Having a vibrant and colorful garden can bring life and excitement to any outdoor space. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, there are numerous plants that can add a splash of color to create a visually appealing landscape. Here is a list of 50 colorful plants, categorized by their unique characteristics, to help you choose the perfect plants for your garden.
- Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Geraniums offer a wide range of vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms, making them a popular choice for gardeners.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the species and variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every two to four weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall, with some varieties blooming all year round.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Dahlia (Dahlia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Dahlias produce stunning, large blossoms in a wide array of colors and shapes.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, keeping the soil moist.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every three to four weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Marigolds are known for their bright, cheerful flowers that come in shades of orange, yellow, and red.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Petunia (Petunia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Petunias are versatile annual plants that come in a wide range of colors and bloom profusely.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, keeping the soil evenly moist.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every two to three weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Salvia (Salvia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Salvias are herbaceous perennials with vibrant blooms that attract pollinators, making them a great addition to any garden.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the species and variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Begonia (Begonia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Begonias offer a wide range of colorful flowers and foliage, making them suitable for adding pops of color to shaded areas.
- Light: Partial shade to full shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, keeping the soil evenly moist.
- Size: Varies depending on the species and variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Gazania (Gazania spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Gazanias are drought-tolerant plants that produce vibrant daisy-like flowers, perfect for adding color to hot and dry gardens.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between deep waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize once a month during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Calibrachoa (Calibrachoa spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Calibrachoas, also known as Million Bells, produce an abundance of small petunia-like flowers in a wide range of colors.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, keeping the soil evenly moist.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every two to three weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Zinnias are easy-to-grow annual flowers that come in a plethora of bright colors, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Nasturtium (Tropaeolum spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Nasturtiums offer vibrant, edible flowers and shield-shaped leaves, perfect for creating colorful groundcovers or cascading from containers.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Snapdragons (Antirrhinum spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Snapdragons add vertical interest with their colorful spikes of blossoms and attract pollinators to the garden.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Pansy (Viola spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Pansies are cool-season flowers that offer a wide range of colors and patterns, adding charm to early spring and fall gardens.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, keeping the soil evenly moist.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every three to four weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Cosmos (Cosmos spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Cosmos are low-maintenance annual plants that produce an abundance of daisy-like flowers, attracting bees and butterflies.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, offers bright yellow and golden flowers with a daisy-like appearance, perfect for sunny borders.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Verbena (Verbena spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Verbena produces clusters of small, colorful flowers that bloom throughout the summer, attracting butterflies.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)
- Why It’s Great: Balloon flowers feature unique, balloon-shaped buds that open into beautiful blue, pink, or white flowers.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Blanket flowers feature vibrant red, orange, and yellow blooms, attracting pollinators and adding a warm touch to the garden.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Bee balm offers showy flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and white, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Columbines offer unique, bell-shaped flowers and come in a wide range of colors, adding a touch of whimsy to the garden.
- Light: Partial shade to full shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to early summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Delphinium (Delphinium spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Delphiniums produce towering spikes of vibrant, blue, pink, or white flowers, making a stunning focal point in the garden.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, keeping the soil evenly moist.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Fuchsias feature pendulous flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple, attracting hummingbirds to the garden.
- Light: Partial shade to full shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, keeping the soil evenly moist.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every two weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Gladiolus produces tall spikes of vibrant flowers in a wide range of colors, making a bold statement in the garden.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every three to four weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Hollyhock (Alcea spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Hollyhocks are tall, stately plants that produce large, showy flowers in a variety of colors, adding vertical interest to the garden.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Impatiens (Impatiens spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Impatiens are shade-loving annuals that produce clusters of colorful flowers and thrive in areas with limited sunlight.
