Are you a novice gardener hoping to spruce up your outdoor area with some color and beauty? Growing flowers may be a gratifying and joyful activity, even for individuals with very little gardening knowledge. There are several easy to grow flowers that may flourish in a variety of circumstances, regardless of whether you prefer to overwater and submerge your plants or just simply forget about them. This post will discuss ten flowers that are ideal for novices, some of which can tolerate being basically submerged underwater and others of which are resistant to being a bit neglected.
1. Marigolds
Marigolds are a great choice when you are looking for something painless and easy to grow. They are “beginner proof” so go ahead and drown them or neglect them while you get the hang of things. They bloom all summer long and can be planted in pots or directly in the ground. Marigolds come in many colors, mostly vibrant yellows and oranges so they are a great choice when looking for something to “POP” in your garden.
2. Zinnias
Zinnias are extremely hardy flowers. They can handle the abuse from overwatering and underwatering. They thrive in full sun, and work perfectly in pots or straight into the ground. Zinnias come in many different colors and are notorious for attracting butterflies. Who doesn’t want butterflies in their garden?
3. Sunflowers
What about something tall? Sunflowers can grow very tall, up to 30 feet or more. (Pay attention to the label of your seeds if tall is not something you desire.) They are also heliotropic, which means they follow the sun throughout the day. Their flower heads always face toward the east by the end of the day. At maturity their heliotropic nature stops and most will consistently face the east. Sunflowers need full sun and are fairly resilient to both overwatering and underwatering. They are extremely vibrant and attract many pollinators.
4. Petunias
Petunias are perfect for those awkward hanging baskets. I don’t know why, but it seems like many plants just don’t work in a hanging basket. Petunias DO! Even though they attract bees and butterflies, they actually self-pollinate. They need no help at all from other pollinators. Which makes them a perfect companion plant for other plants. Petunias are part of the nightshade family, along with tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. They come in many different colors such as pink, blue, and purple.
5. Geraniums
Geraniums might be your go-to easy to grow flower. They can survive in various conditions and bloom for a long time. They can tolerate full sun, partial shade, and drought. Geraniums produce colorful flowers from spring to fall and sometimes even in winter. Feel free to plant them any way you’d like. They work in pots, hanging baskets (yay!) and straight in the ground.
6. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are extremely beginner friendly. They are easy to grow and bloom quickly in the right conditions, which are in full sun and a well-draining soil. Nasturtiums have edible flowers, leaves, and seed pods that have a strong peppery mustard-like flavor. Nasturtiums are a salad lovers dream! Add them to salads and sandwiches or even just as a garnish. They are great flowers for your garden since they also repel pests and attract pollinators.
7. Cosmos
If you’re looking for an easy to grow flower from seed, Cosmos are the perfect flower. They are delicate flowers, but they can handle overwatering and a bit of neglect. They thrive in full sun and work both in pots and in the ground. This is another one that will attract bees and butterflies to your garden. Cosmos are another flower with edible petals, so you can load up your salads and sandwiches with beautiful flowers!
8. Black-eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans are native wildflowers in North America. They were first discovered in the eastern United States. Since they are wildflowers, they are extremely easy to grow. They bloom for long periods of time as long as they’re planted in full sun and well-draining soil. Their bright yellow and orange colors attract pollinators including butterflies and bees. Black-eyed Susans are the perfect easy to grow flower for your garden.
9. Pansies
Pansies are great when you need a flower for the cooler months. They prefer partial shade but can also tolerate full sun. Pansies are perfect for that fun pop of color in your garden. They are another flower that you can grow any way you’d like. They work great in containers, hanging baskets, (I think I may have stumbled on my own list of hanging basket flowers!) or directly in the ground.
10. Salvia
Salvia is a hardy purple perennial flower. They remind me of lavender stalks, but they are actually part of the mint family. They are easy to grow and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. They thrive in full sun and can be planted in containers and straight into the ground. They are resilient to watering struggles and come in a very vibrant purple that will be very eye catching in your garden. If Salvia is your flower of choice there should be further research done to ensure it is a good choice for where you’d like to place it. Salvia has been used as a drug for centuries, known to cause extremely intense hallucinations. So, protect yourself and your loved ones by researching the risk.
Whether you tend to drown your flowers or neglect them, I’m sure these easy to grow flowers are the perfect flowers to get you going. Have fun, and experiment with different varieties and colors. Just have fun with it. Wishing you a beautiful and vibrant garden that brings you joy!
–Until next time, Keep blooming!