There are several health benefits of asparagus, and you should try to add this spear-like plant food to your dinner plate whenever you can.

This tasty vegetable will:

• Help keep your immune system healthy.
• Lower your cholesterol
• Help prevent diabetes, cancer, and heart disease
• And more…

Okay, so maybe you don’t care much for asparagus because every time you go to the toilet after eating the food, your urine seems to have an unpleasant odor. I’m sure we’ve all experienced that before, after eating even a small amount of asparagus. But it’s nothing to be alarmed about, and there’s also no need to go rushing off to the emergency room either.

Asparagus is also an excellent source of folate and vitamin E and contains fructooligosaccharides, (wow! what a name), which help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon. It is also a natural diuretic.

Did you know that during the 17th century in France, asparagus was extremely popular among the royal household, and not just for its incredible fresh taste, but also because the tender spears were thought to be a powerful aphrodisiac?

For asparagus connoisseurs, there’s no better welcome sign when those brilliant green tips start poking their heads above ground. It’s also a welcome sign for your health as well, since asparagus contains compounds that can help in the fight against cancer, heart disease, and congenital disabilities.

What Are The Health Benefits of Asparagus?- 1. Asparagus is Rich in Vitamin E

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Another reason to add asparagus to your plate is that this veggie contains vitamin E, which is great for your heart. Getting just 10 international units of vitamin E a day can substantially reduce your risk of heart disease.

Five spears of asparagus have around 0.4 international units of vitamin E, which is about one percent of the daily value.

While it may be difficult for you to eat a ton of asparagus to get all the vitamin E alone, you also get vitamin E in dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, and kale, as well as in nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, and pecans.

Seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame are also excellent sources of vitamin E, as are avocados, squash, pumpkin, broccoli, and fruits such as raspberries, blackberries, mangoes, peaches, apricots, and guavas.

Vitamin E does a lot more than protect you from heart disease; it may also even help prevent Type II or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It does this by protecting your pancreas (the organ that produces insulin) and also by influencing how your body burns sugar. People with low levels of vitamin E also run the risk of developing diabetes nearly four times that of people who get plenty of this vitamin regularly.

2. Asparagus Contains Folate

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The asparagus spears are full of folate, a B vitamin, which is essential for helping your cells to regenerate. Just five spears contain 110 micrograms of folate, which is about 28% of the daily value.

We should all be taking in about 400 micrograms of folate a day for optimum health, and if you’re a woman and are pregnant, you might want to take in as much as 600 micrograms. Not only is folate excellent for women in their childbearing years, but it also helps in the fight against heart disease in men and women.

Folate acts as a floodgate that controls the amount of homocysteine (an amino acid) in the bloodstream. When folate levels drop, homocysteine levels rise, causing damage to the tender arteries that supply blood to your heart as well as your brain. Getting enough folate may be just as crucial for preventing heart disease as it is for controlling cholesterol.

If only we would increase our intake of folate to at least 400 micrograms a day, we would see the number of deaths caused by heart disease drop considerably. Now, you don’t have to get all your folate from asparagus: other foods richly endowed with folate include broccoli, spinach, Bok Choy, and cauliflower, to name just a few.

3. Asparagus Contains Glutathione, a Detoxifying Compound

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There is a protective substance in asparagus called glutathione. This protein acts as a powerful detoxifying compound that helps remove poisonous free radicals – high-energy particles.

That, when left unchecked, has the effect of ricocheting wildly through your body, scarring and punching holes in your cells, and doing the type of damage that can easily lead to serious cancer. Asparagus is one of those vegetables that is high on the list for its glutathione content.

Adding to that, the health benefits of asparagus can help ward off many common health-related problems with its anti-inflammatory properties, including issues such as certain cancers, heart disease, and all types of diabetes.

Not only does asparagus contain substances such as glutathione and folate, but it’s also packed with a lot of other vital goodies like:

• vitamin C
• vitamin B
• vitamin E
• vitamin K
• selenium
• manganese
• calcium
• zinc
• iron

4. Asparagus Can Help You Lose Weight

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Full of fiber and low in calories, asparagus is a great addition to your diet if you’re trying to lose weight.

You can eat a lot of asparagus without loading up on calories. I can eat an entire tray of broiled asparagus: so yummy!

5. Asparagus is a Great Mood Booster

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Because of its high content of folate and vitamin B, asparagus can help lift your spirits ( at least indirectly).

Couple eating asparagus with a bit of time in the garden (tending to your asparagus and other veggies you are growing), and you’ll be in a better mood.

How to Store Asparagus to Get the Most Out of It

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Because folate gets destroyed by exposure to air, heat, or light, you need to take special care when storing asparagus. Place your asparagus bunch in a cup with 1/2″ of water in the bottom and stick it in the fridge. Better yet, eat it as soon as you pick (or purchase) it.

When it comes to cooking asparagus, vigorous boiling isn’t necessary. You also have to remember that this vegetable is incredibly tender, so in order not to destroy too many of the nutrients, you may want to microwave your asparagus instead. Even steaming asparagus can eliminate some of the nutrients.

Since most of the nutrients in asparagus are in the tips, it’s far better to slow cook them upright in a tall container rather than piling them at the bottom of a baking dish. Just add a few inches of water to the pot, cover with a lid, and bring to a simmer.

The reason you should keep the tips of the asparagus out of the water is that this way you’ll not only preserve the nutrients, but it also helps the stalks cook more evenly, as well as much more quickly.

How to Best Prepare Asparagus

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Because of the asparagus’s natural freshness, you don’t necessarily need to add butter or a sauce to bring out its delicate flavor. All it needs is quick steam or broil, and you can even eat it raw, straight out of the garden.

Although you can eat asparagus from top to bottom, the last bit of the stalk can be slightly woody and sturdy. It’s best to discard that part. The easiest way to do this is to bend the stem, which should naturally snap off where the inflexible end stops, and the tender part starts.

However, if the spears are thick, the snap method could waste the perfectly good flesh. To preserve more of the stalk, use a vegetable peeler to peel the bottom area of each spear. Using a sharp knife, you can easily prod the point where the flesh turns woody. Then cut the bottom off there.

1. Add it to your salads raw

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This is the easiest! Add a few fresh spears to your daily salad for some added nutrition and fiber.

I always eat some while picking it, straight out of the ground!

2. Broil it for a quick treat or side dish

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Wash, trim, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and broil for 5 minutes, turning once. It’s THAT simple! You can eat this as a snack or add it as a side dish.

Learn more about cooking asparagus.

3. Make asparagus quiche

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Our asparagus doesn’t often make it past broiled or in salads, but occasionally, I prepare a garden quiche and add asparagus to it, too. Very tasty and colorful.

4. Use the woody parts to make asparagus soup

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I personally have a hard time throwing good food away. So, I use the harder parts of the asparagus to make cream of asparagus soup. It’s a must-try at least once in the spring!

Disclaimer

Please take note that the information on this page is designed for educational purposes only. This information is by no means a substitute for medical care by a licensed healthcare provider.

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From Roasted to Grilled—Perfect Asparagus, Every Time

How to Grow Asparagus: Secrets to a Healthy Crop

Gardens buzz with life, especially when they host flowers that attract bees. These industrious pollinators are drawn to blooms that provide rich nectar and pollen sources. The dance between flowers and bees is critical, as pollination is essential for plants to produce fruits and seeds, ensuring the continuation of various plant species.

