Delphiniums
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This striking perennial enjoys full or partial sun, along with well-drained soil. With more than 300 varieties of the flower, some of which can grow up to 6 feet tall, you can choose from pretty shades of blue, purple, white and pink.
Coreopsis
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Bring on the cheer with coreopsis, which favor consistent watering and well-drained, fertile soil. Place them in containers or beds and give them full sun or light shade. They tend to attract pollinators, like bees, too.
Globe Amaranth
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Brighten any garden with this bold annual that you can find in a range of shades, from purple to white. Native to Central America, the globe-shaped flowers add visual appeal to garden beds, borders and even containers. They like full sun and a regular watering schedule.
Lantana
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This hardy plant prefers full sun and water on a weekly basis once it’s mature. You’ll find them in a variety of colorful hues, including pink, yellow, red and orange.
Morning Glories
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Part of the Convolvulaceae family, morning glories are climbing vines that like full sun and moist soil that’s well drained. Look no further than their bright, bold flowers to boost your garden’s visual appeal.
Portulaca
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With full sun and fertile soil that’s well-drained (only water it when the soil is dry), this plant will flourish in your garden. They make beautiful ground covers and they’re also suitable for containers. Pests don’t tend to bother portulacas, but keep in mind that they’re toxic to some pets, including cats and dogs.
Alliums
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Add a pop of color to your garden with this drought-tolerant flower. You’ll find them in pretty shades of purple and white, making them a perfect addition to fresh bouquets. Aim for well-drained soil and full sun with this pick.
Sneezeweed
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If you love daisies, look no further than sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) to add a unique touch to your garden. To keep them looking their best, give this low-maintenance pick full sun and moist soil (moderate watering is ideal). They’re known for luring butterflies and resisting disease. Keep in mind that they’re toxic to humans and animals.
Calamint
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Also known as Calamintha nepeta, calamint is perfect for those seeking an easy-to-care-for option. The fragrant plant enjoys light watering as well as full sun (if necessary, it can handle light shade as well).
Geraniums
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Hang them in baskets or arrange them in beds or pots, and take in their beauty. Rely on fertile soil that’s well-drained (don’t overwater them) and full sun. This hardy option is also great at keeping diseases and pests at bay.
Dahlias
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Grow the “dinnerplate” kind and the blooms can measure a whopping 12 inches in diameter. On the flipside, miniature “pom-pom” dahlias look just as cute as they sound.
Bacopas
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This bacopa monnieri plant, also known as brahmi, is incredibly versatile — just take a look at its impressive edible properties and medicinal purposes. You’ll find the jewel-like flowers in white, blue and lavender. And if you’re hunting for a good container garden option, bacopas are gorgeous picks.
Asters
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Here’s a fast-growing perennial that prefers full sun or light shade. These blooms are native to North America and come in white, purple, blue or pink shades. Keep your asters happy with loamy, well-drained soil.
Bougainvilleas
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Bougainvilleas are lively tropical vines that add personality to a garden. They love sunny areas and well-drained soil. Grow them in hanging baskets or train them to be bushy additions to your pots.
Angelonias
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These striking lavender and pink flowers, also called snapdragons, are beautiful choices for a sunny garden. Treat them well and watch them grow up to 18 inches tall. Even better, they don’t require deadheading to produce their blooms continuously.
Clematis
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Clematis are popular for filling vertical space in a garden. They thrive with at least six hours of full sun per day, but keep in mind that pruning varies by type.
Salvias
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These sun-loving plants come in a wide range of colors, from red to purple, and don’t require much fertilizer to grow beautifully.
Marigolds
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You may know them as vibrant yellow or orange beauties, but marigolds can also bloom with maroon or even cream flowers. “Best grown in full sun, marigolds are known for outlasting hot summer days and have been long used as garden companion plants,” Henriksen says.
RELATED: How to Grow French Marigolds Like a Champ
Common Zinnias
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“A traditional plant for pollinator gardens, zinnias are easy to grow and require full sun,” Henriksen says. She recommends them for borders and container gardens, and using the cut flowers for indoor decor. They can grow anywhere from 4 inches to 4 feet high and come in almost every color except for blue.
RELATED: How to Grow Bright, Beautiful Zinnias
Sunflowers
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Not all Helianthus are created equal. In summer, try SunBelievable Brown Eyed Girl. “This award-winning, multi-branching, heat tolerant and non-invasive annual produces over 1,000 flowers in a single season, throughout summer until first frost,” Karam says. Try it in both borders and containers.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”
