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Maybe you’re staring at garden beds or empty pots, wanting that burst of color but not sure where to start. The seed packets at the store can be overwhelming, and you might worry about choosing the wrong thing. I get it.
This list is here to make it simple. These are reliable, beautiful flowers that thrive when planted in spring. Whether you have a big garden or just a few containers, these picks will help you grow a stunning display of color that lasts for months.
Here are 18 great flowers to plant this spring.
1. Marigolds
These are the ultimate cheerful, easy-care flowers. They come in sunny yellows, oranges, and reds, and they bloom non-stop from late spring until frost. Marigolds are great for borders or pots, and many gardeners believe they help keep pests away from vegetable plants.
2. Zinnias
If you want big, bold color and lots of flowers for cutting, plant zinnias. They grow incredibly quickly from seed sown right in the ground. They love heat and come in almost every color imaginable. The more you cut them for bouquets, the more they bloom.
3. Sunflowers
Nothing says summer like a sunflower. They’re fun and easy to grow, especially with kids. Choose from giant, towering varieties or smaller, branching types that produce many blooms. They bring instant joy and attract bees and birds to your garden.
4. Petunias
Perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers, petunias spill over edges with cascades of color. They are prolific bloomers and do well in full sun. Modern varieties don’t require deadheading (removing old flowers), making them very low-maintenance.
5. Snapdragons
These charming flowers bring lovely vertical interest to garden beds. Kids love to pinch the sides of the blooms to make the “dragon’s mouth” open and close. They prefer cooler spring temperatures and can often bloom into early summer, especially if you keep them picked.
6. Cosmos
With their delicate, feathery foliage and daisy-like flowers on tall, wispy stems, cosmos add a light, airy feel to any garden. They are drought-tolerant, grow easily from seed, and attract butterflies. They’re perfect for filling in the back of a border.
7. Lavender
This fragrant perennial is a wonderful investment. Plant it in a sunny, well-drained spot, and it will come back year after year. Its soothing purple spikes and incredible scent are great for borders, herb gardens, or as a natural calming presence near a patio.
8. Sweet Peas
Plant these for their gorgeous, old-fashioned fragrance. They are a cool-weather flower, so get them in the ground early in spring. They love to climb, so give them a trellis or fence. Regularly picking the flowers for fragrant bouquets encourages more blooms.
9. Nasturtiums
Both the leaves and the bright, edible flowers have a peppery taste, perfect for salads. They grow easily from seed and thrive in poorer soil. They can trail beautifully from containers or sprawl as a cheerful ground cover in garden beds.
10. Pansies & Violas
These are the champions of cool weather. Plant them early in spring for instant color. Their “faces” come in an amazing array of patterns and hues. They are ideal for pots and planters when the weather is still brisk and will often keep blooming if the summer is mild.
11. Salvia
A magnet for hummingbirds and pollinators, salvia produces spikes of vibrant blue, purple, pink, or red flowers. It’s a tough, heat-loving plant that blooms continuously. It works wonderfully in mass plantings and adds a strong structural shape to the garden.
12. Coneflowers (Echinacea)
A native perennial that is both beautiful and tough. Its large, daisy-like flowers with raised centers attract butterflies and bees all summer. Once established, it’s very drought-tolerant. Leave the seed heads in fall to feed the birds.
13. Impatiens
The go-to flower for shady spots. Impatiens provide reliable, bright color in areas where other flowers won’t bloom. They are excellent for filling in beds under trees or brightening up a shaded porch in containers.
14. Dahlias
For truly spectacular, dinner-plate sized blooms, plant dahlia tubers in spring. They start blooming in mid to late summer and put on an unforgettable show until the first frost. They require a bit more staking and care, but the breathtaking flowers are worth it.
15. Geraniums
A classic container plant for good reason. Geraniums are tough, bloom in bright clusters of red, pink, or white, and can handle a bit of neglect. They love full sun and are perfect for adding dependable color to pots, window boxes, and borders.
16. Morning Glories
These fast-growing annual vines quickly cover a trellis or fence with heart-shaped leaves and vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers that open each morning. They grow easily from seed and are perfect for creating a temporary, colorful screen.
17. Begonias
Another fantastic choice for shade. Begonias offer beautiful foliage and constant blooms in shades of pink, white, and red. The wax begonia types are especially durable for both beds and containers, handling heat well once established.
18. Calendula
Often called “pot marigold,” calendula produces cheerful orange and yellow flowers that are also edible. It’s easy to grow, prefers cooler weather, and will often self-seed for you year after year. The petals make a bright addition to salads or can be used in homemade salves.
