50 Popular Flower Varieties to Get You Growing

Zinnia flowers — PHOTO: MILAN JENA / EYEEM; GRAPHIC: MYDOMAINE

Going to the plant nursery can be so overwhelming. As you stare at aisles and aisles of flowers and plants, how are you supposed to pick what’s right for your garden? And what works well together? And where do you start?

If you’re planning to add flowers to your garden, you’ve come to the right place. From beginner plants to varieties for the pros, we’ve rounded up 50 types of flowers guaranteed to add some life and color to your garden year-round. Go ahead and grab your gloves—you’ll want to get planting after reading about these popular flower varieties.

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Roses

Botanical Name: Rosa
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-draining, loamy soils
Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5

Roses are probably the first flowers that come to mind when you think of the most popular flowers to plant. They make beautiful bouquets, and they come in a huge variety of colors. When they’re in your garden, the bush out into a large, beautiful plant.

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Lily

Botanical Name: Hemerocallis
Sun Exposure: Part sun to full sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-draining, sandy to clay soils
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0

Lilies stand tall in a garden, and they come in a ton of different colors thanks to all of the flower varieties. They prefer quite a bit of sun, so be sure to place them in a place where they will be happy.

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Anemones

Botanical Name: Anemone
Sun Exposure: Light shade
Soil Type: Rich, moist soil
Soil pH: 5.6 to 7.5

Known for their contrasting centers and petals, anemones will add a soft statement to your garden. Their delicate petals often surround a bold center, which helps attract pollinators.

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Yellow Daisy

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0

There’s nothing quite as cheery as a bright yellow daisy, and they’re pretty easy to grow, too.

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Ranunculus

Botanical Name: Ranunculus
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5

There’s something about the fluffy blooms on a ranunculus that fills out a garden so beautifully. They bloom for about six to eight weeks during the spring, so you’ll be able to enjoy their flowers for quite a while.

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Succulents

Botanical Name: Echeveria
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5

Succulents are touted as some of the easiest plants to grow, but they can definitely be finicky! They don’t like too much water, and they’ll easily rot if given more than they need. There are tons of different varieties of succulents, but we’re partial to echeverias like the one above.

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Iris

Botanical Name: Iris
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.8

Known for their bright purple blooms, irises stand tall in gardens and command attention. They make great border flowers and look just as beautiful in a vase as they do in a garden.

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Sunflower

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Loose, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5

If you really want to make a statement, plant some sunflowers in your garden. Not only can they reach heights of up to 14 feet, but they have giant blooms that can be bigger than your head.

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Poppy

Botanical Name: Papaver
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Loose, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.0

Poppies get their names from the way their buds swell and pop open to reveal the flower inside. They are big sun lovers, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight a day to thrive.

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Tulip

Botanical Name: Tulipa
Sun Exposure: Full sun or partial shade
Soil Type: Loose, crumbly, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5

Tulips grow from bulbs, which you can actually store for up to 12 months at a time and replant. They’ll produce beautiful, cup-shaped flowers come spring.

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Orchid

Botanical Name: Orchidaceae
Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
Soil Type: Aerated, well-draining orchid soil mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5

If you live in a cold area, perhaps orchids aren’t for you. They thrive in humid, hot environments, and they can do well inside, but they won’t do well on a chilly day outside. Make sure your soil is well-aerated too, they hate to have wet roots for long.

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Peony

Botanical Name: Paeonia
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-drained, slightly acidic soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.0

The wispy petals of the peony make for a great, delicate addition to any garden. They’ll bloom for a rather short period of time, but they’re so beautiful that it’s worth it.

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Allium

Botanical Name: Allium giganteum
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Type: Rich, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5

Did you know alliums are actually a type of ornamental onion? Yep, you read that correctly. They are part of the garlic family, but how could you not fall in love with those snowball-like blooms?

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Black-Eyed Susan

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.8 to 7.7

While they look similar to a daisy, black eyed susans are almost easier to grow. They tend to spread and come back year after year, so be ready to make room for them to reappear.

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Daffodil

Botanical Name: Narcissus pseudonarcissus
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Rich, moist soil
Soil pH: 6.0

Bright and cheery in appearance, daffodils are a great beginner flower. They grow from bulbs, and they tend to bloom anywhere from six weeks to six months at a time.

