Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
8 – 10
Height
0.5 – 1.5 feet
Blooms in
Late Spring – Early Fall
Features
Deer resistant
Bellflower
With their happy, star-like flowers, the variety of Bellflowers available can fit any gardener’s needs. Ranging from short to tall, and featuring almost every color of the rainbow, these cheery flowers are a great fit for your garden or cut to display in your home.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
3 – 8
Height
0.25 – 4 feet
Blooms in
Early Summer – Early Fall
Features
Good for cut flowers
Bergenia
The Bergenia plant looks as sweet as its nicknames—also commonly known as Pigsqueak or Elephant’s ears. While short in stature, the Bergenia makes up for it in ornate flowers and leaves that change from green to red or bronze in the cooler months.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Damp
Zones
3 – 8
Height
1 – 2 feet
Blooms in
Spring
Features
Deer resistant
Blackeyed Susan
Known as the official flower for the Preakness, Blackeyed Susans are a member of the sunflower family. In addition to making a beautiful indoor flower arrangement, Blackeyed Susans attract butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects.
Sun Needs
Full Sun
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
3 – 9
Height
1 – 3 feet
Blooms in
Late Summer – Mid-Fall
Features
Good for cut flowers
Bleeding Heart
The Bleeding Heart’s appearance is as equally dramatic as its name, bearing heart shaped flowers that hang from a long stem. It also makes for an exquisite cut flower to display in your home.
Sun Needs
Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained, Damp
Zones
3 – 9
Height
1.5 – 4 feet
Blooms in
Late Spring – Early Summer
Features
Good for cut flowers
Bloodroot
This flower gets its name from the bright red poisonous sap if you cut into the stem, but on the outside the Bloodroot makes for a great addition to a shaded garden. In addition to a bright white flower, the leaves are scalloped to create an elegant package.
Sun Needs
Partial Shade?/?Full Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
3 – 9
Height
0.25 – 0.75 feet
Blooms in
Early Spring
Features
Non-invasive
Boneset
The Boneset is a wildflower that is easy to grow in most soil types, but watch out as it can pose a management problem and spread quickly. Well-suited for more natural looking gardens, the Boneset is also a friend among bees and butterflies.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
4 – 9
Height
3 – 5 feet
Blooms in
Late Summer – Mid-Fall
Features
Attracts bees, butterflies
Browallia
The Browallia will grow in the darkest corners of your garden, preferring full shade and protection from the hot sun. It also makes for a great indoor plant during the summer as long as it’s kept damp but not wet.
Sun Needs
Partial Shade?/?Full Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
2 – 11
Height
1 – 2 feet
Blooms in
Mid-Summer – Late Summer
Features
Attracts humingbirds
Bugleweed
Bugleweed is a popular choice to fill a garden with low, colorful greenery, but be sure to maintain it as it can easily spread and take over your garden. Most prefer shade, but if your Bugleweed variety has purple leaves, it’ll do well in heat.
Sun Needs
Partial Shade?/?Full Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
3 – 9
Height
0.25 – 0.5 feet
Blooms in
Late Spring – Early Summer
Features
Tolerates heat
Bugloss
Given it’s tall height, attractive blooms and unalluring foliage, the Bugloss is often grown as accent border plants. This biennial is short lived and doesn’t do well with excess moisture.
Sun Needs
All Sun Types
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
3 – 8
Height
3 – 5 feet
Blooms in
Summer
Features
Non-invasive
Buttercup
Who hasn’t held a buttercup up to their chin to see it reflect its golden yellow shade? This cheerful plant is a favorite, but requires regular maintenance to keep it from spreading.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
3 – 8
Height
1 – 2 feet
Blooms in
Late Spring – Early Summer
Features
Non-invasive
Butterfly Weed
The aptly named Butterfly Weed is a favorite among butterflies, but also bees and other beneficial insects. Propagation may take some time, but once the Butterfly Weed starts growing this hardy plant can endure full sun and a variety of soil types.
Sun Needs
Full Sun
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
4 – 9
Height
2 – 3 feet
Blooms in
Mid-Summer – Early Fall
Features
Good for cut flowers
Caladium
Caladiums are known for their heart or arrow shaped leaves and are a good addition to a garden needing some dramatic foliage. In addition to green, leaves are known to include hues of red, white, maroon, pink and cream.
Sun Needs
Partial Shade?/?Full Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained, Damp
Zones
10 – 11
Height
1 – 2 feet
Blooms in
Early Spring – Mid-Fall
Features
Non-invasive
Calendula
Add a pop of color to your garden with the garden-friendly Calendula. This flower tolerates the cooler months and is even edible—it’s spicy leaves are often found as a garnish in salads and soups.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
9 – 11
Height
1 – 2 feet
Blooms in
Late Spring – Mid-Fall
Features
Good for cut flowers
California Poppy
The California poppy is ideal for gardens in dry, sandy areas with full sun. Coming in a variety of colors including red, orange, yellow, white and pink, be sure to cut this wildflower to display inside.
Sun Needs
Full Sun
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
5 – 10
Height
0.5 – 1 feet
Blooms in
Early Summer – Mid-Fall
Features
Good for cut flowers
Canterbury Bells
Reminiscent of an old English cottage, Canterbury Bells represent gratitude and faith. Their charming violet bells make for a beautiful bouquet.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
5 – 8
Height
1.5 – 3 feet
Blooms in
Late Spring – Mid-Summer
Features
Good for cut flowers
Cardinal Flower
Recognized for its deep scarlet red blooms, the Cardinal flower grows as high as 4 feet and attract beneficial insects like butterflies. While once in bloom the results are dazzling, this perennial’s lifecycle is short lived.
Sun Needs
Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Damp
Zones
2 – 9
Height
3 – 4 feet
Blooms in
Mid-Summer – Early Fall
Features
Attracts butterflies
Carnation
The bright cluster of petals make the Carnation a playful choice for any garden or bouquet. Depending on the color you pick, a Carnation can be used as a symbol of friendship, love or fascination.
Sun Needs
Full Sun
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
3 – 8
Height
1.5 – 2 feet
Blooms in
Early Spring – Late Summer
Features
Good for cut flowers
Castor Bean
This massive plant—known to grow up to 10 feet tall—is a good addition if you’re looking to add height or a backdrop for smaller plants. Watch out, the seeds, leaves and stem are poisonous!