6 Stunning Flowers for Your Summer Landscape
Kris Vento
Spring Summer

Beautiful, bright florals can bring a landscape to life during the summer months. To get the most enjoyment from your blooms this season, we recommend completing the planting process as soon as possible. To get you started, here are six of our top selections for a pop of seasonal color!

Zinnias

One of the easiest annuals to grow, zinnia is a popular choice for beginner and experienced gardeners. When planted in warm soil, zinnia seeds will germinate quickly, with seedlings popping up within a week or two. These low-maintenance annuals come in various shapes, sizes, and shades, including bi-color and tri-color varieties. Zinnias typically bloom in late June or early July, creating a striking display of color that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. With adequate sunshine and moisture, the flowers can thrive through early autumn until the first frost.

Petunias

Highly regarded for their heat tolerance and hardiness, petunias are an excellent choice for containers, beds, and borders. These tender perennials are available in a myriad of colors and patterns, with over 35 different species and hybrids to choose from. While you can grow petunias from the seed, it’s easiest to buy them from a garden center and transplant them into your flowerbed. Petunias do best in full sun with regular waterings and monthly feedings.

Cosmos

A versatile summer annual, cosmos will paint your landscape with pops of vibrant color all season long. These daisy-like flowers are easily grown from the seed, reaching full maturity within about two months. They are drought-tolerant, resistant to insects and disease, and can even prosper in poor soil conditions. For best flowering, however, we recommend planting cosmos in well-draining soil that’s exposed to uninterrupted sunshine.

Marigolds

The marigold is another favorite, no-fuss flower among gardening enthusiasts. Sow marigold seeds in well-draining soil, give them full sun and water, and your garden will burst to life with beautiful orange-yellow blooms in no time! This annual is also an excellent companion plant for fruit and vegetable gardens. It deters harmful pests such as aphids, thrips, whiteflies, Mexican bean beetles, and rabbits while attracting beneficial pollinators.

Impatiens

Cheery, colorful impatiens can brighten up the shadiest sections of your summer landscape! Unlike the previously mentioned plants, these annual flowers prefer partial to deep shade over full sun. Impatiens enjoy moist soil and require 2-4 inches of water per week. They also do best if fertilized regularly. For optimal flowering, we suggest planting transplants close together and using a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks. If cared for properly, impatiens will bloom reliably through the summer months.

Begonia

Beautiful begonia flowers can also add visual interest to semi-shaded areas. Wax begonias, otherwise known as bedding begonias, are the most common variety of begonia. These annuals do best in beds and containers that get partial shade or filtered sunlight. Wax begonias produce both single and double flowers that create a dramatic display of color when planted in mass. These tropical plants are extremely cold-sensitive and will suffer damage if temperatures fall under 50 degrees.

If you need assistance cultivating your summer landscape, our team is here to help! Complete our online contact form or email sales@alcde.com for more information about our seasonal color services.