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Crocus

Botanical Name: Crocus sativus
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Rich well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

These tiny blooms tend to pop up as soon as the snow starts to melt. Despite their size, they’re a hardy flower that can survive a frost.

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Calendula

Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis
Sun Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil Type: Well-draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

Calendula flowers are actually part of the daisy family (as you probably could guess from its appearance). They tend to bloom in early summer to late fall, and the flower actually has some healing properties.

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Pansies

Botanical Name: Viola tricolor var. hortensis
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Soil Type: Rich well-drained soil
Soil pH: 5.4 to 5.8

Despite their name, pansies are a tough flower that can bloom in colder temperatures and survive a frost. They come in pinks, yellows, purples, reds, and other colors, making them a versatile flower species.

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Forsythia

Botanical Name: Forsythia
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Loose, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 7.0 to 8.0

If you’re looking for a large, flowering bush, forsythia is the way to go. Blooms cover its branches from root to tip, making for a stunning display.

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Mums

Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Loose, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0

You may know this flower for its fall blooms or by its nickname, mums. Short for chrysanthemum, mums are round flowers that stay pretty into the colder months.

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Hydrangea

Botanical Name: Hydrangea
Sun Exposure: Partial sun to shade
Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.2

Hydrangeas are a great shrub to add to the front or sides of your house. When they bloom, big puff balls of blue, pink, white, or purple flowers emerge, adding color and texture to their foliage.

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Coneflower

Botanical Name: Echinacea
Sun Exposure: Partial sun
Soil Type: Any well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.0

Purple petals surround the rotund center of the coneflower, also known as echinacea. It’s a cheery flower that’s also similar in shape and size to the daisy. It’s a pretty hardy flower, meaning it can survive in most conditions.

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Petunia

Botanical Name: Petunia
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Any well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

With funnel shaped flowers, the petunia vines and shows off its colorful blooms. Their shape allows pollinators like hummingbirds and bees to dive right in and do their thing.

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Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavandula
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Any well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.7 to 7.3

A fragrant flower like lavender is a great choice around patios or porches. You can actually dry the flowers and use them to scent areas in your home (in tiny sachets) long after they’ve fallen off the plant.

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Lilac

Botanical Name: Syringa
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.0

Another sweet-smelling flower is the lilac. It grows in a large bush that doesn’t do well around other trees or plants, so keep that in mind when picking where to place it.

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Marigold

Botanical Name: Tagetes
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Loose, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

If you have trouble with deer eating your flowers, marigolds may be the answer. They’re a naturally deer-resistant plant that boasts bright flowers for months.

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Hellebores

Botanical Name: Helleborus
Sun Exposure: Part shade to full sun
Soil Type: Rich, free-draining soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5

Hellbores come in so many colors that it’ll be hard to choose just a couple! They even have a dark, almost black variety that creates a perfectly moody garden.

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Dahlia

Botanical Name: Dahlia pinnata
Sun Exposure: Full sun with afternoon shade
Soil Type: Rich, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.6 to 7.0

You’ll be creating endless luscious bouquets if your garden is full of dahlias. They have layered petals that create a full, intricate looking flower.

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Nasturtium

Botanical Name: Tropaeolum
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Light and sandy soil
Soil pH: 6.1 to 7.8

These easy-growers can survive winter, making them a pretty great choice for beginners. The leaves and flowers are edible, too.

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Bloodroot

Botanical Name: Sanguinaria canadensis
Sun Exposure: Dappled shade to part sun
Soil Type: Rich, moist, free-draining soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5

There’s something undeniably cheery about this plant with a less-than-cheerful name. The name does indeed come from its roots, which emit a blood-like sap when broken.

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Rhododendron

Botanical Name: Rhododendron
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Rich, moist, free-draining soil
Soil pH: 4.5 to 6.0

Once spring is around the corner, it’s so exciting to watch the big buds appear on rhododendron bushes. They spring open into papery pink flowers, almost looking like little pre-made bouquets.

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Forget-Me-Nots

Botanical Name: Myosotis
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Type: Moist, free-draining soil
Soil pH: 5.6 to 7.0

How could anyone forget these precious little flowers? They have delicate blooms that reach up toward the sun and are the perfect plant if you just want to dot some color around your garden.