Certain flowers are natural magnets for bees: they attract through vibrant colors, enticing scents, and even ultraviolet patterns that guide the bees right to their source of nourishment. As bees move from flower to flower, they inadvertently transfer pollen, aiding in the cross-pollination necessary for a diverse and thriving ecosystem.

Choosing the right flowers is vital for garden enthusiasts looking to create a buzzing haven for these valuable insects. It’s not merely about aesthetics but also about providing a habitat that supports bees’ life cycle and environmental role. In doing so, gardeners can enjoy a flourish of activity and contribute to the health of the local pollinator population.

Why Should You Make An Effort to Attract Bees to Your Garden?

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Bees are indispensable pollinators, serving the flowering plants that compose many natural habitats. They facilitate reproductive success in plants, which is crucial for plant diversity. This pollinating activity supports the growth of fruits and vegetables, directly affecting human food sources and industry.

Climate change significantly influences bee populations, altering their distribution and the viability of the habitats they rely on. Risks such as temperature fluctuations and extreme weather events can disrupt bees’ life cycles and flower availability, critical factors in their role as pollinators. Consequently, these changes can threaten bees’ pollination services to plants producing fruits and vegetables. Protecting bee populations from the adverse effects of climate change is thus critical for maintaining balance in ecosystems and ensuring food security.

Choosing Flowers for Your Bee-Friendly Garden

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Creating a bee-friendly garden requires a thoughtful selection of flowers that thrive in your area and attract the local bee populations. Opt for native plants and consider flower colors and shapes when planting flowers to attract bees.

Choose plants that produce single-type flowers

This type of blossom has one ring of petals around a center. Single flowers produce more nectar for insects. Their simple blossoms are also more accessible for foraging bees to manipulate.

Select native plants

Native plants offer natural advantages in a garden as they are adapted to local conditions and require less maintenance. They also tend to form symbiotic relationships with native bees, providing them with high-quality pollen and nectar.

Consider flower colors & shapes

Blue, purple, violet, white, and yellow flowers are highly appealing to bees. A mix of flower shapes is also beneficial, as different species of bees have varying body sizes and tongue lengths. Tubular-shaped flowers attract long-tongued bees, while flat or open shapes provide easier access for short-tongued species.

By understanding the needs of your local USDA zone, selecting native plants, and providing a range of flower colors and shapes, you can create a vibrant, supportive environment for bees throughout the seasons.

Invite ALL bees and pollinators

Honey bees are not the only insects that benefit from bee-friendly flowers. Many other pollinators enjoy a diverse selection of blooming plants. Bumblebees, mason bees, and butterflies will make their way to your oasis of bee forage. In a world of decreasing bee habitats, your planting choices can make a big difference.

Flowers That Attract Bees

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Creating a bee garden that provides yearly resources is essential for supporting a healthy bee population. It involves choosing plants that bloom at different times, ensuring there is always something for bees to forage.

• The garden should start with early bloomers like crocus and snowdrops that emerge even when snow is on the ground. These flowers are crucial as they provide nectar and pollen when other food sources are scarce.
• As the garden transitions into summer, plants like hyssop and coneflower take center stage with their long blooming periods and high nectar content.
• Autumn bloomers such as sedum and Joe-pye weed can provide for bees later in the year
• When other blooms begin to fade, Aster and Goldenrod become critical food sources.

1. Crocus (Crocus sativus)

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These are among the first to bloom, often in late winter or early spring. They offer a range of colors and are a sign that spring is coming.

2. Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

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Dainty and white snowdrops can push through frozen ground and offer bees their first meals of the year.

3. Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

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With its spikes of violet flowers, hyssop is attractive to bees and adds vibrant color to a garden.

4. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

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This daisy-like bloom, typically pink or purple, stands out in the summer garden and is a favorite among bees for its abundant nectar, even during dry spells.

5. Lavender (Lavandula)

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Lavender flowers are a bee favorite due to their rich nectar stores and soothing fragrance. Learn more about growing lavender.

6. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

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Sunflowers attract bees with their large, pollen-filled centers and bright, inviting petals. However, do not choose the “pollen-free” variety.

7. Sage (Salvia officinalis)

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Sage offers a continuous supply of nectar. These vibrant flowers come in various colors, drawing in bees all season.

8. Stonecrop (Sedum)

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This succulent comes into its own in the fall with thick clusters of flowers.

9. Goldenrod (Solidago)

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Goldenrods supply a late burst of pollen, ensuring bees have resources to prepare for winter.

10. Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum)

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Tall and stately, Joe-pye weed offers both nectar and a visual anchor in the fall garden as other plants begin to fade.

11. Purple Aster (Symphyotrichum patens)

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Asters offer a late-season nectar and pollen feast.

12. Mint (Mentha)

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Mint is a powerful attractor for bees due to its strong fragrance. It flourishes in various conditions and can spread quickly if not contained.

13. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

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Basil, particularly the flowering varieties like African Blue or Thai Basil, offers rich nectar that bees find irresistible.

14. Bee Balm (Monarda)

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Bee balm is beautiful in a small mass planting and pairs well with many other flowers bees love.

15. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

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Black Eyed Susan attracts bees and other pollinators, and it’s an easy-to-care-for plant that brightens any corner.

Beneficial Practices for Bee Gardens

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Creating a sanctuary for bees in your garden involves certain practices that maximize the health and safety of these pollinators.

1. Avoid the Use of Pesticides

Pesticides pose a significant risk to bee populations. Gardens should rely on natural predators to manage pests and choose plants that are less susceptible to diseases. For gardeners, it’s essential to select chemical-free alternatives and biological solutions to protect our bee friends, especially native bees, from harmful exposure.

2. Support Bees with Water Sources

Bees need water for survival, but shallow sources to prevent drowning. A garden can include a shallow bird bath or a dish with pebbles and water. Placing these near foraging areas helps bees hydrate without traveling far.

3. Provide Bees Nesting and Foraging Opportunities

Native bees and bumblebees require a range of floral resources and nesting sites. Gardens should offer a variety of flowers that bloom across different seasons, ensuring continuous foraging opportunities. Undisturbed patches of bare soil and dead wood can serve as excellent nesting sites for ground-nesting and cavity-nesting bees, respectively.

How to Attract a Diversity of Bee Species

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Attracting a variety of bees to a garden is imperative for pollination success. To create a supportive environment, consider native and foraging bee species.

Encourage Bumblebees and Solitary Bees

Plant a range of flowers that provide continuous blooms throughout the seasons to support bumblebees and solitary bees. These bee groups prefer various flowers that offer abundant pollen and nectar sources. For instance, planting foxgloves can attract bumblebees due to their long tubular shape, while solitary bees often favor open-faced flowers like daisies for easy access.

Facilitate Various Bee Foraging Behaviors

Different bees exhibit unique foraging behaviors and preferences. While some bees, like honeybees, might forage on a wide range of plants, others, like certain native bees, may be more specialized. Gardens can cater to these behaviors by mixing plant species to provide more options. For example, incorporating native plants often helps attract diverse bees to urban gardens, supporting generalist foragers and those with more specific needs.

By understanding bees’ distinct preferences and foraging behaviors, gardens can be designed to attract and sustain a healthy diversity of bee populations.

Garden Maintenance and Seasonal Care

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Effective garden maintenance and seasonal care ensure that flower beds remain vibrant and conducive to pollinators throughout the year.

