11 Colorful Wildflowers to Grow in Your Garden, According to an Expert
Wildflowers are plants that happily grow on their own in the wild without human help. Many are native plants, but some are just good self-seeders. They often create a jumble of enticing colors and textures that you can bring to your own yard by planting a wildflower garden of easy-to-grow plants To get started, take a look at these colorful choices and get tips from a gardening expert on choosing the best varieties for your space.
Coreopsis
Bob Stefko
Also called tickseed (because of the shape of its seeds), this genus includes perennials, tender perennials, and annuals that show off a range of hues, including yellow, orange, pink, and red. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) flowers bloom in the summer and the plant will spread each year. Bonus: Deer and rabbits usually stay away from these daisy-like flowers, but birds, butterflies, and bees love them.
Zones: 3-9
Size: 1-4 feet tall; 1-3 feet wide
Care Requirements: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun but will tolerate partial shade.
Recommended Varieties: Lance-leaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) is an easy-to-grow variety that’s native to most of the United States. Some species, such as threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata), are tolerant of drought.
Milkweed
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) is an important plant to include in your wildflower garden because it serves as the only host plant for monarch butterflies. But this genus, which includes over 70 species native to the U.S., also attracts other butterflies, native bees, and hummingbirds.
Zones: 3-9
Size: 1-6 feet tall
Care Requirements: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun.
Recommended varieties: Rebecca Sears from Ferry-Morse, a seed company that sells a variety of wildflower seed mixes, suggests butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) for dry, sandy soils. For wetter climates, opt for swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).
Be wary of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), which is aggressive and can take over small yards, and tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), which hosts parasites that can harm monarch butterflies.
Black-Eyed Susan
The most common variety of black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a biennial that self-seeds so you’ll likely see blooms every year. This genus also includes perennials and annuals. Rudbeckia’s summer blooms of yellow daisy-like flowers with dark centers continue blooming into fall and provide a nice complement to purple coneflowers. Bonus: It’s drought-tolerant and attracts butterflies.
Zones: 3-11
Size: 1-5 feet tall; 1-3 feet wide
Care Requirements: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun.
Recommended Varieties: Rudbeckia hirta is native to most of the United States and can grow in a variety of climates; in warmer areas it may act like an annual.
Cosmos
Carson Downing
Cosmos (Cosmos spp.) are easy-to-grow flowers that show off daisy-like blooms in hues of pink, orange, red, yellow, and white and will be annuals in much of the country. “I love to plant cosmos in my garden, as they provide nectar and pollen to many species of pollinators,” Sears says. Plus, their cheerful blooms and tall stems ensure these flowers will be a striking addition to any landscape.
Zones: 9-11
Size: 1-6 feet tall; 1-2 feet wide
Care Requirements: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Recommended Varieties: Sears recommends Candy Stripe Cosmos; their bi-colored flowers feature distinctive rose-colored edges that make great additions to cut-flower bouquets.
Purple Coneflower
Easy to grow with long-lasting blooms in summer through fall, purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) can grow even in rocky, clay, and sandy soils. They attract beneficial insects and butterflies, plus the seed heads provide food for birds in late fall and winter.
Zones: 3-9
Size: 2-4 feet tall
Care Requirements: Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
Recommended Varieties: Purple coneflower is native to the Midwest and Eastern United States and most varieties can be grown throughout the U.S.
Blanket Flower
Kritsada Panichgul
Blanket flower (Gaillardia spp.) is a low-maintenance plant that blooms in spring, summer, and fall in shades of orange, red, yellow, and white. (A few cool shades are also available.) Native to the plains and western United States, blanket flowers include perennials, annuals, and biennials. Deer and rabbits are likely to leave it alone, but butterflies will flock to it. You’ll likely see songbirds feeding on the small seed heads in fall.
Zones: 3-10
Size: 2-3 feet tall; 1-2 feet wide
Care Requirements: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Most do best in hot, dry climates.
Recommended Varieties: Gallardia x grandiflora, a tropical hybrid, is the most common type of blanket flower found in home gardens.
Sunflower
Bob Stefko
These cheery (mostly golden and yellow) flowers include both annuals and perennials; some types of sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) thrive in dry, woodland areas, while others do best in swampy areas. Sunflowers, which bloom from summer into fall, are also great for attracting pollinators, including butterflies, hummingbirds, birds, and beneficial insects. Although there are shorter and dwarf varieties, many sunflowers grow quite tall and will add dramatic height to any wildflower garden.
Zones: 2-11
Size: 1 to 10 feet tall; 1 to 3 feet wide
Care Requirements: Site in full sun to part shade, depending on species, and well-drained soil, except species that prefer lots of moisture.
Recommended Varieties: Try swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) in wet areas or near ponds and streams. On the opposite end of the moisture spectrum, dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis) is native to southeastern coastal regions of the U.S. and grows well in dry, sandy soil.
Yarrow
Edward Gohlich
Yarrow (Achillea spp.) is a low-maintenance and versatile perennial that is available in a range of colors, such as orange, pink, red, white, and yellow. It grows well in many areas and tolerates a range of conditions, including cold winters, hot and humid summers, poor soil, and drought. The flowers will attract butterflies and beneficial insects.
Zones: 3-9
Size: 6-24 inches tall; 2-3 feet wide
Care Requirements: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Recommended Varieties: There are numerous species so check hardiness zones to make sure you choose one that will grow in your climate. Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
Yarrow is considered to be toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, but animals will likely stay away thanks to its bitter taste.
California Poppy
Denny Schrock
Although they are native to the Western United States, California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are spring- and summer-blooming flowers that can grow in much of the United States. In areas with mild winters, they will often reseed themselves and come back for several years (possibly spreading more than you would like); in colder climates, they will act more like an annual. They are easy to grow and drought-tolerant.
Zones: 8-10
Size: 8-18 inches tall
Care Requirements: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Recommended Varieties: Some cultivars expand on the standard yellow/orange color palette; ‘Mission Bells’ for example features blooms in pink, salmon, and cream.
Calendula
Andy Lyons
Also called pot marigold, calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a hardy annual in most areas and is easy to grow. It shows off daisy-like flowers with single or double rows of petals in shades of yellow and orange. In warm climates, it can reseed. Calendula attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects, but deer usually leave them alone.
Zones: 9-11
Size: 1-3 feet tall; 1-2 feet wide
Care Requirements: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Recommended Varieties: Most cultivars can grow in most regions but vary in size and color. ‘Oopsy Daisy’ is a compact variety that only grows to 8 inches tall; ‘Bronze Beauty’ shows off peach and cream petals.
Lobelia
With over 300 species of annuals, perennials, and shrubs, lobelias (Lobelia spp.) are a diverse group of plants that can grow in a variety of conditions. Featuring several colors, including shades of red, blue, and purple, lobelia will contrast nicely with other flowers in your wildflower garden—and unlike many other wildflowers, it can do well in partial shade as well as full sun.
Zones: 2-11
Size: 4 to 18 inches tall; 4 to 6 inches wide
Care Requirements: Plant in full sun to partial shade, depending on species, and well-drained soil.
Recommended varieties: Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a native wildflower that can thrive in moist soils and shows off scarlet-red flowers that hummingbirds love.
Sears advises choosing wildflowers that make you happy and that will grow well in your region. “Some of my favorite wildflowers are cosmos and purple coneflower, due to their easy care, unique color, and shapes,” she says.
It’s also important to choose wildflowers that will thrive in your area. “To make sure what you’re growing is suited to your climate, check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to see which gardening zone you’re in and look for plants that are recommended for that range,” Sears says.
