Many of us have trouble keeping plants alive in our flower garden, and have quite the “black thumb”. Either we are too busy to care for them, or our gardens have issues that make it difficult. Hot, dry sites, poor soil or bad weather. Don’t let that stop you from growing flowers! There is hope for even the most murderous of gardeners. You can grow a flower garden, and you can plant them today and trust they will still be there next year, and the year after that. These easy flower lists prove that. Yes, you still have to make sure they get the occasional drink of water, and make sure you aren’t planting them deep in the barren wasteland of the Arctic…but other than that? Here are TGG’s best picks for easy flowers to grow for a stunning flower garden!
Easy Flowers to Grow for a Stunning Flower Garden
Easy to Grow – Annual Flowers List
Alyssum
Alyssum is an easy to grow flower that you can either buy as plants or grow from seed. It is a low growing plant that blooms all summer long. Drought resistant and a sun lover, it is one of the most popular ‘front of the garden’ filler flowers around. Super easy to grow from seed direct in the garden, it will self seed and come back every year. Six inches high and a bit wider, this is a great flower garden idea for edging. You can find both white and purple varieties at ‘Burpee‘.
Zinnias
Zinnias are gorgeous cut flowers for your flower garden that are full of color and texture, perfect for the middle of the bed . Another annual on our list that is easy to grow from seed, these pretty flowers come in tons of colors, and most varieties are from 18 inches to 2 feet tall. These are sun lovers and need moderate water. The more you cut the flowers, the more they return! You can find more than 40 different varieties of Zinnia seed at ‘Burpee‘. Our favorite is the “Tequila Lime“, go check it out! The “Giant Flowered Mix“, below, is a perfect choice for mixed flower bouquets from your garden!
Cosmos
This flower is an annual, which means it dies after one season, but it reseeds itself so prolifically you would never know it! Each season new seedlings will come up on their own, with no help from you at all. Beautiful daisy like flowers are borne on tall ferny foliage in purples, pinks and whites. All they need is a little water and at least half a day of sun, and they will provide you with armfuls of cut flowers all season long. This is our best budget pick… easily grown from one packet of seeds, and renews itself each year after that with no more seeding needed. Simply rake your spot smooth, sprinkle seeds, lightly cover with dirt and water…That’s it! They will do the rest… This flower is great as filler in a garden bed that has empty spots, or makes a dramatic show as a flower bed in and of itself. The most common variety is Cosmos “Sensation Mixed“, (below) but they come in many pink, white, purple and even orange varieties. Even double flowering! You can check out more types of Cosmos seeds at ‘Burpee‘.
Nasturtiums
These easy flowers are best grown in an area with cooler summers, or planted with some afternoon shade. One of the best things about nasturtiums is that there are both trailing and compact varieties, depending on how you want to use them. Also, did you know these annual flowers are edible? As long as you don’t use chemicals on them, you can add the blossoms to salads or drinks. Perfect for the front of the border, these flowers are favorites for children’s gardens and are usually in oranges and reds. (There is one pink variety though!) Here’s our best source for nasturtium seeds.
Sunflowers
We know what you’re thinking… you don’t have room for sunflowers, right? But do you know how many different varieties of them you can find now? Dwarf sunflowers, mid sized sunflowers, even Teddy Bear sunflowers! You can’t find an easier flower to grow than this one. Here’s a tip… you know how sunflowers heads turn to face the sun? That’s only when they are young. Once mature, their heads will only face east. (Think sunrise!) Keep this in mind when deciding where to plant them. Find over 40 varieties of sunflower seed at ‘Burpee‘. We love “Teddy Bear” for it’s double flowers, and it’s mid sized too! The variety below is “Mammoth Russian“, the most common type to grow for it’s huge flower heads and seeds.
Easy to Grow – Perennial Flowers List
Coneflowers
The hottest perennial in any nursery are coneflowers, and with good reason. Originally purple wildflowers from the prairie states, these new hybrids have been bred to provide incredible color varieties, compact form and still retain the drought and disease resistance of the original plant. We love some of the new tropical colors, like “Sombrero Salsa Red” or “Warm Summer”. Also, green and white varieties, and even double flowering forms! Some dwarf varieties are great for containers, try “Pow Wow Wild Berry“, one of our new favs. These perennial flowers require moderate watering, come back every year, and do well in sun or part shade. Fun fact: The parent plant, Echinacea, is the same herbal supplement many use to ward off colds and fevers! Order your coneflower plants in one of 28 awesome varieties from ‘Burpee‘. Perfect for butterfly gardens.
Yarrow
A tough and beautiful pick for any flower garden in full sun, yarrow is an easy flower to grow no matter how black your thumb may be. Flowers are tightly packed on flat heads, giving some architectural structure to your flower beds. This plant thrives on neglect, loves poor soil, and blooms right through the summer. It’s most common color is yellow, but there are also varieties in pink, red, salmon and white. The foliage is ferny and lower to the ground, but the flower stalks can be anywhere from twelve inches to four feet off the ground! Foliage can be anything from a deep green to a soft sagey gray depending on variety. It starts blooming early summer, and keeps going through the fall. Cut back dying flower stalks to improve flowering all season long. No fertilizer needed as yarrow prefers poor soil. I water mine twice a week during the heat of the summer. Water new plants more often until their root systems get established. Few pests or disease bother this plant. Also makes a great cut and dried flower! We like the warm red & pink variety “Cherries Jubilee“.
Salvia
Perennial salvia is a bit different from the red annual variety you find at the home improvement store. Usually in pinks, purples or white, salvia tolerates full sun or afternoon shade. This easy flower will bloom all summer long if your deadhead those older blooms that are past their prime. Loved by bees and butterflies. Plant en masse for a gorgeous effect. Looks amazing with pink roses if you want a cottage garden look. This is our favorite, “Rose Queen“.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis was the first perennial I ever grew back in my teens, and it is just as stunning now. This sun lover will bloom its head off all summer, and all it wants in return is moderate watering (it is drought tolerant) and well drained soil. I really don’t know how you could look at this sunny flower every day and not smile! Plant with salvia for a great companion plant. Order your coreopsis plants at ‘Burpee‘. Very heat tolerant.
Verbena
Perennial verbena is not like the common bedding plant. This is a tall, airy masterpiece of a flower that is simple to grow, and attracts butterflies as well. Check the tag or make sure you are buying “Verbena Bonariensis” plants online. This is a striking plant 3-4 feet tall that loves sun and is drought tolerant. Perfect for the back of the flower garden.
Plant any of these easy flowers, and you will be a master gardener in no time. Pick 3-5 of your favorites of different heights, and mass them in a flower garden bed to provide an easy, summer long display of color.
Have you planted any of these? Share your stories with our readers in the comments, or let us know what plants you think are “un-killable”! We think you will also love our posts on Hanging Flower Basket Secrets and Fantastic Flower Beds!
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