ZINNIAS

With their love for warmth, zinnias are a dependable choice for summer blooming, brightening up your garden with an array of jewel-colored flowers that last for weeks.

The zinnia family offers a variety of options, from small, daisy-like blooms to large pom-poms and everything in between, giving you plenty of choices to match your garden’s aesthetic.

Consider planting the hybrid Profusion zinnias, which continue to bloom well into the fall season. If you’re looking for plants to add to your borders or bedding, the dwarf zinnias are a great choice.

To ensure a healthy growth and long-lasting blooms, plant zinnias in a sunny location with well-draining soil. While zinnias thrive in hot weather, regular watering and feeding will help them reach their full potential.

HYDRANGEAS

For a garden bursting with long-lasting blooms from spring through summer, perennials are the way to go. Among them, hydrangeas reign supreme, with large flower heads that keep coming even after the blooming season has passed.

With their different varieties such as Bigleaf, Oakleaf, Panicle, and Smooth, hydrangeas offer plenty of choices to match your garden’s style. You can even plant different types in various locations for a diverse and eye-catching display.

When planting hydrangeas, it’s essential to consider their sun and water requirements carefully. Propagated from cuttings, these perennials prefer morning sun and afternoon shade in warmer regions, while they can tolerate full sun in cooler areas.

Hydrangeas thrive in regions with cool summers and can handle full sun exposure for most of the day. However, in areas with very warm summers, they prefer morning sun and afternoon shade to prevent stress and damage to the plant.

MARIGOLD 

French Marigolds are a popular choice among gardeners for their ability to keep pests away from vegetable gardens. With their compact, bushy, and slightly spreading habit, they add a pop of color and charm to any garden.

With their signature yellow-orange flowers, French marigolds typically feature varying amounts of red-maroon in a single or double layer of petals. African marigolds, on the other hand, grow tall and upright, producing large pom-poms in yellow, orange, and cream.

French and African marigolds, as well as the petite ‘Signet’ marigolds, thrive in warm weather and bloom continuously from spring until the first frost, adding a cheerful touch to any garden.

While marigolds are easily grown from seeds, it’s important to note that seeds collected from hybrids may not produce the expected results. Consider using them as bedding plants in sunny areas, and make sure to water them regularly to keep them healthy and blooming.

ASTER

Asters are a delightful addition to any garden, with their delicate daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, lavender, and white. Blooming from early summer to fall, their cut-and-come-back nature ensures that your vases stay full and your flower beds stay bright.

While asters can be started from seeds, it’s best to purchase young plants for the most reliable results. Plant them out in the spring for summer blooming that typically lasts through the fall.

Asters thrive in both full sun and partial sun, but they’re not fond of excessive heat. For best results, plant them in rich, moist soil with good drainage to bring out their natural beauty.

DAYLILIES

Daylilies are a cheerful addition to any garden, blooming from spring to fall. While each flower lasts just one day, a continuous succession of blooms ensures that your garden stays bright and lively throughout the season.

With their long stalks and eye-catching blooms, daylilies are sure to draw attention wherever they’re planted. They’re an excellent choice for brightening up even the most remote corners of your garden.

Daylilies are easily propagated from divisions, making them an accessible choice for any gardener. For small gardens, the shorter hybrid Stella de Oro is an excellent option, boasting the longest flowering season of any daylily, spanning a full five months.

PETUNIA

As annuals, petunias offer one of the longest flowering seasons in the garden, blooming from mid-spring all the way through late fall.

The trailing habit of hybrid petunias, like the popular Purple Wave variety, make them both floriferous and versatile. Originally introduced in purple, they’re now available in a range of shades, including pink, purple, blue, red, and creamy white.

While petunia seeds can be difficult to start indoors, young plants are readily available in nursery flats, making them an easy addition to any garden. Plant them in well-draining beds in a sunny location once all danger of frost has passed, or grow them in containers, where they thrive as hanging plants. Regular watering and feeding will keep them healthy and happy throughout the season.

COREOPSIS

Tickseed, also known as Coreopsis, is a beloved favorite among gardeners. Although it’s a perennial in warmer regions, it’s mostly grown as an annual in other areas.

The yellow and gold flowers of Coreopsis bloom on long, thin stems that rise above the foliage, creating a stunning display. They start appearing in late spring and continue to bloom non-stop until the end of fall. Regular deadheading can encourage even more flowers.

For optimal growth, plant Coreopsis in a sunny location. They make great ground covers and bedding plants that can add a pop of color to your garden.

PURPLE CONEFLOWER / ECHINACEA

The stunning Purple Coneflower is a must-have in every garden. This native plant produces large, purplish-pink flowers with a prominent cone-shaped center, which is why it is also called Echinacea.

New hybrids offer a wider variety of color and form choices now, making it even more desirable.

Propagation is easy through root or clump divisions, but once planted, this perennial prefers not to be disturbed.

The Purple Coneflower blooms continuously from summer through fall, and its flowers are not only beautiful but also have medicinal properties. They can be harvested to make a flavorful herbal tea.

ROSE OF SHARON/HARDY HIBISCUS

Rose of Sharon, a stunning perennial hibiscus, is perfect for USDA zones 5-8. This striking plant produces an array of gorgeous blooms in shades of pink, peach, and red.

While individual flowers may not be as large as those of tropical hibiscus, this hardy relative makes up for it with the sheer profusion of flowers it produces. From late spring to the first frost, it keeps producing blooms that are sure to impress.

To grow hardy hibiscus, make sure to plant it in rich, well-draining soil in a sunny location. If you live in an area with hot summers, some afternoon shade will be appreciated. Keep the soil moist with regular watering and mulching, and give it an occasional feeding to help the plant continue its impressive flower production.

RUDBECKIA

Rudbeckia, a native wildflower, has earned its place in our gardens thanks to its large, showy flowers and prolific blooming habit. The bright yellow petals surrounding the brownish black center disc create a striking contrast.

While Rudbeckia is a perennial, the smaller Rudbeckia hirta can be grown as an annual if started early enough. They start flowering in early summer and continue until fall in most zones. However, in areas with hot summers, flowering may start in fall and extend into winter. To grow Rudbeckia, plant them in a sunny location with rich, well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist with regular watering and occasional feeding to promote continued flower production.