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Impatiens

Botanical Name: Impatiens walleriana
Sun Exposure: Partial shade to deep shade
Soil Type: Peat-based soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5

Those with shady gardens will appreciate impatiens. They tend to do better out of the sun, and they still bloom in red and pink despite being shade dwellers.

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African Violets

Botanical Name: Saintpaulia
Sun Exposure: Partial shade, avoiding afternoon sun
Soil Type: Loose, sandy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5

A lot of people keep African violets indoors, but you can plant them outside as well. They’re better suited for climates that don’t get a ton of snow or frost, and they don’t like being in the direct sun for long.

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Begonias

Botanical Name: Begonia
Sun Exposure: Partial shade, avoiding afternoon sun
Soil Type: Loose, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 5.2 to 6.0

Begonias come in a ton of different shapes and sizes, some flowering, some not. If they do bud, they tend to boast pink or red blooms with waxy leaves.

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Zinnias

Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Rich, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5

Add some drama to your garden with zinnias. They are actually called “plants that are hard on the eyes” in some cultures because they have such bright, colorful blooms.

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Morning Glory

Botanical Name: Ipomoea
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Rich, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.8

The vining morning glory will fill your flowerbeds and walls with tons of purple flowers. It spreads very quickly, so be sure to trim it back to keep it contained.

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Shasta Daisy

Botanical Name: Leucanthemum × superbum
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil Type: Rich, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 5.8

You’ll probably be happy to see your garden pushing up daisies when they’re this beautiful. They have bright yellow centers and can survive in just about any soil type.

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Snapdragons

Botanical Name: Antirrhinum majus
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil Type: Rich, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.2 to 7.0

For a plant that blooms later in the season, look no further than the snapdragon. Spears of blooms will appear from late spring to early fall, and they prefer cooler temperatures in general.

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Cosmos

Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatus
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil Type: Loose, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.0

Paper-thin petals and wispy green foliage are the main characteristics of the cosmo flower. They add a bit of whimsy to a garden.

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Creeping Phlox

Botanical Name: Phlox stolonifera
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 5.7 to 7.5

These little bundles of color will creep their way throughout your garden, just as the name implies. It’s a great ground cover plant and can even be an alternative to grass.

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Sweet Alyssum

Botanical Name: Lobularia maritima
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

Another great option for ground cover is sweet alyssum. The teeny tiny blooms create a gorgeous rippling effect as they climb over bumps and valleys on the ground. They also look great hanging over a pot or planter.

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Dianthus

Botanical Name: Dianthus
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.6 to 7.3

Wispy, eyelash-like petals are what adorn the small dianthus. Despite being a smaller flower, they make a big statement with their flowers looking like bullseyes.

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Sweet Pea

Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil Type: Any kind of soil
Soil pH: 7.0 to 7.5

Native to Sicily, the sweet pea will actually climb just about any surface. It’s great if you want to fill vertical space on a trellis or wall.

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Geraniums

Botanical Name: Pelargonium
Sun Exposure: Direct sunlight
Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
Soil pH: 5.8 to 6.3

A great beginner plant is the geranium. They’re pretty easy going and tend to bounce back if you over- or under-water.

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Gardenia

Botanical Name: Gardenia jasminoides
Sun Exposure: Filtered sunlight to light shade
Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
Soil pH: 5.0 to 6.0

Did you know gardenias are actually part of the coffee family? They have waxy white flowers and smell amazing, too.

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Foxglove

Botanical Name: Digitalis
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
Soil pH: 4.5 to 8.3

Foxglove makes a great vertical filler in a garden or tight space. Spears of flowers will rise from the ground in pinks, yellows, and purples.

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Hyacinth Bean

Botanical Name: Lablab purpureus
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.8

If you want a plant that isn’t very fussy about the type of soil it’s in, go for hyacinth bean. It isn’t too particular about where it grows!

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Hollyhock

Botanical Name: Alcea
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0

For mid-summer blooms, go for hollyhock. They grow vertically, blooming in spears, and look similar to the hibiscus flower.

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Sedum Carl

Botanical Name: Hylotelephium ‘Carl’
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
Soil pH: 6.1 to 6.5

This sedum is actually a succulent, so you don’t want to add too much water to it. It also needs to be in well-draining soil so it doesn’t get root rot.