Gardening
Flowers
Wildflowers Can Be a Beautiful All Summer Long
By
David Beaulieu
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David Beaulieu
David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.
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Updated on 01/24/24
Reviewed by
Mary Marlowe Leverette
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Reviewed byMary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.
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Wildflowers are increasingly popular in gardens across the United States. They're relatively easy to grow and care for and create an incredible palette of colors, textures, and foliage throughout the summer months. While it's ideal to select wildflowers that are indigenous to your region, it's often acceptable to select non-native plants if they are unlikely to become invasive.
Tip
Native plants are adapted to your region and will grow without needing much attention. If you do decide to grow wildflowers that are not native to your area, they may require a fair amount of care.
Here are 12 wildflowers to consider for your garden.
01 of 12
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Native to the northeastern U.S., the New England aster is a cheerful salt-tolerant perennial suitable for roadside plantings. Pictured is a cultivar named the 'Purple Dome' New England aster. Propagation can be achieved by dividing the plants in the spring.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
- Color Varieties: Purple, pink, or white rays with yellow centers
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained soil amended with compost
- Water Needs: Prefers moist soil, but can tolerate some drought when established
02 of 12
Blanket Flowers (Gaillardia aristata)
Blanket flowers are so named because their colors are reminiscent of an Indigenous blanket design. A North American plains wildflower, blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata) offers a two-toned look. Division in spring provides a way to rejuvenate these beautiful blossoms and increase your stock.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
- Color Varieties: Various shades of red, yellow, orange, or peach
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-draining soil, avoid clay soil
- Water Needs: Tolerates dry conditions
03 of 12
Queen Anne's Lace Wildflower (Daucus carota)
Queen Anne's lace bears the botanical name Daucus carota. Indeed, Queen Anne's lace is related to carrots. If you pull up one of these wildflowers, you can smell a carrot-like fragrance emanating from the bruised roots. The one dark little flower in the middle of the flower head is called the "fairy seat." The color can also vary. It can be found in shades of purple or burgundy.
The plant has a deep tap root and spreads aggressively in a garden. It's best to wear gloves when handling the plant extensively.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3a to 11a
- Color Varieties: White with red or black center
- Sun Exposure: Sun to partial shade
- Soil Needs: Neutral to mildly alkaline
- Water Needs: Prefers evenly moist soil, will tolerate drought
04 of 12
Bachelor Buttons (Centaurea cyanus and Centaurea montana)
The origin of the name "bachelor buttons" comes from the way these flowers were once used. They were sometimes placed in the buttonhole of a suit or shirt; bachelors sported the flower when they went courting. They are also called cornflower or bluebottle.
These flowers are prized as one of the true-blue wildflowers. There are two varieties: the annual known to botanists as Centaurea cyanus (pictured) and perennial bachelor buttons, Centaurea montana.
- USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11
- Color Varieties: Pale blues, purples, pinks, and reds
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Average, well-drained soil
- Water Needs: Prefers moist soil but tolerates drought
Continue to 5 of 12 below
05 of 12
Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
Plains coreopsis is an annual wildflower. Like the blanket flower, plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) is an indigenous flower to the North American prairies. Moonbeam coreopsis is a variety that is a perennial and many garden centers now offer lots of other cultivated varieties.
- USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11
- Color Varieties: Yellow petals with a reddish-brown center disk
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Clay, dry, or shallow-rocky soil
- Water Needs: Extremely drought-tolerant
06 of 12
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Coneflowers come in many different colors. For example, some common orange coneflowers include Echinacea'Firebird' and 'Secret Lust.' Those interested in natural remedies may know purple coneflower equally well by its botanical name, Echinacea purpurea. In wildflower gardens, purple coneflower is valued for the purplish color of its petals. Spring is the recommended time to divide this perennial.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
- Color Varieties: Purple, mauve, rose-pink
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial
- Soil Needs: Any soil amended with fertilizer
- Water Needs: Prefers moist soil
13 Recommended Plants With Daisy-Like Flowers
07 of 12
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Cardinal flower is a fine hummingbird plant. It is also an effective plant for wet areas. Cardinal flower or Indian pink (Lobelia cardinalis) is one of the more striking red wildflowers native to eastern North America.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
- Color Varieties: Scarlet red, white or rose
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial
- Soil Needs: Rich, medium to wet soils
- Water Needs: Does not tolerate drought
08 of 12
Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta)
If ever a plant needed a common name, it's Rudbeckia hirta, better known as "black-eyed Susan." This plant is just too pretty and cheerful a plant to be called by its mouthful of a botanical name. A wildflower native to eastern North America, black-eyed Susans share the Rudbeckiagenus name with gloriosa daisies.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
- Color Varieties: Gold to orange petals with brown center
- Sun Exposure: Full
- Soil Needs: Average, well-drained soil
- Water Needs: Prefers moist soil but will tolerate drought
10 Easy-Growing Wildflowers for Your Garden
Continue to 9 of 12 below
09 of 12
White Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata or Nuphar luteum)
Water lilies or pond lilies are a must wildflower for water gardens. The lily pads of water lilies are perhaps valued as highly as the water lily flowers. These splendid aquatic plants bear the botanical name Nymphaeaodorata.
A similar yet different plant (widely found in New England ponds) isNuphar luteum, commonly known as the "yellow pond lily." It is similar in the sense that it shares the same natural habitat and sports those iconic lily pads, but it is distinct both botanically (different genus) and color.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 11 (depending on variety)
- Color Varieties: White, pink, or yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial
- Soil Needs: Wet, poor, sandy soil
- Water Needs: Does not tolerate drought
10 of 12
Wild Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Indigenous to Mexico.Cosmos bipinnatus goes by the common name of "wild cosmos." This wildflower is often used in xeriscaping, a reflection of the fact that it is a drought-tolerant plant.
- USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11
- Color Varieties: Golden yellow, white, pink, magenta, orange, yellow, red, chocolate
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-draining soil (not too rich)
- Water Needs: Tolerates drought well
15 Wildflower Garden Ideas for a Wild Backyard Oasis
11 of 12
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Chicory root (Cichorium intybus), after it is dried, can be roasted and ground to serve as a coffee substitute. For plant enthusiasts, chicory, introduced from Europe and naturalized across much of the country, is valued more like a blue wildflower.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
- Color Varieties: Blue; occasionally white or pink
- Sun Exposure: Full
- Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained, neutral to alkaline
- Water Needs: Tolerates drought
12 of 12
Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
The oxeye (Leucanthemum vulgare) is an Old World native that has become an invasive plant in North America, despite enjoying popularity.
Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) is not a wildflower but a hybrid variety developed by Luther Burbank that bears a resemblance to the well-known wildflowers that were originallycalled "day's eye". Among the most popular perennial garden plants in North America. 'Becky' is a cultivated shasta daisy.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
- Color Varieties: White or yellow with yellow center
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial
- Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Water Needs: Minimally drought-tolerant
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FAQ
What is the most common wildflower?
The black-eyed susan and common sunflower are the most common wildflowers across the United States.
What type of flower is a wildflower?
A wildflower is just what its name would imply—a flower that grows in the wild. A wildflower was not intentionally planted or put in a specific spot; it simply cropped up on its own. Often, these are excellent pollinator flowers.
What time of year should you plant wildflowers?
If you want to replicate the freeform, organic, and colorful look of wildflowers in your own yard, it's best to put seed down in early to mid-fall. They will germinate and establish roots before going dormant as the weather turns cold.
What is the most resilient wildflower?
Lance leaf coreopsis is often considered to be the most resilient wildflower. This vibrant flower will survive until the first frost, and it's also not susceptible to hungry deer. The daylily is also considered to be hardy and tough wildflower.
Will wildflowers come back every year?
Yes! Wildflowers will reseed and come back every year, furthering their wild growth.
Designing a Dreamy Wildflower Garden You Can Maintain
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
New England Asters. University of Vermont Extension
Queen Anne's Lace. University of Minnesota Extension.
Cosmos Produces Cosmic Beauty. Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.
Leucanthemum x superbum. Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder.