Do Regular Checkups and Deadheading

Regular checkups are crucial: inspect flower beds weekly to identify and resolve issues such as pest infestations or diseased plants. Deadheading, or the removal of spent flowers, encourages plants to produce more blooms, thus providing continuous sustenance for bees. Snipping off the wilted flowers just above the first set of healthy leaves is essential.

Winter Prep: Protecting Plants and Bees

Winter prep becomes essential for protecting plants and pollinators as temperatures drop. Mulch flower beds to insulate plant roots and provide shelter for overwintering bees. Leaving some dead plant material undisturbed is also beneficial, as it can offer a safe haven for bees during the colder months. Creating a balance between tidiness and providing habitat is critical for a bee-friendly garden.

Have no Fear: Bees Are Friendly

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Foraging honey bees are no threat to humans. In fact, I find it delightful to watch bees flying from flower to flower. They are busy working with no concern for my presence.

Honey bees are not defensive while foraging. However, you should respect their space. No swatting, please! Take care when planning your garden. Do not put bee-friendly plants too close to walkways and other human-occupied spaces.

Bees and humans can share a bee-friendly garden. A good design of flowers that attract bees is a thing of beauty. Food for the bees and delight for the human heart.

I hope you’ll plant a lovely bee-attracting garden now that you know how to choose flowers that attract bees to your garden

Read more:

14 Plants That Help Bees Through the Cold Winter

What Time Of Day Is Best To Install Package Bees?

Red flowering shrubs are a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape, providing a burst of color and visual interest. With their striking hues, these shrubs can be used to create a focal point or to add depth and dimension to your outdoor space.

From deep crimson to vibrant scarlet, red flowering shrubs come in a range of shades and sizes, making it easy to find the perfect one to suit your needs. Today, we’ll explore some of the most popular red flowering shrubs, including their growing requirements, maintenance needs, and how to incorporate them into your garden design.

Red Flowering Shrubs You’ll Love

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If you’re looking to inject some real drama and vibrancy into your garden, you need to incorporate some red flowers.

Beautiful, scarlet flowers will set your outdoor space ablaze with color throughout the summer. Some red flowering shrubs, like the Scarlet Fitrethorn and Winterberry, will even produce their glorious blooms/berries throughout the winter months, providing you with a dazzling display of color when most other plants have finished flowering for the year.

There are many red-flowering bushes available. Each of them will produce blooms in different shades, so you might feel overwhelmed by the tricky task of choosing the perfect shrubs for your garden.

To help make things easier, we’ve listed a few of our favorite red flowering shrubs below, along with a useful buying guide that’s packed with hints and tips on what to look for before you make your final decision.

1. Azalea Autumn Fire (Rhododendron ‘Autumn Fire’)

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This dwarf azalea delivers a striking burst of rich, true red color with semi-double velvety blooms, adding year-round charm to any garden. Its compact size makes it perfect for smaller spaces, while its vibrant blossoms create a stunning focal point.

Ideal for borders, containers, or as a standalone focal point, this azalea provides continuous interest and beauty throughout the seasons.

2. Red Flowering Quince (Japanese quince)

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One of the first shrubs to bloom early in the spring, flowering quince is hardy and easy to grow. They’re great for mixed borders, providing early color and a dark evergreen backdrop later.

Older varieties like Super Red, Toyo-Noshiki, and Texas Scarlet produce fall fruits that birds love.

3. Yuletide Camellia (Camellia sasanqua)

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The Yuletide camellia (Camellia sasanqua) is a compact shrub with glossy, dark green evergreen leaves. It features bright red single blooms with striking yellow stamens in winter, attracting birds and butterflies.

Known for its drought tolerance, easy care, and extended blooming season, it makes an excellent accent, border, hedge, or mass planting in woodland gardens. Its upright habit and winter foliage color add seasonal interest, and its flowers are great for cutting.

4. Cherry Explosion Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

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This is a beautiful, colored hydrangea shrub, perfect for creating low hedges or to add a pop of color to your garden or porch as a companion. The blooms of this particular hydrangea plant put on a show from summer all the way through winter. They go from cherry-red to deep pink, then mauve, and finally, dry up.

Get this gorgeous hydrangea shrub from Nature Hills. They also have grateful red hydrangeas, a unique shrub you can’t find in stores.

And if you love hydrangea flowers, here are a few more resources about growing hydrangea shrubs:

• How to prune hydrangeas
• Why aren’t my hydrangeas blooming?
• Landscaping with hydrangeas

5. Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles)

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What a beauty! This gorgeous red shrub will attract birds and butterflies; it’s drought-tolerant and will put on a complete show. It works well planted as a focal point, maybe at the front of your property, or close to your front door.

6. Chilean Fire Bush (Embothrium coccineum)

By Arthur Chapman – Embothrium coccineum (Chilean Firetree), CC BY 2.0

Perfect for adding privacy to your backyard, this fast-growing bush is great for mild temperature areas. It has beautiful flowers in the summer and greenery in the winter. And while it does best in the sun, it will do well in partial shade too, and once established, drought conditions won’t bother it. Sadly, firebush is not deer resistant.

7. Red Knock Out Rose Shrub (Rosa ‘Knock Out’)

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If you want a burst of red color without a lot of fuss, you must get red knock-out rose shrubs with these companions. They bloom from May till the first frost, thrive in all climates, and are disease-resistant. Knock out rose bushes produce an abundance of flowers, and I think every garden needs at least a few to add their bright color to the flower beds.

While knockout roses don’t need to be deadheaded, leaving the spent flowers might not look that great. So, if you have some time, go ahead and snip those flowers that are past their prime. Your rose shrub will soon reward you with more showy flowers. These roses bloom from early summer through late summer, making a great addition to any summer garden and landscape.

Learn more about growing roses:

• Landscaping with knock out roses
• How to create a rose flower garden
• How to prune roses

8. Bloom-A-Thon Red Re-blooming Azalea

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This gorgeous reblooming azalea shrub will make you happy all summer long. Blooms first appear in April, and then again in July (they last until the first frost, giving you several months of pretty red blooms). Great planted in borders, but does amazingly well potted up on your porch too!

9. Lantana (Lantana camara)

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Lantana is a flowering plant native to tropical regions of Central and South America. It is a shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall, with a sprawling growth habit and branches that can become woody with age. Its leaves are dark green and rough-textured, with a serrated edge. The flowers are small and arranged in dense clusters called umbels, which can be pink, yellow, orange, deep magenta red, or a combination of these colors.

Lantanas have a slightly fruity scent and are attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Lantana is a hardy plant that can tolerate a range of soil types, including slightly acidic soil. It does well in gardens and landscaping in warmer climates.

However, it is also considered invasive in some areas, as it can easily spread and crowd out native plant species. So check if it’s invasive in your area before you plant it.

Red Flowering Shrubs Buyer’s Guide

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Here are a few things to keep in mind as you decide which red flowering shrub would be best for your garden.

Season of interest

One of the most important things you need to think about when you’re looking for a flowering shrub is what season you want it to display its blooms. Do you want it to work in perfect harmony with other plants? Or would you prefer it to stand out all by itself?

Summer-flowering shrubs will add a pop of color to your existing garden. However, when the colder months kick in, the blooms will have fallen, and the shrub won’t give you any winter interest.

