Think you have a brown thumb yet yearning to adorn your garden with colourful flowers? We have your back with these easy-to-grow varieties for a spectacular summer garden!
Growing flowers is especially fruitful during the summer because the hot season is when gardens hit their stride. Long summer days full of direct sunlight — coupled with drizzles of water — result in rapid growth and an explosion of colour.
So, let’s get started and name the top easy-to-grow flowers for a beautiful summer garden!
Canna
Credit: Farmer Gracy
Cannas are stunning summer bulbs featuring paddle-shaped leaves. They come in red, orange, and yellow (sometimes even pink). They thrive in the heat of peak summer and contribute to a colourful, lively garden. Being a tropical plant, Cannas can grow in both containers and open landscapes.
Care requirements
Sunlight: 4 hours of direct sun
Fertiliser: Twice during the growing season
Water: Water every other day during peak summer
Salvia
Credit: Crocus
Salvias are aromatic beauties that attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, to your garden. They come in spikes of purple, white, or pink flowers and are tolerant of extreme heat and drought. Salvias belong to the mint family (which also contains thyme and basil).
Care requirements
Sunlight: 6 hours of direct sun, and can tolerate partial shade
Fertiliser: Not necessary
Water: 1 inch of water weekly
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a famous favourite — and the good part is, they’re easy to grow! Sunflowers are believed to be “happy” plants, so you can expect them to bring joy to your garden. Plus, they produce edible seeds and attract pest-patrolling birds to your garden.
Care requirements
Sunlight: 6 hours of sun daily
Fertiliser: Nitrogen-heavy fertiliser twice during the growing season
Water: 1 inch (or 2.5 cm) of water weekly
Poppy
Poppies are papery, tissue-like blossoms that come in warm, bright colours, including red, salmon, and pink. These flowers have medicinal and culinary value, and their seeds are used as flavourings for bread. If you aim for a summer garden full of poppies, begin planting them in spring.
Care requirements
Sunlight: At least 6 hours of direct sun
Fertiliser: A 10-10-10 fertiliser every two weeks
Water: Once every few days (when the soil feels dry)
Dahlia
Dahlias are gorgeous flowers that adorn gardens from midsummer to autumn. They grow well in containers and landscapes and love moist, moderate climates. Grow them around vegetable gardens to beautify your veggies!
Care requirements
Sunlight: 6 to 8 hours of direct sun
Fertiliser: 5-10-10 fertiliser every three to four weeks
Water: Once or twice a week, depending on how quickly the soil dries up
Marigold
A hardy old-fashioned favourite, Marigold flowers thrive in hot, sunny days. They attract beneficial insects, keeping harmful pests away from your garden. Marigolds are companion plants to several vegetables, including potatoes and broccoli. They’re also edible — you can consume them raw or blanched!
Care requirements
Sunlight: Over 6 hours of full sun everyday
Fertiliser: Fertilise every four to six weeks
Water: 1.5 inches (or 4 cm) of water weekly
Cuphea
Credit: Great Dixter
Also called the firecracker plant, Cuphea is a hardy annual. Wherever you see a Cuphea, you’ll find a hummingbird — you can call them hummingbird magnets! If you’re growing the plant in a pot, use a large space as it spreads whilst growing.
Care requirements
Sunlight: 7 hours of direct sunlight
Fertiliser: Twice a month with a water-soluble fertiliser
Water: Abundantly every three to four days
Lavender
Lavender is a romantic plant with a calming scent. It is a low-maintenance plant that is tolerant to drought and heat. Before the purple flowers appear, their silver foliage brings charm and beauty to the garden. Lavender flowers lure pollinators — and they have excellent germ-fighting properties, too!
Care requirements
Sunlight: At least 6 hours of direct sunlight
Fertiliser: Low-nitrogen fertiliser twice a year (for established plants)
Water: Every two weeks
Conclusion
Your summer garden is just a few flower species away from fulfilling its ultimate beautiful calling — and the eight varieties given in this blog post are fantastic (and very easy-to-grow) varieties for rookie gardeners. If you’re someone with little gardening knowledge, choose your favourites from this blog post for a colourful, low-maintenance garden!
Need some help with your garden design? Just book one of our Landscape Designers here! They can look at your space over video chat and give you tips, ideas and guidance on how to achieve your dream garden.