In certain parts of the world, summer doesn’t last very long. If you don’t want to spend your entire summer watching over your flowers, low maintenance varieties are an ideal choice. These ten easy to care for flowers will brighten up your summer garden while requiring almost no maintenance, meaning you can enjoy them long after they’ve finished blooming.Â
Table of Contents
1. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a warm-weather flower that requires full sun. They can grow between six to eight feet tall and three to four feet wide, meaning they take up quite a bit of space in your garden. Sunflowers should be planted early in spring and before you plant, make sure to clear away any nearby rocks or other obstructions so their roots have room to spread out. After planting them in well-drained soil, water them with a gentle spray until they’re well soaked; sunflowers don’t require a lot of watering, but moisture is essential for their overall health.
2. Petunias
Petunias may be one of the most common types of flowers grown in summer, and for good reason. The daisy-like flowers are easy to grow, come in a variety of bright colors, and are a great choice for container gardening. It’s important to choose varieties that tolerate heat and humidity—otherwise, they will drop their petals when conditions get uncomfortable. Petunias need well-drained soil and a lot of light; full sun is ideal, but they will also do well in partial shade.
3. Zinnias
Zinnias are one of America’s favorite annual flowers and for good reason. Zinnias love sunshine, mild temperatures, and most importantly, lots of water! If you live in a dry area or have drought conditions in your yard during the summer months you can still grow zinnias. Simply plant them in containers that are easy to water and fill with moist soil. Don’t forget to give them some TLC. By planting your zinnias near other flowering plants they’ll provide nourishment via cross-pollination to surrounding flowers such as petunias, daisies, lilacs, and more!
4. Snapdragon
Do you want a flower that’s so easy to care for, that it practically takes care of itself? Try growing snapdragons!
These tall and spiky flowers are incredibly simple to grow. In fact, when paired with a sunny spot and well-drained soil, they’ll often poke their heads up through cracks in your sidewalk. Water them once or twice a week until they’re established—that is, until roots have formed and they can survive on rainwater alone—then let them be. You should only need to water when they haven’t gotten any rain for three days.
5. Pansies
The beauty of pansies is that they don’t require much special care. While they do enjoy a sunny spot, they can stand up to less-than-ideal weather and still bloom beautifully. Some gardeners recommend avoiding pansies in windy locations as their petals are delicate and may fall victim to breezes, but it shouldn’t stop you from growing them in your garden. If you have a small space to work with or simply want an easy plant for beginning gardening enthusiasts, try your hand at growing pansies! If any of these conditions sound familiar, don’t despair — there are plenty of low-maintenance flowers out there for you.
6. Marigolds
These flowers are a staple of summer blooms. Marigolds are extremely easy to care for, as they thrive in hot, dry conditions that most other plants can’t handle. They also tend to attract insects which keep your garden pest-free. These flowers prefer sun and well-drained soil but require almost no water once established. Plant marigolds in areas where they will be visible from your house—they look lovely on either side of a pathway or driveway and provide butterflies with a reliable food source through most of the summer. If you live in an area with rabbits or other small rodents, plant marigolds around your garden fence; these pests don’t like them and will avoid them.
7. Larkspur
These flowers are bright and cheerful. They grow to be around 12 inches tall and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Larkspur should be planted in full sun or partial shade, making them perfect for outdoor gardens in summer. These flowers do well with most kinds of soil, but make sure it’s well-drained for best results. It’s important to keep your larkspur watered; otherwise, it will wilt during hot days.
8. Lantana
Lantana flowers are beautiful, summer-blooming perennial flowers that have low water requirements and require little care. The plants require six hours of sunlight a day, thrive in full sun or partial shade, and need rich soil that is kept moist but not soggy. Deadheading will keep them flowering all summer long; you can trim them to your liking for even more blooms. Also, lantana prefer temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit when they are actively growing and won’t do well if temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The beautiful lantana plant generally flowers from May through August.
9. Alyssum
Plant alyssum in full sun with well-drained soil. This flower blooms for months, beginning in late spring and lasting through autumn. With just two to three feet of space, you can easily create a beautiful border around an entryway or add interest to your landscaping. Alyssum is a great addition to any container gardening, as it tends to spill over its edges and requires very little care once established. A low-maintenance plant like this also makes for an ideal choice when planting perennials with children—or busy adults! It’s easy enough that even first graders can learn how to start growing their own flowers.
10. Dianthus
Dianthus (or Dianthus if you’re feeling proper) is a genus of about 300 species that are commonly referred to as carnations. Though they typically only reach six inches in height, dianthus comes in colors ranging from white and pink to dark reds and purples. Despite its small stature, a single plant can produce flowers all summer long when cared for properly. Dianthus are known to be an excellent addition to any garden due to their low maintenance qualities. Whether your home features ornamental flower beds or a stunning front lawn, dianthus make ideal companions for roses and other flowering plants, as they’re sure not to take over or outgrow their space.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’re more aware of the many different types of low-maintenance summer flowers available, it’s not too late to try some of these options out.
Did you try out any of these flowers for a low-maintenance summer? If so, let us know how it went in the comments below!