If you would like some winter color as well, choose a red blooming shrub that will give you a showy display throughout fall into winter. This will add color to your garden when most other plants have finished blooming for the year. Camellias are one of these that will bloom in different colors: from deep red flowers to light pink flowers. The dark green leaves provide a nice contrast for this showy shrub.

Give some thought to foliage when considering the season of interest as well. Evergreen shrubs will give you year-round interest and provide structure even when they’ve finished blooming.

Deciduous shrubs will be bare over winter, but will often put on a glorious display of autumnal shades before they lose their leaves.

Color

Red is one of those colors that comes in so many different shades that it’s almost impossible to list them all. Some are extremely bright and vibrant, while others are a little more muted and almost dark in color.

Make sure the colors in your garden mix well with the shade of red you want to introduce. If you’re after a really dazzling pop of color, then a flowering shrub that produces scarlet or crimson flowers would be best (I have some examples below).

However, if you’re looking for jewel tones to match seamlessly with purples and oranges, deeper shades of red, such as maroon and burgundy, would be perfect for your planting scheme.

Fragrance

You might also want to think about getting a red flowering shrub that produces fragrant blooms, as this can add an extra layer of interest to the plant.

Flowering shrubs that produce a delicate scent would be best placed near a seating area, where you can enjoy the floral fragrance as you relax and unwind on a sunny day. Consider red roses (red knockout roses are my favorites!), oleander, rhododendron, and viburnum, to name a few.

Some shrubs produce flowers that are very heavily scented, and these are a good choice for incorporating into your borders as the wind will carry their delicious fragrance through the air and all around your garden.

Position

Where you place your red shrubs in your garden is important. Spend some time monitoring the sunlight in your garden. Any area that gets more than 8 hours of full sun exposure a day will be perfect for a flowering shrub that needs to be planted in full sun.

Likewise, a flowering shrub that prefers shadier conditions will only thrive when placed in an area getting less than 4 hours of sunlight. When you keep the shrub’s preferences in mind, it will reward you with a display of its glorious red blooms in return.

Space

Some flowering shrubs can grow up to 20 feet, so it’s super important to make sure that the area you’re thinking about planting one into has enough space to allow the shrub to grow.

These tall flowering shrubs can steal nutrients from surrounding plants as they grow. They’ll also throw shade on smaller plants placed underneath.

So give some thought to the needs of all the plants in the area. Make sure the shrub you choose doesn’t have a detrimental effect on any existing plants that are part of your landscape.

Maintenance

Finally, think about the amount of maintenance your chosen flowering shrub will need as it grows and matures over the years.

Some will need annual pruning to encourage strong growth. You’ll need to make sure that any dead or diseased branches are removed in order for the plant to grow healthy and strong.

Others don’t need any maintenance at all, and can simply be planted and forgotten about.

It’s all about how much time and effort you’re willing to put into caring for the shrub once it’s planted. If you’re super busy, then a low-maintenance flowering shrub may be the best choice.

Likewise, if you’re particularly green-fingered and enjoy spending time in your garden, you may get some pleasure from caring for a shrub that needs a little care and attention every now and again.

More Shrubs with Beautiful Red Flowers

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Here are a few more ideas of shrubs (by both common names and scientific names):

• royal red butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)
• rose of Sharon (hibiscus syriacus)
• crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) – if you want deep red blooms, try red dynamite or red rocket myrtles
• Crimson bottlebrush (callistemon citrinus)
• grateful red hydrangea (H. macrophylla McKRed)
• bee balm (Monarda)
• little John buttlebrush (Callistemon viminalis) – it attracts hummingbirds and bees

Read more:

11 Vibrant Perennial Red Flowers Everyone Should Plant

Want More Hummingbirds? Plant These Stunning Red Flowers

Got some pine trees in your yard, and don’t exactly know what will or won’t grow underneath? Here’s a quick list of plants that grow well under pine trees.

Finding plants that do well under pine trees can be a bit more difficult because you need to find ones that don’t need a ton of sunlight and can do well with the type of soil surrounding the base of the pine trees.

If you want to have plants surrounding the pine tree trunk, here are some options of plants that can grow under pine trees.

Plants That Grow Well Under Pine Trees

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To have the best chance of plants surviving and growing under your pine tree, you need to find acidic plants that can thrive in shade and drier soil. Here are some perennials that tend to be a good choice to use under pine trees.

1. Columbines

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Gorgeous flowers that aren’t fussy, columbines thrive under pine trees. Hummingbirds love them, and deer and rabbits will avoid them. Perfect!

Want some columbines? Buy and plant roots for faster growth.

2. Rhododendron

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Rhododendrons come in so many colors! plant a bunch of them in the same color, or mix and match for a showy look.

3. Lily of the Valley

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These delicate flowers will spread under your pine trees, creating a lush, deliciously scented carpet. While lily of the valley is the most popular, you can add some of the rarer ones that come in pink, red, yellow, or orange.

4. Wild Geraniums (cranesbill)

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Wild geraniums, also known as cranesbill, thrive under pine trees. Once established, they need very little care and will bring joy with their pretty blooms.

5. Jacob’s ladder

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Jacobs ladder needs to be grown in a partial-shade or shady area, out of direct sunlight. Once the roots take hold in the soil, this plant can actually grow anywhere up to 3 feet high.

It does well in a variety of types of soils and tends not to be affected by local wildlife either. After planting, there isn’t a lot of maintenance that needs to happen, except for the occasional trim here and there.

6. Sweet Woodruff

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Spreading by runners, Sweet Woodruff makes a beautiful ground cover around the base of pine trees. Their leaves also give off a sweet scent, making them quite pleasant to sniff.

Once planted, there is minimal work on your part that has to be done. They are one of the easier plants that tend to take care of themselves quite well.

7. Hydrangeas

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Hydrangeas will turn gorgeous colors of blue when planted in acidic soil. As long as there’s some sunshine filtering through your pine trees, they’d make a great perennial for under your trees.

Ground Covers for Acidic Soil- 8. Creeping Phlox

Image credit: Backyard Garden Lover.

Sometimes, the best way to deal with a problem area in your garden is to find a ground cover that will work in that spot.

Creeping phlox comes in many shades of pink and purple and spreads easily. Beautiful color in the spring, and then green the rest of the year.

9. Bearberry Plants

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Technically a small shrub, bearberry plants tend to do well when planted near or around pine trees.

For its best growth potential, full sun is preferred, but this plant can also grow well in partial shade.

Bearberry plants do not do well in hot climates and will actually attract quite a bit of wildlife due to its growth of berries.

If you are searching for plants that grow well under pine trees, the options listed above should work quite well!

Remember that your local greenhouse can give you help with plants that grow in your area. Don’t hesitate to enlist their help if you have questions.

Start by planting one option and see how it does. If it takes and really starts to grow, then you won’t have to worry about planting any more!

Read more:

11 Cool Facts About Tree Roots and All They Do

10 Trees That Retain Their Beauty All Winter Long

We’ve all heard of the goose that laid the golden egg, but what about chickens that lay pink eggs? No, they’re not pre-dying Easter eggs or hosting a gender reveal party. The truth is that chicken eggs actually come in many shades of white, cream, dark brown, green, blue, and pink. What turns an egg pink, and are they safe to eat?

Let’s explore the top 5 facts about chickens that lay pink eggs and then answer some of the most frequently asked questions about these pink egg layers and their colorful eggs.

