Your Flower Garden – 10 Easy Flowers to Grow
The Home Flower Garden
Flower arrangements are like a hug for your soul.
The beautiful colors, smells, and textures of flowers can bring a smile to anyone’s face. They’re a universal symbol of beauty and life. When I look at the colors and shapes of flowers, I see the beauty in nature. Here’s why.
Flowers are said to have the power to heal your mind, soul, and body. They’re a sign of respect, love, and appreciation. Your favorite flower might not be the same as someone else’s, but flowers have the power to make you feel loved.
They can make a day brighter and make the world happier. That’s why every gardener needs a flower garden.
The 10 Easiest Flowers to Grow in Your Garden
Below are some of the most popular flowers to grow in your garden. These flowers are not only gorgeous. They’re easy to grow. And they’re sure to bring joy to your garden and home.
1. Cone Flowers (Echinacea)
Echinacea (North American cone flower) are native to the Eastern United States and are part of the daisy family.
These flowers are tough and come in a variety of colors and sizes thanks to plant breeders that have taken a special interest in these plants.
Besides being tough plants, cone flowers are loved by song birds, butterflies, and pollinators.
USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 4-9
Size: 14″ tall / 24″ wide / 18″ to 36″
Exposure: Full Sun
Bloom Time(s): June, July, August, September, October
2. Zinnias
Zinnias are a warm season annual that are easy to grow from seed. They grow under some of the worst growing conditions so they are perfect to try if you are a beginner.
This happy flower comes in every conceivable color. They are easy to grow and provide blooms all summer long. Deadhead your zinnias to keep the blooms going.
USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 3-9
Size: 18″ to 36″ tall depending on variety
Exposure: Annual Full Sun
Bloom Time(s): June, July, August, September, October
3. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are another plant that is easy to grow from seed and provides a source for food for birds and pollinators.
There is a huge variety of colors and sizes available to grow in your home garden. Just read the back of the seed pack to help you pick the best variety for your garden.
USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 3-9
Size: 18″ to 36″ tall depending on variety
Exposure: Annual Full Sun
Bloom Time(s): July, August, September
4. Petunias
Petunias are a garden staple. They have fragrant, sticky foliage and cone-shaped flowers. They come in a huge array of colors.
These garden work horses thrive in the garden or containers and will bloom all season long. They are perennial in warm zones, but most gardeners treat them as annuals. They get a little ragged so be sure to deadhead spent blooms.
USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 10-11
Size: 6″-24″ tall and 6″-36″ wide depending on variety
Exposure: Annual, perennial Full Sun
Bloom Time(s): Spring, Summer and Fall
5. Dahlias
There are many different varieties of dahlias to choose from. They come in tons of colors and sizes. They need full sun and good air circulation to thrive.
You can’t log into Instagram during summer without getting bombarded with dahlia photos. A few popular varieties include: ‘Thomas Edison’, ‘David Howard’, and ‘Little Missy’.
USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 8-10 (cold climates need to lift tubers in Fall)
Size: 1-6 ft tall and 1-3 ft wide depending on variety
Exposure: Full Sun
Bloom Time(s): Summer and Fall
6. Cosmos
Cosmos are popular annual flowers that come in a wide range of colors. They are easy to grow from seed.
There is a huge variety of colors and sizes available to grow in your home garden. Just read the back of the seed pack to help you pick the best variety for your garden.
USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 2-11
Size: 1-6 ft tall and 1-3 ft wide depending on variety
Exposure: Annual Full Sun
Bloom Time(s): All summer
7. Marigolds
Marigolds are another popular annual flower. They come in bright, hot colors that add a real punch to the garden.
They like even moist, well-drained soil and are easy to grow from seed.
USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 2-11
Size: 4-48 inches tall and 6-24 inches wide depending on variety
Exposure: Annual Full Sun
Bloom Time(s): All summer
8. Impatiens
This flower is arguably the most popular shade-loving annual in the gardening world today.
You can count on impatiens to bring a splash of color to any shady location. They are technically perennials in tropical locations, but they are grown mostly as annuals.
They come in a big range of colors. You are sure to find a color that you’ll love for your garden.
USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 10-11
Size: 6-36 inch tall and 1-3 ft wide depending on variety
Exposure: Partial shade, full shade
Bloom Time(s): Spring, Summer
9. Geraniums
This flower is actual a tender perennial called Pelargonium. They come in a wide range of colors and grow well in the garden or in containers.
Geraniums are easy to propagate from stem cuttings and they can also be grown from seed.
A lot of gardeners over winter these plants indoors to add a little flower color to a long winter.
USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 10-11
Size: 6-12 inch tall and 1-2 ft wide depending on variety
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time(s): Spring, Summer, Fall and reblooming
10. Asters
This flower is actual a hardy perennial that blooms in the garden when all your other flowers are fading.
Asters come in a range of cool colors including pinks, mauve, and purple.
Gertrude Jekyll, a famous English gardener, created a garden devoted to these wonderful plants.
USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 3-8
Size: 1-6 ft tall and 1-4 ft wide depending on variety
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time(s): Late summer, Fall
How to Start a Flower Garden
A garden should grow out of its own site, if we are to have the best of it.
William Robinson
William Robinson (1885 – 1908) spent his lifetime creating beautiful gardens.
He left us with great advice when it comes to creating our own flower gardens. Think about where your flower garden will grow and select the flowers for that location.
In other words, pick the right plant for the right place!
These are the things Robinson considered when he created his own flower garden at Gravetye Manor:
This lists gives you a guide you can use today to create your own flower garden.
The first thing you will need to do is decide what type of flowers you would like to grow. Obvious I know, but it’s not always easy to narrow your wish list down.
Once you have decided on the type of flowers you want to grow, you need to select a location for your garden.
The best place to grow flowers is in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. If you live in a climate that is not conducive to growing flowers, you can grow them in containers or a raised bed.
If you want to have flowers blooming all season long, you may opt for annuals. Understanding when you want to enjoy your flowers will help you make the right choice.
If you are looking for ideas for starting your own flower garden, check out this article from The Spruce.
Flower Gardening Tips
Flower gardening can add a lot of beauty to your landscape. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when you’re planting flowers.
