16 Beautiful Wildflowers to Plant in Your Garden
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Looking to bring a bit of wild beauty to your backyard this summer? Planting a wildflower garden is one of the best and easiest ways to fill your outdoor space with color and life. Not only will it look stunning, but it'll also provide food and habitats for local wildlife, including birds, beneficial insects, and pollinators like bees and butterflies. Best of all, wildflower gardens are incredibly easy to maintain and require minimal watering and no fertilizer. That said, there are some key things to know before you start sprinkling those wildflower seeds. We've got all the details right here, including common types of wildflowers and helpful gardening tips from experts.
The first thing you'll want to do is choose wildflowers that are native to your region. "They'll be more likely to thrive and attract pollinators that are already adapted to your area," says Sally McCabe, the associate director of community education for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. "Do your homework before planting a wildflower mix from seed. Read the ingredients and make sure that the flowers included are not invasive in your area or unsuitable for your climate."
As for when to plant wildflowers, early spring is an ideal time since the temperatures are warmer and the soil moisture is increased. If you're planting spring flowers, Nancy Awot-Traut, a horticulture expert at Burpee Gardening, recommends incorporating a mix of annual and perennial wildflowers. "This will ensure continuous blooms throughout the season," she says. "Annuals provide quick color while perennials offer long-time color."
No matter which wildflowers you decide to plant, you can be sure they'll bring a splash of vibrant color and a touch of natural charm to your yard.
Black-Eyed Susans
These vibrant yellow flowers attract butterflies and bees, adding lively color to your garden throughout the summer. They're also deer resistant, making them a low-maintenance choice.
California Poppy
With its delicate orange blooms, this drought-tolerant flower adds a splash of color to dry, sunny areas of your garden. California poppies self-sow readily, creating a charming, naturalized look.
Purple Coneflower
Known for its medicinal properties, this hardy perennial also attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees. Echinacea's sturdy stems make it a great choice for cut flower arrangements, too!
Blue Flax
These delicate blue flowers bring a touch of elegance to your garden and are drought-resistant once established. Blue flax flowers close at night and in cloudy weather, adding dynamic movement to your garden.
Lupin
With its tall spikes of colorful blooms, lupine adds vertical interest and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Lupine's deep roots help improve soil structure and prevent erosion.
Butterfly Weed
As the name suggests, this flower attracts butterflies with its bright orange blooms and serves as a host plant for monarch caterpillars. Butterfly weed is a larval host plant for the monarch butterfly, supporting their lifecycle.
Bee Balm
Loved by bees and hummingbirds, bee balm also adds fragrance to your garden and is perfect for attracting beneficial pollinators. You can even use balm leaves to make herbal teas and potpourri.
Coreopsis
These sunny, daisy-like flowers come in a variety of colors and bloom profusely, making them a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. Coreopsis is deer resistant and attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Foxglove
Tall spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white make foxglove a dramatic addition to cottage gardens, though caution is advised as it's toxic if ingested. Foxglove self-seeds readily, creating charming colonies in the garden.
Yarrow
With its feathery foliage and flat-topped clusters of flowers, yarrow attracts butterflies and is drought-tolerant once established. Yarrow is also deer resistant and makes an excellent ground cover.
Columbine
Known for its unique spurred flowers in various colors, columbine adds a touch of whimsy to shade gardens and attracts hummingbirds. Columbine seeds are a favorite food source for birds like finches and juncos.
Blanketflower
These drought-tolerant flowers feature vibrant red and yellow blooms, attracting pollinators and adding a pop of color to dry, sunny spots. Blanketflower is a native plant that's well adapted to hot, sunny conditions.
Paintbrush
Named for its brush-like blooms in shades of red, orange, and yellow, paintbrush is beloved by hummingbirds and adds a splash of color to wildflower gardens. Paintbrush is a semi-parasitic plant that attaches to the roots of neighboring plants for nutrients.
Scarlet Flax
With its bright scarlet flowers, scarlet flax adds a bold burst of color to sunny garden beds and is drought-tolerant once established. Scarlet flax flowers close in the afternoon heat, conserving moisture.
Tiger Lily
With its striking orange blooms speckled with dark spots, tiger lily adds exotic beauty to garden borders and attracts pollinators. Tiger lilies are easy to grow and naturalize readily.
Shasta Daisy
These classic white daisies with yellow centers are beloved for their cheerful appearance and are excellent for cutting gardens. Shasta daisies are long-lived perennials that bloom from late spring to early summer.
You Might Also Like
