
Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Slightly acidic well-drained soil
Bloom time: Early summer to late fall
Hardiness zones: Warmer zones (zones 7-10)

With its cheerful blossoms and vibrant colors, the gerbera daisy is a popular choice for summer gardens and flower baskets.

They do best when they get plenty of morning sun, but if your summers get scorching hot, I’ve found that some afternoon shade helps them keep their happy glow.

These flowers are generally considered annuals in colder climates (zones below 7) and perennials in warmer zones (zones 7-10).

However, with proper care, you might be able to overwinter them in colder zones.

Globe Amaranth

Scientific name: Gomphrena globosa
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: Annual in all zones

Globe amaranth is an annual known for its unique, pompom-shaped flowers in vibrant shades of pink, purple, and white.

These drought-tolerant plants thrive in full sun and are excellent whether planted in borders, containers, or as cut flowers.

Plus, it dries beautifully for lovely, dried flower arrangements.

Verbena

Scientific name: Verbena spp.
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: 7-11

Verbena is a low-growing perennial that produces clusters of small, colorful flowers.

The kinds I’ve grown typically feature opposite leaves that can be toothed, lobed, or dissected.

It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for ground covers, borders, porch planters, and containers.

Verbena is known for its long blooming period and ability to attract pollinators.

Allium

Scientific name: Allium spp.
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained soil
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Hardiness zones: 4-9

Alliums, also known as “ornamental onions,” are hardy perennials with spherical clusters of tiny flowers.

They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, adding architectural interest to gardens with their unique flower shapes.

As a bonus, Alliums are deer-resistant and attract pollinators, making them an excellent choice for adding both beauty and function to your landscape.

I recommend these flowers if you want to protect your garden from roaming critters!

Angelonia

Scientific name: Angelonia angustifolia
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: 9-11

Angelonias, often called summer snapdragons, are known for their spiky flowers and vibrant colors, including shades of purple, pink, and white.

Their upright growing habit makes them very suitable for border gardens and as cut flowers.

These annuals thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, so I recommend them for hot summer gardens.

Aster

Scientific name: Aster spp.
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
Hardiness zones: 4-8

Asters are late-blooming perennials that I’ve found will add color to gardens, even while many other plants begin fading.

Their w come in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white.

Most varieties prefer full sun, but some can handle a little shade. Just give them some water in the spring and summer and watch them grow.

Portulaca

Scientific name: Portulaca grandiflora
Growing conditions: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained, sandy soil
Bloom time: Summer
Hardiness zones: Annual in all zones

Portulaca, also known as “moss rose” and “purslane,” is one of the few annual succulents that thrive in full sun.

Depending on the variety, they’ll grow to be about 6 inches tall and 1-1.5 feet wide.

They come in various bright colors and boast double flowers, resembling miniature roses with extra petals.

Its rose-like flowers come in various bright colors, making it a perfect choice for rock gardens, borders, and containers.

Hibiscus

Scientific name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Growing conditions: Full sun to light shade
Soil type: Well-drained, fertile soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: 9-11

These beauties boast huge, colorful flowers that bloom around June to July and last through fall.

They love hot weather, so I’d advise planting them in full sun for the best growth.

However, if your summers get scorching, some afternoon shade in the hottest part of the day will help them out.

Plant hibiscus along or at the back of your perennial flower beds for a striking display.

Carnation

Scientific name: Dianthus caryophyllus
Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Well-drained, slightly alkaline soil
Bloom time: Late spring to summer
Hardiness zones: 3-9

Carnations, also known as “clove pinks,” are among my favorite flowers. They’re beloved for their frilly, fragrant flowers that come in various colors, including pink, red, white, and variegated shades.

Variegated hybrids have expanded the color range with white carnations that can be dyed for special occasions.

These herbaceous perennials are often grown as annuals and are ideal for cut flowers and arrangements.

I suggest practicing regular deadheading for this plant to promote continuous blooming throughout the summer.

Periwinkle

Scientific name: Vinca minor
Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Well-drained soil
Bloom time: Spring to summer
Hardiness zones: 4-9

Periwinkle, also known as “Vinca,” is a versatile ground cover that produces small, blue-violet flowers.

It thrives in well-drained soil and can tolerate full sun to partial shade.

Periwinkle’s evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, and its flowers add a pop of color in the warmer months.

If you need to control erosion on sloped areas or add beauty to shaded spots in your garden, use Periwinkles!

Coneflower

Scientific name: Echinacea purpurea
Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Well-drained
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Hardiness zones: 3-9

Coneflowers, with their distinctive cone-shaped centers and pinkish-purple petals, are beloved for their durability and low maintenance.

They thrive in a range of soil types, and I’ve found they can even withstand drought.

Coneflowers are also beneficial for pollinators and are excellent for cut flower arrangements.

Their long blooming period lasts from around June to September. Their vibrant colors also make them excellent for borders, wildflower gardens, and bouquets.