Flowers to Plant in the Summer for Fall Blooms

Summer is still a great time to plant and grow a variety of plants. Flowers are a great option as there is usually plenty of time to sow seeds, and plant, for fall blooming. Check out this great list of annual and perennial flowers that you can plant in the heat of summer.

Flowers You Can Plant In The Summer

Flowers provide enjoyment with their bright blooms, but they can also be helpful in the garden by attracting pollinators and some are even edible. If you are late to planting, check out this great list of beautiful flowers that can still be planted in the summer.

Annual Flowers to Sow in Summer

Annuals are fast growing plants that easily re-seed themselves. These sun-loving annuals are fast growing and should have blooms by late summer and well into fall. If you are looking for easy, low maintenance flowers, check out these beautiful annuals. 

Coreopsis

Also known as tickweed, this annual flower comes in many shades and colors making it a great option for any garden. This flower loves full sun locations, and loamy, well-drained soil. It can thrive in zones 3-8. This flower also comes as a perennial and can be planted at a more mature age in mid-summer for fall blooms.

Cosmos

Cosmos are bright, beautiful flowers that love the sun. They come in orange, pink, purple, red and white. They are a great in flower beds, or as companion plants in vegetable garden beds. Cosmos flowers take about 7 weeks to the first bloom, so early summer is the best time to directly sow into the soil for fall blooms.

Cosmos love loamy, sandy soil, and once established, can be a bit tolerant to drought and dry weather. 

Globe Amaranth

The globe amaranth has round blossoms, most commonly purple but can also come in pink, yellow, white and lavender. These beautiful flowers do well in most planting zones and love full sun locations with nutrient rich soil. Although they can handle a bit of drought, these flowers enjoy moist soil.

Globe amaranth will bloom from summer up until the first frost in late fall. 

Lantana

Lantana is both an annual and a perennial depending on you gardening zone. For zones 1-8, lantana is an annual. For zones 9-11, lantana is a perennial. This easy to grow flower blooms from spring through fall, and will continue blooming in locations that do not get frost. This flower loves a full sun location with fertile soil. 

Plants can be grown in containers and overwintered indoors in colder locations. 

Limnanthes

Also known as meadowfoam, this beautiful white and yellow flower loves the heat and does well in most gardening zones. Plant seeds directly into the soil and enjoy blooms well into fall. 

These flowers are low maintenance and do a great job attracting pollinators to the garden.

Marigolds

Bright orange or yellow flowers, marigolds make a great addition to any garden. These fast and easy growing annual flowers grow in almost any condition and do a great job as companion plants in vegetable gardens. Marigolds easily re-seed themselves year after year and love being in a full-sun location.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are edible orange or red flowers that work great in any garden. They grow well in almost any kind of soil and love the sun. Although it is best to start them in late spring, nasturtiums will still have time to grow and bloom if planted in early summer. These plants are great at attracting pollinators and are wonderful companion plants in the garden.

Sunflowers

Bright and happy flowers, sunflowers grow quickly and are the perfect option for summer planting. Many sunflowers will bloom all summer and well into fall, so if you plant in the early summer, you’ll have plenty of blooms before the first frost.

Sunflowers love the sun and can handle drought-like conditions. They do not need special soil, and are so easy to grow that anyone can be successful. 

Verbena

Verbena is perfect for attracting butterflies and other pollinators to your garden. This plant with clusters of tiny flowers loves a full-sun location with well drained soil. Verbena does not do well if watered too much, and should get about an inch of water a week.

Similar to Lantana, this flower is a perennial in warmer climates but cannot live through a frost and would need to be overwintered in containers in colder climates. 

Zinnias

Colorful and bright, zinnias are great at attracting bees and butterflies to your garden. These easy to grow flowers are the perfect addition to your garden as they love the sun, grow quickly and require little work to thrive. Once established, they can handle drought-like conditions too. 

Perennial Flowers to Plant in Summer

As long as you have access to a garden nursery, you can buy mature plants and plant in the heat of the summer. Many flowers are sun-loving and can handle transplanting in high-heat conditions. If you’re late to gardening this year, check out this great list of perennials that can be planted in the summer.

Aster

Asters are blue flowers with a daisy-like look that bloom in late summer and well into fall. They are a great option for summer planting as transplanting in early summer leaves plenty of time for them to recover and bloom well into the season. 

These flowers love a partial shade location and do best in an area that cools down well in the evening. Otherwise, these flowers are very easy to grow.

Black-Eyed Susan

One of the best options for summer planting, the black-eyed susan is perfect for anyone wanting to grow a blooming,  hardy flower. Native to north America, this easy-to-grow flower grows best in full-sun locations and will bloom from June to October.

Plant this flower in nutrient rich soil, and alone, as it will crowd out other plants. They are perfect for adding to border or in containers and do a great job attracting butterflies and other pollinators to the garden.

Blanket Flower

Also known as Gaillardia, blanket flower is a short lived perennial with brightly colored blooms, usually red, yellow, orange and peach. The “blanket” term comes from the plants ability to spread across the ground like a blanket. It blooms well from summer through fall. 

Plant in a full sun location. Gaillardia can thrive in any kind of soil as long as it drains well. Water frequently when first planted. Once established this flower does well in drought-like conditions. It can tolerate zones 3-10.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)

Purple Coneflowers, also known as Echinacea, are beautiful flowers used to attract pollinators and also useful for teas and tinctures. If you’re searching for a great flower that has loads of potential, this is the perfect option. You can plant coneflowers in your garden in the summer. These flowers love sun. Hardy and drought tolerant, they also come in more than just purple!

These flowers love well-drained, average soil and are hardy from zones 3-8.

Enjoy your garden this summer and don’t be afraid to plant a little later! There are plenty of options for summer planting. 

More Gardening Ideas:

• Vegetables to Plant in the Summer (for Fall Harvest)
• 9 Flowers You Can Plant with Your Vegetables
• Flowers That Attract Bees to Your Garden

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