7 Summer Flowers You Can Still Plant and Enjoy This Season

It's not too late to liven up your garden with bright and colorful blooms.

Bright, colorful flowers are one of the best things that summer has to offer. So, if you don't have any flowers planted in your garden or yard, you might feel like you're missing out a bit on these seasonal treats. But, don't worry, it's not too late to plant summer flowers and still watch them bloom before the seasons change. Below, we've rounded up fast-growing flowers that you can still plant and enjoy during the summer months.

Related: These Are the Fastest Growing Plants You Can Still Grow This Season

Zinnia

Zinnias grow quickly in the summer heat, sometimes taking less than two months from seed to flower. They also have a long bloom time, lasting from two to five months, so you can enjoy these colorful flowers from late summer into the start of fall.

Hardy Hibiscus

Hardy hibiscus, as the name implies, can tolerate a range of conditions while still providing big, tropical blooms. However, it's generally recommended to start hibiscus seeds indoors several weeks in advance, so it may be best to pick up a hibiscus plant from a local garden center if you're looking for quicker results. The plants typically bloom for two to three months, around August through October.

Marigold

Marigolds bring bright orange and yellow pops of color against their dark green, fernlike foliage, so they're a striking addition to any garden plot. These flowers take about two months to grow, so you can still plant them in June and enjoy their blooms starting in August.

Mandevilla

Mandevilla is a tropical vine with glossy green leaves and big, showy flowers. This low-maintenance plant has a long bloom time, starting as early as late spring and lasting until the first frost. Mandevilla is also a popular choice for growing in containers, and it makes a great addition to patios, decks, and front porches.

Pincushion Flower

Pincushion flower (Scabiosa) gets its name from the numerous stamens that look like pins poking out from the flower head. The bloom time lasts from summer to fall, but it's recommended to start seeds indoors several weeks in advance, so you may want to start with a rooted plant instead. This plant does best in moderate climates or with partial shade in hotter climates, so make sure you have the right conditions before committing.

Globe Thistle

Not your traditional flower, globe thistle produces spherical flower heads formed by densely packed tubular flowers. These Dr. Seuss-like flowers can still be planted in June for blooms that will last from mid-summer through fall.

Coneflower

Coneflower is a popular perennial wildflower with a daisy-like appearance. The most common way to grow coneflowers is to buy the plants from a nursery and plant them in the ground when they're small and about to bloom. Then, you can enjoy the purple blooms all summer—and again next year when they return.

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