1Marigold
wulingyun//Getty Images SHOP NOW
Brassy and warm marigolds are easy to grow and popular since they're in bloom for most of the season. They like full sun and can withstand hot summers, so they're a good option if you live in an area where scorching summers can extend into the fall (looking at you, Texas).
2Violas
Ali Majdfar//Getty Images SHOP NOW
These perennials bloom in the summer and return in the fall to add purple pops to your warm-toned garden. They're fast-growing and the flowers are edible, too. Violas like moist and acidic soil, so a peat-based potting mix or adding peat moss into their soil is best for them.
3Petunias
Clive Nichols//Getty Images SHOP NOW
Petunias are one of the most popular flowers for gardens because of their long flowering period: from spring until frost! They're great for hanging baskets — just know that they need full sun so they won't do well in the shade of a porch. Petunia seeds are very small, almost resembling dust, so it might be easier to get a start from a nursery.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4Hydrangeas
Pakin Songmor//Getty Images SHOP NOW
These elegant perennials start blooming early to midsummer and can survive a winter freeze. Their papery flowers come in a number of varieties, including pink, purple, blue and white (the acidity of your soil often dictates the color of your blooms). They're easy to cultivate and do best in partial shade.
5Roses
Westend61//Getty Images SHOP NOW
A classic beauty, shrub roses (also called landscape roses) aren't as much work as you might think. Newer hybrid roses are sturdier, have longer blooms and are more hearty and disease-resistant than the heirloom roses you might be familiar with.
6African Daisies
Isabel Pavia//Getty Images SHOP NOW
When first introduced to the market, consumers thought the vibrant petals and metallic centers of African daisies were dyed. They bloom quickly after planting and thrive best in full sun. They're also a great choice if you'd like to attract bees.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7Blanket Flowers
MsNancy//Getty Images SHOP NOW
Commonly named for how they spread out and "blanket" an area, blanket flowers are richly colored daisy-like flowers in warm shades of yellow and red. They thrive in full sun and poor soil, so you don't need to fertilize them as long as the soil drains well.
8Flossflower
Евгения Матвеец//Getty Images SHOP NOW
These tiny blooms resemble frilly pompoms and come in blue, purple, red, white and pink. New flowers grow over the old blooms so they always look freshly bloomed too. They bloom best in full sun.
9Strawflower
Jacky Parker Photography//Getty Images SHOP NOW
The bright yellow, button-shaped blooms are nearly as beautiful as the silvery-green foliage. This pick is perfect for hanging baskets, where both the blooms and the stems can be displayed. Though they can tolerate partial shade, they won't bloom as much as full sun exposure.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10Black-Eyed Susans
Steve Cicero//Getty Images SHOP NOW
Bright yellow, daisy-like black-eyed Susans can act as annuals, biennials or short-lived perennials. They're drought resistant, but respond well to an occasional watering. They're known to attract pollinators, so expect butterflies and bees!
11Chrysanthemums
Getty Images SHOP NOW
The quintessential fall flower, you can pick up mums for (practically) a dime a dozen at the grocery store. Set the pots in bright, indirect light and water consistently throughout autumn. To keep 'em blooming (and looking neat), cut off buds as they wilt.
12Balloon Flower
Photos from Japan, Asia and othe of the world//Getty Images SHOP NOW
As its name suggests, these gorgeous flowers — which can be found in shades of blue, white and pink — resemble hot-air balloons before they blossom. While they do well with full sun, they can also thrive in partial shade.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13Goldenrod
Anatoliy Berislavskiy//Getty Images SHOP NOW
Goldenrod is a striking weed-like plant that favors full sun and soil that's well drained. But beware if you suffer from allergies, as their pollen can cause a runny nose and itchy eyes.
14Dusty Miller
DigiPub//Getty Images SHOP NOW
This fluffy silver plant, which is also known as Jacobaea Maritima, would make for an unexpected addition to your garden. Give it full sun and keep it well-drained to stay healthy.
15Hardy Fuchsia
Federica Grassi//Getty Images SHOP NOW
If your garden needs a burst of color, look no further than hardy fuchsia, which is also referred to as fuchsia magellanica. Keep in mind that the right soil — not too dry, moist or hot — is key for this type of flower.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16Sumac
Roberto Machado Noa//Getty Images SHOP NOW
With well-drained soil, these hardy red flowers can grow up to 30 feet tall. They're available in a slew of varieties, so you're sure to find the perfect type to add visual interest to your garden.
17Amaranthus
Westend61//Getty Images SHOP NOW
Amaranthus produces gorgeous tassel-like flowers each fall that look great in arrangements — both fresh-cut and dried. Grow this annual in full sun or part shade, advises the Missouri Botanical Garden.
18Dahlias
Akihide Imaizumi / 500px//Getty Images SHOP NOW
Certain varieties will keep on bloomin' from mid-summer into fall. Pick orange- and red-tinted varieties for autumn bouquets, but dahlias come in just about every color under the sun.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19Cornflower
David Burton//Getty Images SHOP NOW
You'll love these bright-blue beauties as much as the birds and butterflies do. Plus, they can adapt in full sun or full shade. For continued flowering, deadhead spent blooms.
20Pansies
Barbara Fischer, Australia.//Getty Images SHOP NOW
Pansies can't tolerate heat, but they can withstand the winter. Plant 'em at the end of summer and they'll bloom until a hard frost. Then expect to see their vibrant hues pop up again in the spring.
Abigail (she/her) is product reviews writer who has covered everything from kitchen gear to mattresses and smart blinds. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.A. in creative writing and earned her M.S. in publishing digital and print media from New York University. She currently works at Wirecutter, but has also spent time on staff at Good Housekeeping and The Southern Review literary magazine. In her free time you can find her quilting, cross-stitching or trying to figure out how to squeeze one more bookshelf in her tiny apartment.
Katarina Avendaño (she/her) is the senior SEO editor for Good Housekeeping, where she writes and edits lifestyle content and contributes to SEO strategy. Before joining GH in 2021, she was the digital editor at New York Family, where she was responsible for the website’s content and strategy. Katarina received her bachelor's degree in communications and Spanish from the University of Washington.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below