5 Facts About Pink Egg Layers

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1. It takes a little more than a full 24-hour day for a chicken to produce an egg, and 20 of those hours are spent forming the shell of the egg.
2. Since shells are made mainly of calcium, all eggshells start out white. Pink eggs are believed to be the result of what is called “bloom” which is naturally applied over a light tan egg during its formation.
3. As the white shell forms inside the hen, pigmentation starts to be secreted from cells in the hen’s uterus. This pigmentation is known as protoporphyrins or biological pigments. Depending on the tint or shade of the porphyrin, the pigment will form at different stages of shell production, which is why most eggs remain white on the inside.
4. What we call pink eggs may be more of a pinkish-cream color or pale brown. Some chicken owners report that their pink eggs will turn brown when they wash them with water but return to pink as they dry.
5. The breed of chicken matters, but no one breed assures pink eggs. It ultimately boils down to the individual variation within that breed. Chickens that lay olive, blue, or dark brown eggs bred with one that lays cream-colored eggs may produce a pink egg layer or at least an egg that resembles pink. Those who lay cream-colored eggs may also have a genetic variation to tint their eggs pink.

Want some green egg layers? It’s fun to get a bunch of different colored eggs!

Learn everything you need to know about chickens from this book.

11 Breeds of chicken that lay pink eggs

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Pink egg layers are quite rare and come from many different breeds of chickens. The breeds of chickens below will lay pink eggs, but it’s not the norm. It all depends on the variations within the breeds, having a genetic variation that gives them the pink color.

No one breed can guarantee a pink egg layer, but olive eggers, blue egg layers, or dark brown egg-laying chickens bred with a creamy-colored egg layer could create a chicken that lays an egg in a pink shade.

1. Asil

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While the Asil may be known to lay pink eggs, they don’t tend to lay very many eggs at about 40 eggs per year.

A few other things to know about this breed: they’re aggressive with each other but not humans! Aggression is an issue especially when they’re confined, so it’s important to have plenty of space for them.

They can be easily handled because they are quite docile around people. The hens make very good mothers who tend to be kind and protective towards their chicks.

2. Some Australorps

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Not all Australorps lay pink eggs, but some do. They are very family-friendly and are pretty with their glossy black color with red combs and wattles on the hens and the roosters. This breed is extremely productive in laying eggs.

Australorps lay between 250 and 300 large, light brown eggs every year. Australorps are popular in Australia.

3. Barred Rock

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The Barred Rock breed are good layer, averaging about 280 eggs each year. The breed is used both for egg layers and for meat. They have dark reddish bay eyes, yellow beaks, and red earlobes. They tend to be very mellow.

They normally lay brown eggs, but occasionally, some will lay pink eggs.

4. Buff Orpington

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This beautifully feathered, plump, and stately hen will casually strut around the chicken yard as if she owns the place. They come in a few varieties of colors ranging from buff, black, white, or blue, and in two sizes, large fowl and bantams. They have red wattles, combs, and earlobes.

This breed is friendly and docile even loving to be cuddled and great with children. The Buff Orpington tends to lay about 200 to 280 eggs per year.

5. Croad Langshan

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This breed is one of the oldest breeds and has long, silky black or white feathers. They tend to be very gentle and calm but heavy and sometimes accidentally trample their eggs.

They lay about 180 to 240 eggs per year. Most eggs are buff or brownish and large, though some lay eggs with a pink bloom.

6. Some Easter Eggers

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Also referred to as EE, the Easter Egger is not an official breed but rather a mix of either an Araucana or an Ameraucana, both difficult to find in America, bred with any other breed. ‘

Their eggs tend to be large and colorful, ranging from blue to green, olive, aqua, yellow, and sometimes with a pink hue.

They tend to be friendly to humans, including children, and are hardy. They have beautiful feathers in a variety of patterns. Some even have green feet or legs. The EE is a good egg layer and will produce about 250 eggs per year.

7. Light Sussex

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This breed comes in a variety of colored plumage with light or red and speckled ones in the United States. The Light Sussex is a very loved and endearing breed. They are extremely docile yet very alert to their surroundings.

They lay about 250 light pinkish-tan or brown eggs per year.

8. Mottled Javas

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No, they’re not a coffee drink. This rare breed gets its name from the island of Java, where it is thought to have originated. They have a striking red eye color contrasted against their four varieties of either black feathers, mottled, white, or auburn.

Mottled Java chickens make great free-range chickens, are hardy yet calm, and are excellent foragers. Their eggs are usually considered to be brown, but some look pinkish. They produce about 150 per year.

9. Plymouth Rock

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As the name hints, this is one of America’s oldest breeds with black and white plumage. They lay about 200 large brown eggs per year. Some lay very light tan eggs that look pink with the bloom.

The Plymouth Rock chickens are extremely mellow, sweet, and calm docile birds but are constantly curious. They are also very trusting. So, be prepared for them to follow you around.

10. Salmon Faverolles

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Their feathers are a honey salmon color, and they have a pinkish beak with reddish eyes and an adorable beard. They come from a small village in France where they get their name.

The Faverolle chicken tends to be enthusiastic, curious, and noisy, yet they are friendly. Expect around 180 to 200 light brown or pinkish eggs each year.

11. Silkies

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Silkies make excellent mother hens, good layers, and are super easy to care for. They take well to free-range environments and are hardy, with black or dark blue skin and blue earlobes.

When not being used for breeding and sitting to hatch, they lay about 100 eggs per year. Their pink eggs tend to be small and not very brightly colored, but they do have a pink tint.

FAQs About Chickens That Lay Pink Eggs

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Does the rooster determine egg color?

Having a rooster in with a laying hen does not affect the egg color. But breeding could. Some breeds are more likely to produce pink eggs than others.

Is there a way to predict egg color?

Some say you can predict the egg color by looking at the chicken’s earlobe color. Of course, some chickens have red earlobes, and none make red eggs, so you be the judge.

Do pink eggs taste different?

No. There is no difference in the way different colored eggs taste. Nor is the nutrition different. While some egg buyers insist that brown eggs taste better, it’s probably just their imagination.

Are pink eggs safe to eat?

Absolutely! We have it drilled into our heads that chicken meat is unsafe unless the juices run clear with no pink. However, the color of a chicken egg does not make it unsafe to eat, even if it’s pink.

Colorful flowers make your yard pop as nothing else can. They are like the finishing touches of the artist’s brush that bring the canvas of your yard to life. There are so many beautiful flowers, vegetables, and other plants to choose from! Let’s explore some of them today.

Before heading out to the garden center to start your shopping, I will show you some colorful flowers for each season and different standard colors to help you understand what you like and want in your landscape.

You don’t have to work too hard to get the beauty you want in your garden. Mother Nature has done most of the work for us already! All you need to do is think about what colors of nature you want to experience in your backyard and, of course, in your front yard.

If you’re looking for some indoor choices, growing succulents is fun and probably the easiest!

Flower Considerations

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When planting flowers, consider the bright spots of color for your yard and the flower arrangements inside. You can enjoy lovely vases of colorful flowers from spring to fall with seasonal accents, with some planning.

Some flowers make better cut flowers, so planning before you plant can be helpful if you know you plan on doing that. Some flowers thrive in partial shade, those that love to drink up the full sun all day, and everything in between.

Colorful Spring Flowers

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Let’s take a look at some beautiful colored flowers that bloom in spring for some excellent spring color:

• Tulips
• Crocus
• Hyacinths
• Primrose
• Daffodils
• Pansies

Late spring blooms like oriental poppies, salvia, peonies, and clematis are also great examples.

