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Believe it or not, flowers don't just boost your mood and brighten up your home — they're capable of improving your health as well, according to Gwenn Fried, manager of Horticulture Therapy at NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation. "Nature has a huge impact on health and wellness," she says. "We know that people's cortisol levels go down in a calm, green environment."
Browse our roundup of summer flowers to transform your garden into a dreamy space, whether it's your backyard area, small balcony or front porch. You'll find everything from lovely zinnias to charming sunflowers. Go for tall varieties like delphiniums or consider eye-catching perennial flowers (think cosmos, asters and daisies). Need good ground covers for shady spots such as in between tree roots? Some of our top picks include salvias and portulacas. For containers, there are coneflowers, Lily of the Nile and much more. Our list includes simple care tips, from watering and sunlight needs to the best soil conditions.
Go ahead and find your favorites below, but also be sure to check out our gardening guide for even more ideas. And whether you're a pro or beginner, it's worth exploring the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to confirm that your selections suit your location. Now all that's left to do is grab your gardening tools to get started!
Delphiniums
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
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
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.
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Lantana
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
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
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.
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Alliums
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
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
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).
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Geraniums
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
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
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.
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Asters
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
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
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.
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Clematis
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
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
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
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Common Zinnias
"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
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.
RELATED: The Best Way to Grow Beautiful Sunflowers
Lauren Smith McDonough
Senior Editor
Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things.
Monique Valeris
Home Design Director
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."
