Summer is the best time of year to add new plants to your garden. Plants can enhance the beauty of your summer garden and add curb appeal to your yard. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite choices, making it easy for you to pick what plants you’d like to add to your garden!
You’ll have no problem finding these at any garden store or nursery—just keep them well-watered and they’ll do wonderfully.
Zinnias
Zinnias are easy to grow and a great choice for beginners. They’re also easy to start from seed indoors or sow directly into your garden after the last frost. They make a great addition to your summer garden in containers, borders and wildflower meadows. As well as being a feast for the eyes, zinnias offer good value as cut flowers too!
Mexican sunflowers
Mexican sunflowers are a great choice for a summer garden. They are fast growing, drought tolerant and attract pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Here’s what you need to know about this beautiful plant:
Mexican sunflowers are low maintenance. They don’t require much watering or fertilizing and can tolerate full sun or partial shade.
Mexican sunflowers are easy to grow in containers as well as in the ground with regular waterings (at least once per week).
Calendulas
Calendula is a perennial flower that is easy to grow and is a great addition to any summer garden. Calendulas are easy to grow from seed, but you can also buy plants from a nursery.
Calendulas are one of the easiest flowers for beginners to start with because they’re so versatile. You can harvest the petals for flower arranging or make them into teas, oils and tinctures. The dried flowers have been used in medicine since ancient times, sometimes by themselves but often in combination with other herbs such as chamomile or feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium).
Marigolds
Marigolds are a great plant to have in your garden because they’re easy to grow and will attract pollinators. They are also known for repelling pests, which is another plus if you want to keep bugs out of your garden. Marigolds are a good plant for beginners, since they can be grown easily from seeds or bought at any garden supply store.
Cleome (Spider flowers)
Cleome is a short-lived, tender annual that provides loads of color to your garden. It’s a good choice for a hot summer garden, as well as a sunny border or container. If you’re looking for an ornamental plant that can withstand some shade, cleome won’t be the best option for you; but if you want to add some color and drama to your garden in the heat of summer, this is one excellent choice!
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are an easy-to-grow plant that can be added to any garden. They can be started from seed or purchased as a small plant at your local nursery, and they’re perfect for beginner gardeners! Nasturtiums grow well in containers, so if you don’t have a lot of space, this is a great option for you.
The flowers themselves are beautiful, with their bright colors adding some fun variety to your summer landscape. You can use them as companion plants or add them to the salad bar at your next barbecue.
Cosmos
Cosmos is a popular annual flower. It’s easy to grow and can be planted in the ground, in pots or even in a sunroom. Cosmos attracts butterflies and other pollinators, making it a great option to bring life and color to your garden.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are a great choice for beginning gardeners. They’re easy to grow and care for, so you don’t have to spend your time worrying about the plants. Snapdragons are also a good choice for hot and dry climates or hot and humid climates, especially if you’re looking for a colorful flower that will last all summer long.
Snapdragons prefer soil with good drainage and full sun exposure, but they can tolerate partial shade as well. To keep your snapdragon plants happy and healthy, plant them in spring or early summer (before the heat sets in). Water them regularly—but not excessively—and fertilize them once every two weeks with an organic fertilizer or compost tea made from kitchen scraps.
Nicotiana (Flowering tobacco)
Nicotiana is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Nicotiana includes over 70 species of aromatic herbaceous plants of subtropical and tropical origin. Nicotiana contains some well-known garden plants, such as N. alata and N. sylvestris, but many of its other species are less commonly cultivated and can make excellent additions to your summer garden!
Petunias
If you’re looking for a plant that’s easy to grow, colorful, and attractive to birds and butterflies, petunias should be your go-to. Petunias are hardy plants that can grow in most climates and soil types. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, so there’s sure to be something for everyone! These flowering shrubs make excellent additions to containers or hanging baskets; they also look great in borders as well as window boxes.
Petunias have a long bloom season starting with early spring through late fall. The flowers come in many different colors including blue, pink and purple! Petunias are very attractive not only for their beauty but also because they attract hummingbirds and butterflies which will help pollinate them (although some species do self-pollinate).
Shasta daisies
Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) are a perennial sunflower that thrives in sunny, well-drained areas. Shasta daisies are easy to grow and prolific bloomers! They make great choices for hanging baskets or groundcovers, filling in gaps between other plants.
Bee balm (Monarda didyma).
This herbaceous perennial produces clumps of lavender-purple flowers in midsummer, which attract bees and butterflies alike. It can be grown in full sun or part shade and prefers average soil moisture levels with good drainage. The plant reaches 1 foot tall by 2 feet wide at maturity.
Best Plants for a Summer Garden: Final Thoughts
There you have it! The best plants for a summer garden. Your summer garden will be full of color and happy pollinators with these top-rated plants. By adding a few of these options to your garden, your garden will look balanced and be easy to maintain.
If you’re looking to add vegetables and produce to your summer garden as well, read our guide to the best vegetables for your summer garden. As you harvest a supply of fresh produce from your garden this summer, use the Lil’ Broc app to monitor the shelf life of your fruits and vegetables.