Colorful Summer Flowers

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And now, let’s look at some colorful summer flowers that bloom from early to late summer and in full sun to full or partial shade.

• Fuchsia
• Angelonia
• Rose of Sharon
• Limelight Hydrangeas
• Yarrow
• Purple Wave Petunia
• Profusion Zinnias
• Evergreen Candytuft
• Sea Holly
• Globe Amaranth

There are so many vivid colors in summer-blooming flowers. These are just a few to get you started, but it’s not an exhaustive list.

Colorful Fall Flowers

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Here are some beautiful flowers that bloom in the fall:

• Croton
• Balloon Flowers
• Celosia
• Cornflower
• Chrysanthemum (“mums”)
• Amaranthus
• Cosmos
• Hardy Fuchsia
• Canna
• Sumac
• Goldenrod
• Sunflowers

Fall flower colors can also be excellent in your garden and around your landscaping.

Colorful Winter Plants

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Winter isn’t all dead and gone. You can still enjoy colorful winter plants in your garden or landscape. Here are some to consider:

• Camellias
• Winter Jasmine
• Winterberry Holly
• Native Serviceberry
• Holly Bush
• Scilla
• Japanese Quince
• Winter Aconites
• Pansies
• Mahonia
• Snowdrops
• Crocus
• Helleborus
• Clematis
• Daphne
• Cyclamen

Single Color Garden Flowers (First, Red Flowers)

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Sometimes, all you want is a massive pop of color in your garden. That’s alright. Let’s look at some ideas for single-color gardens. First up, red.

A garden with red flowers in different shades can add a bit of drama and energy to your front yard (plus, hummingbirds love them). You’ll turn a lot of heads with the vibrancy of red. Various colors fall on the red spectrum, and this range of colors can also include shades of pink. Some stunning flowers fall in this category.

A gorgeous combination of different shades of red flowers makes a lovely combination that pleases the senses.

Here are more ideas for red flowers:

• 5 red perennials for shade gardens
• 10 gorgeous red flowering trees
• Red blooming shrubs

Let’s look at some red flower favorites.

1. Peonies (Paeonia)

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Peonies are always stunning! They’re so vibrant they seem to be more of a magenta pink. Mixed in your red garden, they will please the eyes as well as the nose.

2. Poppies (Papaver)

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These delicate flowers bring a pop of color wherever they show up. I have some by my mailbox that come back year after year. They make me so happy every time a new one blooms!

3. Red Daisies (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

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Easy to grow, these button-like flowers are adorable! They have an adorable yellow center that makes the whole flower stand out. These will also look lovely in a flower bouquet or a cut flower arrangement.

4. Lilies (Lilium philadelphicum)

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A few stunning red lilies added to your flower beds will steal the show in your red garden or as a focal point plant in a garden with other colors. The red lily will truly pop.

Some of these red flowers can also be in different shades. Violet flowers are common, for example. A wide variety of colors on the spectrum can be found in some species. Let’s take a look at blue flowers next.

Next, Blue Flowers- 5. Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari)

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All colors are beautiful in flowers, but there’s something special about blue flowers: they can electrify your flower beds!

Stunning clusters of pretty blue flowers will make you smile whenever you walk by. Can you picture these in your garden or greeting your front path?

6. Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus africanus)

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I love this delicate flower: the perfect companion to yellow, red, or white flowers. It likes full sun areas, moist but well-draining soil, and average watering. It’s a very low-maintenance plant.

7. Balkan Anemone (Anemone blanda)

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This vibrant blue flower is so precious! A star in any garden will contrast with any other flower, creating an exciting dynamic. I love the striking shade of blue and the pretty yellows in the center.

8. Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

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Dainty bell-shaped blue flowers that bloom in the spring will surely catch your eye. I remember a forest full of these lovely flowers from my childhood. So pretty!

9. Blue Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko’)

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I’m so intrigued with hydrangeas: I love how you can change their colors by soil composition. This blue hydrangea has such an intense and vivid color! It’s breathtaking.

Check out these hydrangea companion plants.

10. Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

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This adorable flower pops up in the most unexpected places and beautifies wherever it grows. Cornflower is easy to care for and has a unique and lovely appearance. Different types of cornflowers can be of different colors.

Next, look at some beautiful yellow flowers you may want in your garden or landscape.

Yellow Flowers- 11. Yellow gladiolus (Gladiolus)

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Stunning yellow-orange gladiolus: one of my favorite flowers! Here’s a guide to growing gladiolus.

12. Yellow lilies (Lilium)

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These cute yellow lilies will brighten any garden! A mix of the red lilies above and these yellow ones would be a head turner for sure.

13. Buttercups (Ranunculus)

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Pretty buttercups: they come into my yard on their own. So bright and cheery! They can be a great ground cover instead of grass or between other plants/flowers. Keep in mind, these are poisonous to animals and humans!

14. Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana)

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Coming in so many colors, pansies are easy to grow and very enjoyable. These yellow pansies are like little bright eyes greeting you from the flower beds.

15. Daffodils (Narcissus)

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Gorgeous daffodils announce spring is here. These are known for their classic yellow color and unique shape. Once you see daffodils, you will always be able to recognize them.

Pink Flowers- 16. Bleeding heart (Dicentra)

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Dainty and delicate, these bleeding heart flowers will make you smile. This is one of the most unique and exciting pink plants that hummingbirds love.

17. Pink Roses

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Roses are an excellent romantic addition to the garden. Pink roses are gorgeous, and most smell delicious! Add roses to your front yard. They can be a variety of shades of pink, from light pink with shades of white to deep pink that looks almost violet. Sometimes you can even get different shades of pink in the same rose.

If you love roses, check out these other guides about growing roses:

• Tips for a stunning rose flower garden
• 22 must-have rose flowers
• 11 companions for roses

18. Pink Tulips

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Tulips are such adorable spring flowers! There are lots of pink shades of tulips, and I love them all. Who doesn’t?

19. Camellias

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Camellias are just so pretty. I love how soft and feminine they appear. They remind me of a rose, but with more subtle beauty. Here are some tips for growing camellias.

Purple Flowers- 20. Lavender

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Lavender is one of the most well-known purple flowers. And there are more benefits than just their gorgeous appearance. Bees love lavender flowers! You will, too, when you see how easy it is to grow lavender and how good it smells.

Did you know that there are different types of lavender? The most common has pale purple blooms, but other lavenders have deep purple, pink, blue, or white flowers. Learn more about lavender flower colors.

Lavender is an easy-to-grow perennial with lovely fragrant flowers that attract pollinators and beneficial insects. It can be beautiful most of the summer, with some varieties blooming twice. Learn more about lavender with these other guides:

• The best potting soil for lavender
• Best places to buy lavender plants
• A guide to growing lavender from cuttings

Colorful Flowers For Your Garden

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As pretty as focusing on one color in your garden can be, most people will want to combine different colors. A red, white, and blue theme garden looks stunning around the Fourth of July. Soft pinks, reds, and purples create a very feminine look.

You could also choose to plant a random mixture. Buying wildflower seed packets containing many different kinds of flowers in vibrant colors is an excellent way to add color to your backyard if you’ve felt it’s boring. Don’t worry about it all matching. These mixtures always look great.

