Summer is the perfect time to grow an array of pretty plants that will add vibrant colors and delightful fragrances to your garden. Embrace the summer season and take advantage of the optimal conditions it offers for growing pretty flowers. With longer days, warm temperatures, and a diverse selection of blooms, your garden will become a haven of beauty and tranquility.

Here is why summer is a great season to grow plants:

Longer Days and More Sunlight - During summer, the days are longer, providing ample sunlight for plants to thrive. Flowers, especially sun-loving varieties like marigolds, zinnias, and petunias, bask in the extra sunshine, resulting in robust growth and abundant blooms.

Warm Temperatures - Most plants prefer warmer temperatures, and summer provides just that. The warmth encourages faster germination, root development, and overall plant growth. The higher temperatures during summer facilitate pollination and enhance flower production.

Extended Blooming Periods - Many flowers have extended blooming periods during the summer months. With longer days and optimal growing conditions, you can enjoy a continuous display of colorful blossoms throughout the season. Consider planting perennial flowers like coneflowers, daylilies, or coreopsis for long-lasting beauty.

Diverse Flower Selection - Summer offers a wide range of flower choices to suit every gardener's preferences. From delicate roses to cheerful daisies and exotic orchids, there is something for everyone. Take advantage of the variety available and experiment with different flower types to create a stunning and diverse garden.

Attracting Pollinators - Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators are most active during the summer months. By planting beautiful flowers in your garden, you not only create an aesthetically pleasing space but also provide a valuable food source for these important creatures. This helps support local ecosystems and promotes biodiversity.

Outdoor Enjoyment - Summer is a time when many people spend more time outdoors enjoying their gardens. Growing pretty flowers and plants allows you to create an inviting outdoor space where you can relax, entertain guests, or simply appreciate the beauty of nature around you.

Gardening Therapy - Gardening has been proven to have numerous therapeutic benefits, including reducing stress and improving mental well-being. Taking the time to care for your garden during summer can be a soothing and rewarding activity, allowing you to connect with nature and find peace in the process.

Here are six of our favorite plants that will thrive in the summer:

Bidens - Biden flowers are wonderful for adding vibrant color and low-maintenance beauty to your summer garden. These plants are prolific bloomers producing an abundance of small, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red throughout the summer months. This continuous blooming ensures a constant splash of color in your garden. These versatile plants can be used in various ways in the garden. They make excellent bedding plants, border plants, or even container plants for patios and balconies. Their compact size and spreading habit also make them suitable for ground covers or spilling over retaining walls.

Calibrachoa - Calibrachoa flowers, also known as Million Bells or trailing petunias, are an excellent choice for adding vibrant color and a cascading effect to your summer garden. These low-maintenance plants thrive in the warm weather. Calibrachoas are renowned for their abundant and continuous blooming throughout the summer months. Their small, petunia-like flowers come in a wide range of colors, including shades of red, yellow, pink, purple, and white, providing a stunning display in garden beds, hanging baskets, or containers.

Canna - Canna flowers are a stunning addition to any summer garden. These tropical plants boast large, vibrant blooms and lush foliage, making them a true showstopper. Canna flowers come in a wide range of colors, including shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and even bi-colored varieties. Their bold hues add a pop of color to any garden, creating a visually striking display. The vibrant canna flowers are attractive to various pollinators, such as hummingbirds and butterflies, adding an extra layer of interest and contributing to a healthy ecosystem in your garden.

Coreopsis - Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, are highly prized for their ability to thrive in hot, sunny conditions, making them an excellent choice for summer gardens. They can tolerate extended periods of drought without wilting or losing their vibrant blooms. Most Coreopsis varieties bloom continuously from early summer until the first frost, providing a steady supply of cheerful flowers throughout the warmest months of the year. Once established, Coreopsis plants require minimal care and attention. They are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, and their drought tolerance means they don't need frequent watering.

Sweet Potato Vine - Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) is an excellent choice for adding vibrant color and lush foliage to your summer garden. This fast-growing, trailing vine can be grown in various settings, including garden beds, hanging baskets, containers, and even as a groundcover. Their trailing habit allows them to cascade beautifully over the edges of planters or spill onto pathways, creating a lush, natural look. One of the most appealing features of sweet potato vines is their stunning foliage. Varieties include deep purple-black leaves, while others offer chartreuse-colored foliage. These vibrant hues can add a pop of color to any garden setting. They are drought-tolerant and can thrive in various soil types, making them an ideal choice for those who prefer low-fuss gardening.

Yarrow - Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a herbaceous perennial that thrives during the summer months, making it an excellent addition to any garden. This hardy plant is highly drought-tolerant, which makes it an ideal choice for regions with hot, dry summers. Once established, it can survive with minimal watering, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners. Yarrow blooms from early summer through fall, providing a long-lasting burst of color in the garden. Its flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers come in various shades, including white, yellow, pink, and red, adding visual interest to any landscape.

What is your favorite heat-loving summer plant?

Photos courtesy of Proven Winners.