The Best Outdoor Flowers
Growing outdoor flowers can be a joy and a delight, when spring, summer and fall bring staged profusions of flowering plant life that draws butterflies, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and friendly neighbors in for a visit. Selecting the best outdoor flowers for the garden or landscape space is as much about matching the right types of flowering plant life to the growing environment as it is about personal preference. Nothing can be more discouraging than installing a favorite type of flowering plant only to discover that it fails to make it through to bloom season. Learn from experts about the best outdoor flowers and choose the ones that meet your preferences and growing needs.
Selecting Plants for Your Growing Zone
One of the most important considerations beyond that of simply selecting plants known to flower well and long with a minimum of care is to try to match flowering plant life to your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. Different hardiness zones will indicate which types of outdoor flowers are likely to fare better in your area. Consult with a local nursery, garden center, or gardening association to learn recommendations for outdoor flowers that grow easily in your hardiness zone.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is so easy to grow and care for that once it has become established it practically grows itself, producing a profusion of blossoms that smell as sweet as they look. As an extra bonus, honeysuckle is tolerant of a wide variety of temperatures and growing conditions and can fare well across many of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones.
Hibiscus
The hibiscus originated from a wildflower and to this day still bears the nicknames swamp hibiscus and rose mallow to prove it. The hibiscus can grow well in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 10 and will bloom heavily with its trademark large, round red, white or pink blooms as long as full sunlight and adequate water is available.
Moonflower
The moonflower is a vine growing outdoor flower that hails from the morning glory family. The moonflower can grow practically anywhere and vines can exceed 10 feet at maturity. The moonflower is a trainable vine and can serve equally well as an upright grower for covering structures or for groundcover.
Petunia
The petunia can grow well in all plant hardiness zones and has a vine-like appearance as the plants mature. Petunias are easy to grow and care for, requiring only sunlight and regular watering, and can be grown equally well in pots or free soil.
Zinnias
Zinnias are gorgeous, profuse bloomers that will grow well in all hardiness zones and can serve equally well for outdoor flowers or cut flower arrangements. Zinnias can bloom in white, orange, red, double or single blossoms, providing vivid flowering color to any garden setting.
Globe Amaranth
The globe amaranth is one of the most unique of all outdoor flowering plants in its deep purple globe-shaped flowers, each sitting daintily atop a single long green stalk. The globe amaranth will grow equally well in full sun or partial shade, and requires only moderate watering to thrive. As a bonus, the globe-like blooms can also be dried for use in flower arrangements.