You can get as in-depth with choosing different colors for your garden as you want. Some people will get into it, making sure each color combination evokes a specific emotion or feeling.

You can head to your local florist if you’re at a loss for color combination ideas. They are masters at knowing which flowers and colors to put together. Take a step back at the offerings and see if anything stands out.

Another idea is to visit the neighbor’s yard. If someone else has a “greener” thumb than you do, they might be a great resource to turn to when you need help deciding on the best colors for your garden.

Colorful Foliage For Your Garden- 21. Elephant Ears (Caladium)

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Many people like to focus on the different greens that are out there. Even though green is a single color, there are various shades and hues of green. Dark green can look gorgeous when mixed with lighter shades.

Caladiums are great for shady garden beds or containers. They look gorgeous from early summer until frost.

22. Coral Bells (Heuchera)

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Heuchera is a beautiful addition to any garden. With leaves in several colors, from purples to silver, red, bronze, and speckled, they make a gorgeous spectacle in your garden. And when it blooms, its small bell-shaped flowers are just an extra delight.

23. Plantain Lilies (Hosta plantaginea)

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Shade-loving perennials, hostas, will brighten even the most boring spot with their gorgeous foliage. There is a lot of color in these leaves, and the flowers are pretty, too!

Hostas are perfect for rock gardens.

24. Coleus (Solenostemon Redhead)

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Easy to grow, Coleus comes in many colors, both solid and mixed. Ensure you water them well during dry times: they need their water!

25. Bengal Tiger Canna (Canna americanallis var. variegata)

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These tropical plants are stunning! Growing in green, bronze, black, variegated, or striped foliage, their flowers come in many colors: pink, orange, yellow, red, and even bi-color.

Colorful Vegetable Gardens- 26. Tomato plants

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Don’t forget that vegetables add color too! When growing vegetables, your first thought probably isn’t about which colors look best, but you can consciously combine the best-looking vegetables to create a dramatic effect in your yard.

Tomatoes are among the first to come to mind when I think about colorful garden foods. Grow the best tomatoes with these tips for growing tomatoes.

27. Zucchini Plants

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Everyone can grow zucchini! We always have extras for family, friends, and neighbors. And after we give it to everyone, we freeze some for later.

Colorful Fruit Gardens- 28. Strawberries

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Strawberries add a lovely pop of color, as any berry plant would (blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, etc.)

Want more ideas? Look at our full lists below.

Exotic Colorful Flowers

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When you want something outside of the norm, you might consider some exotic, colorful flowers. Of course, you’ll need to be sure they can survive in your climate, but here are some examples:

• Plumeria
• Blue Passion Flower
• Salvia Splendens
• Heliconia
• Lily of the Valley
• Bird of Paradise
• Lotus Flower
• Amaryllis
• Protea
• Anthurium

Any of these could make a popular choice in your exotic garden.

Bright Colorful Flowers

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Here are some of the brightest, colorful flowers you might consider for your garden:

• Dahlias
• Sunflower
• Mint Julep
• Red Anemone
• Viola
• Dracula Celosia
• French Marigold
• Sweet Pea
• VIBE Ignition Purple
• Jolt Pink Dianthus
• Sedum
• Lamium
• Very Berry Creeping Wintergreen
• Bee Balm
• Coralbells
• Nubia Clematis

Colorful Perennial Flowers

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Here are some beautiful perennial plants that will brighten up your yard for the season and then return again and again.

• Black-Eyed Susan
• Amsonia
• Peony
• Astrantia
• Baptisia
• Foxglove
• Salvia
• Sedum
• Coneflower
• Lavender
• Daylily
• Hellebore
• Aster
• Catmint
• Penstemon

Colorful Annual Flowers

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These beautiful annual flowers will give you bright colors all year long.

• Angelonia
• Begonia
• Cosmos
• Celosia
• Geraniums
• Stock
• Chrysanthemum
• Vinca
• Zinnia
• Calendula
• Cornflower
• Dahlias
• Nasturtium
• Impatiens

Small Colorful Flowers

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Sometimes you want some color in the garden but you want smaller flowers. Here are some to consider:

• Baby’s Breath
• Forget-Me-Not
• Fairy Foxglove
• Lobelia
• Snow-in-Summer
• Rock Cress
• Kenilworth Ivy
• Sweet Alyssum
• Thyme

Now, what if you want to go big with your flowers?

Large Colorful Flowers

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Some large colorful flowers with big, beautiful blooms include:

• Giant White Moonflower
• Titan Sunflower
• Kelvin Floodlight Dahlia
• Supernova Angel’s Trumpet
• Big Brother Lily
• Big Daddy Hydrangea
• Round and Purple Allium
• Moy Grande Hibiscus
• Fireworks Clematis
• Altas Magnolia
• Tree Peony
• Oriental Poppy

As you can see, there is no shortage of beautiful, colorful flowers for your garden. These gorgeous flowers will help create a unique garden or home landscape design. You can create a rainbow of colors that will bring you much joy day in and day out for a long time.

You’re missing out if you don’t have shrubs around your home. Shrubs can add color, fragrance, and even protection from unwanted attention.

Shrubs can create interesting patterns and designs that please the eye. Picking the right spot for the right shrub can make or break your curb appeal.

There are two varieties of shrubs:

• Angiosperms are flowering shrubs
• Gymnosperms are non-flowering shrubs

While flowering shrubs can wow you with the color of their blooms and sometimes with a beautiful scent, non-flowering shrubs also have a lot of beauty.

With foliage ranging in color from pale to dark green, striped, sporting pinks, blues, and purples, landscaping shrubs allow you to create a work of art in your front yard (backyard, too!) Here are 15 ideas for landscaping with shrubs to boost your curb appeal.

1. Bursting Heart Burning Bush (Euonymus americanus)

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Also called strawberry bush, this native shrub typically grows up to 6 feet tall and about 3–4 feet wide, making it a manageable yet eye-catching addition to the landscape. In spring, it produces small yellow-green flowers that develop into unique, warty-looking capsules often likened to strawberries which split open to reveal bright red seeds in fall. Its green foliage turns a brilliant crimson red in autumn, adding vibrant seasonal color.

Strawberry bush thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, making it a great choice for shaded foundation plantings or woodland borders. Its compact size and multi-season interest make it ideal for boosting curb appeal, especially in naturalistic or native-inspired front yard designs.

2. Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)

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Forsythias love full sun and is among the first shrubs to bloom in early spring, often before their leaves even emerge. Their bright yellow flowers cover the bare branches in a cheerful display, providing a burst of color and life after the gray winter months a true sign that spring has arrived.

These fast-growing shrubs can reach 6 to 10 feet tall and wide, making them perfect for property borders, hedges, or large foundation plantings. Forsythias prefer well-drained soil and benefit from a light pruning right after flowering to maintain their natural arching shape.

When planted near the front of the home, forsythias offer instant curb appeal with their golden blooms, especially when massed or used to flank a walkway. Their dramatic early color draws attention and sets a vibrant tone for the rest of the landscape to come.

3. Knockout Roses (Rosa radrazz)

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These Knock Out roses are a favorite for good reason they’re low maintenance, disease-resistant, and bloom continuously from spring through fall. Available in a wide range of colors, including soft pink, coral, bright red, and even yellow, they add vibrant, long-lasting color to any landscape.

One of their standout features is that they’re self-cleaning, meaning you don’t need to deadhead spent blooms to keep them looking tidy and blooming strong. Just plant them and enjoy the show with minimal upkeep.

