10 Easy-to-Grow Plants to Add Colour to Your Garden All Summer Long

There’s nothing quite like a garden bursting with vibrant colour, especially during the long, sun-soaked days of summer. But not everyone has the time or experience to nurture fussy plants or orchestrate complicated garden designs. The good news? Many beautiful, long-blooming plants are incredibly easy to grow, even for beginners. Whether you have a sprawling yard or a modest balcony, these 10 easy-to-grow plants will keep your garden glowing with colour from late spring right through to the first autumn frost.

1. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)

Why Grow Them:
Zinnias are the ultimate summer flower for low-maintenance, high-impact colour. Available in a rainbow of shades—from bold reds and oranges to soft pastels and even green—zinnias bloom continuously all summer long.

How to Grow:

• Sun: Full sun (at least 6 hours daily)

• Soil: Well-drained, average soil

• Water: Moderate; water at the base to avoid powdery mildew

• Tips: Sow seeds directly after the last frost; deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

Bonus: Zinnias attract butterflies and make excellent cut flowers.

2. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)

Why Grow Them:
Marigolds are famous for their cheerful, sunny hues—think gold, orange, and yellow—and their ability to thrive in almost any garden. They’re also fantastic for deterring pests, making them a great companion plant for vegetables.

How to Grow:

• Sun: Full sun

• Soil: Any well-drained soil

• Water: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established

• Tips: Start from seed or transplants; remove spent flowers for continuous bloom.

Bonus: Marigolds are virtually pest-free and can help repel nematodes and aphids.

3. Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.)

Why Grow Them:
Geraniums are classic bedding plants with clusters of bright red, pink, purple, or white blooms. They’re perfect for containers, window boxes, and borders.

How to Grow:

• Sun: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil

• Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings

• Tips: Remove faded blooms to prolong flowering; bring indoors before frost if you want to overwinter them.

Bonus: Geraniums are drought-tolerant and can handle some neglect.

4. Petunias (Petunia spp.)

Why Grow Them:
Petunias are renowned for their wide colour range and prolific flowering. They spill beautifully from hanging baskets, window boxes, and garden beds.

How to Grow:

• Sun: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil

• Water: Regular watering, especially in containers

• Tips: Deadhead regularly; fertilize every couple of weeks for best performance.

Bonus: Petunias are available in single or double blooms, and some are even fragrant.

5. Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea)

Why Grow Them:
Coneflowers are tough, drought-resistant perennials with daisy-like blooms in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow. They bloom from early summer to fall and attract pollinators.

How to Grow:

• Sun: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, average to poor soil

• Water: Low; drought-tolerant

• Tips: Plant in spring or fall; divide clumps every few years for best results.

Bonus: Coneflowers are deer-resistant and make long-lasting cut flowers.

6. Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)

Why Grow Them:
With their sunny yellow petals and dark centres, black-eyed Susans are a summer garden staple. They’re hardy, low-maintenance, and bloom for months.

How to Grow:

• Sun: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, average soil

• Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established

• Tips: Deadhead to prolong bloom; cut back in late fall.

Bonus: These flowers are magnets for bees and butterflies.

7. Salvia (Salvia splendens and S. farinacea)

Why Grow Them:
Salvias offer vivid spikes of blue, purple, red, or white flowers that bloom all summer and into fall. They’re heat-tolerant and loved by hummingbirds.

How to Grow:

• Sun: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained soil

• Water: Moderate; don’t overwater

• Tips: Remove faded spikes to encourage more blooms; some varieties are perennial in mild climates.

Bonus: Salvias are deer-resistant and thrive in hot, sunny spots.

8. Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)

Why Grow Them:
If you have a shady spot, impatiens are your go-to for non-stop colour. Their blooms come in red, pink, purple, white, and orange, and they flower continuously until frost.

How to Grow:

• Sun: Partial to full shade

• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

• Water: Keep soil consistently moist

• Tips: Great for containers and shady borders; avoid overhead watering to prevent disease.

Bonus: Impatiens are perfect for brightening up dark corners of your garden.

9. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)

Why Grow Them:
Nasturtiums are cheerful, easy-to-grow annuals with vibrant orange, yellow, and red blooms. Both the flowers and leaves are edible, adding a peppery kick to salads.

How to Grow:

• Sun: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Poor to average, well-drained soil (too much fertilizer reduces blooms)

• Water: Low to moderate

• Tips: Sow seeds directly after frost; let them trail from baskets or climb up supports.

Bonus: Nasturtiums attract pollinators and can help deter aphids from other plants.

10. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)

Why Grow Them:
Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, produces masses of daisy-like yellow, orange, or red blooms from early summer to fall. They’re tough, drought-tolerant, and thrive on neglect.

How to Grow:

• Sun: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, poor to average soil

• Water: Low; drought-tolerant

• Tips: Deadhead to prolong flowering; divide clumps every few years.

Bonus: Coreopsis is a favourite of butterflies and makes a cheerful addition to any border or wildflower garden.

Tips for a Colourful, Low-Maintenance Summer Garden

• Mix Annuals and Perennials: Combine fast-growing annuals like zinnias and marigolds with long-blooming perennials such as coneflowers and coreopsis for season-long colour.

• Deadhead Regularly: Removing spent blooms encourages most plants to produce more flowers.

• Feed and Water Wisely: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer and water in the morning to keep plants healthy and blooms abundant.

• Mulch: A layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keeps your garden looking tidy.

• Attract Pollinators: Many of these easy-to-grow plants are pollinator magnets. A pollinator-friendly garden not only looks beautiful but also supports bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Easy Planting Guide: When and How to Start

Conclusion: A Summer of Effortless Colour

You don’t need to be a master gardener to enjoy a summer garden bursting with colour. With these 10 easy-to-grow plants, you can create a vibrant, low-maintenance oasis that lasts from late spring into autumn. Whether you’re filling borders, containers, or even a sunny balcony, these flowers will reward you with months of blooms and bring joy to your outdoor space.

So grab your trowel, pick your favourites, and get ready to enjoy a season of effortless beauty. Your summer garden, alive with colour and life, is just a few easy plants away!