- Light: Partial shade to full shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, keeping the soil evenly moist.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every two to three weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Lantana (Lantana camara)
- Why It’s Great: Lantanas feature clusters of small, vibrant flowers that attract pollinators and can withstand hot and dry conditions.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Lobelia (Lobelia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Lobelias offer delicate flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white, adding a soft touch to containers or hanging baskets.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, keeping the soil evenly moist.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Moist, well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Lupine (Lupinus spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Lupines produce tall spikes of colorful flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, yellow, and white, creating a dramatic display.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Late spring to early summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Morning glories are fast-growing vines that produce vibrant flowers in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white, perfect for trellises.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every two to three weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Osteospermum (Osteospermum spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Osteospermums, also known as African daisies, produce vivid, daisy-like flowers in various color combinations, adding a cheerful touch to the garden.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Penstemons offer tubular flowers in vibrant colors, attracting hummingbirds and adding vertical interest to the garden.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)
- Why It’s Great: Portulacas, also known as moss roses, produce vibrant, crepe-paper-like flowers and are drought-tolerant, making them ideal for hot and sunny areas.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Ranunculus (Ranunculus spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Ranunculus produces delicate, multi-layered petals in vibrant colors, resembling miniature roses, perfect for adding elegance to flower beds or containers.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every two to three weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to early summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Rudbeckias, also known as black-eyed Susans, offer golden-yellow or orange flowers with a dark center, attracting butterflies and bees.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Salpiglossis (Salpiglossis sinuata)
- Why It’s Great: Salpiglossis produces trumpet-shaped flowers in a range of colors, often with unique patterns, adding a touch of elegance to the garden.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Late spring to early summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Scabiosa (Scabiosa spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Scabiosa, also known as pincushion flower, produces unique, pincushion-like blooms in shades of blue, pink, and white, attracting butterflies.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Sedum (Sedum spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Sedums are succulent plants that offer colorful foliage and flowers, adding texture and interest to rock gardens or container arrangements.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize once a month during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Sunflower (Helianthus spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Sunflowers are iconic plants known for their large, golden-yellow blooms, adding a cheerful touch to any garden or floral arrangement.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Tithonia (Tithonia rotundifolia)
- Why It’s Great: Tithonias, also known as Mexican sunflowers, offer fiery orange or red-orange flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Tritoma (Tritoma spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Tritomas, commonly known as red-hot pokers, produce tall spikes of tubular flowers in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Viola (Viola spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Violas produce delicate, cheerful flowers in a wide range of colors, perfect for borders, containers, or hanging baskets.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, keeping the soil evenly moist.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every three to four weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Spring to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Yarrow (Achillea spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Yarrow produces clusters of small, colorful flowers and feathery foliage, attracting butterflies and beneficial insects.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Astilbes offer fluffy, feathery flowers in shades of pink, white, and red, adding a soft and elegant touch to shaded gardens.
- Light: Partial shade to full shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, keeping the soil evenly moist.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Moist, well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Late spring to early summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Celosia (Celosia argentea)
- Why It’s Great: Celosias, also known as cockscombs, produce unique, feathery flower heads in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Dianthus (Dianthus spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Dianthus, also known as pinks, produce fringed flowers with delightful scents, adding a charming touch to the garden.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Foxglove (Digitalis spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Foxgloves are tall flowers that produce striking, tubular blooms in various shades of pink, purple, and white, attracting pollinators.
- Light: Partial shade to full shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Moist, well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Late spring to early summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Gaillardia (Gaillardia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Gaillardias, also known as blanket flowers, offer radiant, daisy-like flowers in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red, attracting butterflies.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Helenium (Helenium spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Heleniums produce daisy-like flowers in warm shades of red, orange, and yellow, attracting bees and butterflies.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer to fall.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.
- Iris (Iris spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Irises offer stunning, showy blooms in a wide range of colors, adding elegance to garden beds and borders.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize once a year in early spring.
- Flowering: Spring to early summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Lavenders are known for their aromatic flowers and foliage, as well as their soothing colors in shades of purple, blue, and white.
- Light: Full sun.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize once a month during the growing season.
- Flowering: Summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Easy.
- Peony (Paeonia spp.)
- Why It’s Great: Peonies are beloved for their large, show-stopping blooms in a variety of colors, adding beauty and elegance to any garden.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
- Size: Varies depending on the variety.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize in early spring and after flowering.
- Flowering: Late spring to early summer.
- Ease of growing rating: Moderate.