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Our Favorite Colorful Flowers

Flowers are one of the very best ways to add color and visual interest to your gardenscape. From unique, dramatic hues like black and burgundy to cheerful pops of bright pink, yellow, or orange and everything in between, there really is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to create a whimsical garden full of pretty pastels or a row of well-organized beds filled with unexpected, high-contrast hues, there’s a flower out there for you. Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite colorful flowers to inspire you on your gardening journey!

1. Gerbera Daisies

Gerbera Daisies
Image Credit: https://gardenerspath.com

Gerbera Daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) are first on this list for a reason! They come in shades of red, yellow, orange, salmon, pink, and white. These showstoppers do best in full sun and prefer sandy soil with good drainage, as they are prone to root rot. They also prefer when the days are warm and the nights are cool. For best results, water them in the morning. Gerbera Daisies are hardy in Zones 8 – 10 but can be grown as annuals elsewhere.

2. Sweet Pea

Sweet Pea
Image Credit: www.kitchengardenseeds.com

Sweet Pea is a fragrant, brightly colored option that blooms in the spring. It’s available in shades of pink, purple, and white. We recommend planting these pretty flowers near a garden gate or doorway for a colorful, sweetly scented display.

3. Catmint

Catmint
Image Credit: boulevard-flower-gardens.shoplightspeed.com

Catmint (Nepeta species) features pretty purple flowers. It is easy to grow, long-blooming, and heat-tolerant. It is also deer-resistant, making it a great choice if deer are a problem in your area. Catmint is hardy in Zones 3 – 9.

4. "Knock Out" Roses

Knock Out Roses
Image Credit: plantaddicts.com

Intimidated by roses but craving their colorful blooms? “Knock Out” roses are easy to grow and come in a gorgeous, traditional red as well as hot pink, blush pink, creamy yellow, and sunset-hued “Rainbow,” which really gives you your pick of colors! Just be sure to plant yours in a sunny spot. It’s also important to note that unlike many varieties, these roses have very little scent.

5. Potentilla

Potentilla
Image Credit: www.bluestoneperennials.com

Looking for the perfect yellow flowers? Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa) offers pretty yellow flowers all summer long. It does best in full sun with well-draining soil, but can tolerate poor, dry soil and extreme cold, making it a very versatile option. Just be sure to prune out a third of the old stems during the growing season to make way for new blooms! Potentilla is hardy in Zones 2 – 6.

6. Felicia Daisies

Felicia Daisies - closeup view
Image Credit: www.provenwinners.com

Felicia Daisies (Felicia amelloides) are a great choice for blue lovers. They offer stunning sky-blue petals paired with bright yellow centers. They do well in dry, sunny conditions and are hardy in Zones 9 – 11, but can be grown as annuals elsewhere.

7. Queen of the Night Tulips

Queen of the Night Tulips
Image Credit: www.farmergracy.co.uk

Queen of the Night Tulips grow from a simple bulb and produce velvety, nearly black flowers in late spring. They’re a great way to add drama to your gardenscape and are truly unique and “unexpected.” You can create a monochrome garden bed or try interspersing them with white, pink, or yellow flowers for a softer look. They are hardy in Zones 3 - 8, but can be grown as annuals elsewhere.

8. "Green Star" Gladiola

Green Star Gladiola
Image Credit: lowes.com

"Green Star" Gladiola (Gladiolus 'Green Star') offers stunning green blooms that tend to open all at once during July and August, creating a truly spectacular display. At 4 ft. tall, "Green Star" Gladiola is also a great way to add height to your gardenscape. Bonus? Butterflies adore these unusual green flowers, which are hardy in Zones 8 – 11.

9. "Totally Tangerine" Avens

"Totally Tangerine" Avens
Image Credit: www.gardenia.net

Looking for a pretty orange flower for your gardenscape? Look no further than "Totally Tangerine" Avens (Geum 'Totally Tangerine'). It features pretty orange flowers that bloom from late spring through midsummer. Cool weather and deadheading help encourage more blooms. It can handle full sun or partial shade and is hardy in Zones 4 – 7.

10. Cornflowers

Cornflower - Assorted Colors
Image Credit: https://horticulture.co.uk

Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus), sometimes called Bachelor’s Buttons, are pretty annuals that come in blue, pink, red, white, and purple. They grow quickly and prolifically but require very little care, making them ideal additions to any garden. Bonus? When cut, they're great for filling out vases and making whimsical bouquets!

Happy Growing!