Knock Out roses grow about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, making them perfect for foundation beds, borders, or grouped in mass plantings. Their compact size and lush, repeated blooms make a bold impact near front porches, along walkways, or anywhere you want to boost curb appeal with color and structure.

Check out these ideas for landscaping with knockout roses.

4. Lilac (Syringa)

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One of the most carefree and beloved spring-flowering shrubs, lilacs not only deliver stunning visual impact, but also fill the air with a sweet, nostalgic fragrance that signals spring is in full swing. Their classic charm and scent make them a timeless favorite in any landscape.

Lilacs come in a variety of bloom colors from pale lavender to deep purple, red-violet, and even crisp white so you can match them to your home’s exterior or your personal style. You can also choose between single or double blooms, depending on the look you love.

These shrubs thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and many varieties grow between 6 to 12 feet tall, making them great for privacy screens, property lines, or as a flowering backdrop. Dwarf and reblooming types are also available for smaller yards or front garden beds.

Lilacs make a big impression near entryways, driveways, or fences, where their beautiful blooms and signature scent can be appreciated up close. Their classic look adds elegance and cottage-style charm, instantly enhancing curb appeal in the spring landscape.

5. Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

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Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a hardy, multi-season shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall and wide, making it a great choice for foundation plantings, mixed borders, or naturalized areas. In spring, it produces clusters of delicate white flowers, which give way to glossy black berries in late summer, beloved by birds and beneficial pollinators alike.

Its dark green foliage provides a lush backdrop through the growing season, then transforms into brilliant shades of orange, red, and deep purple in fall, adding a fiery touch to your autumn landscape. This dramatic seasonal color shift makes it a standout for curb appeal, especially when planted in groups or along pathways.

Black chokeberry is also low-maintenance, drought-tolerant once established, and deer-resistant, thriving in full sun to part shade and a variety of soil types, including wet or poorly drained areas.

6. Compacta Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’)

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The burning bush is a striking deciduous shrub known for its brilliant fall foliage. Growing between 8 and 10 feet tall, it has a dense, rounded shape that makes it ideal for hedges, screens, or bold accent plantings. While its foliage remains medium green through spring and summer, it’s the crimson red transformation in autumn that truly steals the show, earning it its fiery name.

In addition to its fall color, burning bush can produce small, inconspicuous reddish flowers in spring, followed by tiny red-orange berries in the fall that add further seasonal interest. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, although it’s highly adaptable and relatively low-maintenance once established.

When used in the front yard, burning bush makes a dramatic statement that can instantly elevate curb appeal, especially when planted in a row or flanking entryways. Its intense color contrast in autumn draws the eye and adds structure to your landscape year-round.

Note: Burning bush is considered invasive in some regions, so be sure to check local guidelines or opt for non-invasive alternatives or sterile cultivars where needed.

7. Common Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

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Witch hazel is a unique, multi-season shrub that grows between 8 to 12 feet tall, with a graceful, spreading form that adds character and texture to the landscape. Its most remarkable feature is its fragrant yellow flowers, which bloom in late fall or winter, often when little else is flowering, bringing unexpected brightness to the cold season.

During the growing season, witch hazel’s green leaves provide a lush, full backdrop, then turn a golden yellow in autumn, complementing its spidery blooms and adding even more visual interest. This long-lasting color makes it a valuable addition to foundation beds, borders, or woodland edges, where it can shine through multiple seasons.

Witch hazel thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, but it’s also adaptable and relatively low-maintenance. Its off-season blooms and glowing fall foliage make it a fantastic shrub for boosting curb appeal with something truly unexpected and eye-catching.

8. Redleaf Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea)

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This compact shrub offers a big impact in a smaller package, making it perfect for front beds, borders, or small-space gardens. Its vibrant red foliage adds bold color throughout the growing season, gradually deepening to a rich purple-red in autumn for a dramatic fall display. In April, it produces small yellow flowers that contrast beautifully with its colorful leaves, adding a delicate yet eye-catching spring accent.

Depending on the variety, this shrub typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wide, making it easy to tuck into tighter spaces or use in mass plantings for color and texture. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it’s also low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.

Its compact size, striking foliage, and multi-season interest make it an excellent choice for curb appeal, especially when planted in front yards, along walkways, or mixed with evergreens for contrast.

9. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

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Rosemary is a fragrant Mediterranean shrub that brings both beauty and function to the landscape. Growing up to 5 feet tall and wide, it features needle-like green foliage that stays evergreen in mild climates, offering year-round color and texture. In spring and sometimes again in late summer, rosemary blooms with delicate white, pink, or pale blue flowers that attract pollinators and add a soft touch of color.

Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, rosemary is drought-tolerant once established and perfect for low-maintenance, water-wise landscapes. Its tidy, upright form makes it an excellent choice for foundation plantings, herb gardens, borders, or even clipped into informal hedges.

When placed near walkways or entry points, rosemary does double duty: it boosts curb appeal with its textured greenery and subtle flowers while also offering a pleasant scent and edible leaves for cooking.

Here are 10 ways to use rosemary flowers.

10. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja)

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This tropical beauty can grow up to 6 feet tall, making it a striking addition to gardens that embrace bold, lush foliage and vibrant color. It produces showy violet blooms that add a splash of tropical elegance and attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds.

Thriving in warm climates with plenty of sunlight, this plant prefers well-drained, moist soil and benefits from regular watering during the growing season. Its height and colorful flowers make it perfect for use as a standalone specimen, a dramatic backdrop in mixed borders, or a focal point near patios and entryways.

By adding this plant to your landscape, you introduce a tropical flair that instantly elevates curb appeal, especially in regions where its exotic flowers can contrast beautifully with native greenery.

11. Variegated Yucca (Yucca gloriosa ‘Variegata’)

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This yucca plant grows up to 3 feet tall and is prized for its striking, creamy white bell-shaped flowers that rise above spiky, architectural foliage. Its bold, sculptural form adds texture and visual interest to any garden design.

Highly deer and rabbit-resistant, yucca is an excellent choice for gardens in areas where wildlife browsing is a concern. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant option for xeriscaping or rock gardens.

With its dramatic silhouette and elegant blooms, this yucca can serve as a standout accent plant or be grouped for a modern, desert-inspired landscape that boosts curb appeal with minimal upkeep.

12. Azalea (Rhododendron)

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Azalea is a charming, small shrub known for its showy blooms that brighten gardens in white, pink, red, and occasionally yellow shades. Typically growing between 3 to 6 feet tall, azaleas make a beautiful addition to foundation plantings, borders, or shaded garden beds.

These shrubs thrive in partial shade with well-drained, acidic soil and benefit from regular watering during dry periods. Their dense foliage provides a lush backdrop that showcases their vibrant flowers in spring, creating a stunning burst of color that instantly enhances curb appeal.

Azaleas are versatile in design use them as mass plantings for a cottage-style look, as colorful accents along walkways, or even in containers for patios. Their springtime blooms bring a welcoming, cheerful atmosphere to any outdoor space.

13. Western Arborvitae (Thuja)

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One of the most popular non-flowering shrubs, thuja (also known as arborvitae), is prized for its easy maintenance and versatile use in landscaping. With its dense, evergreen foliage and naturally pyramidal shape, thuja is often used to create neat, attractive edging, hedges, and privacy screens.

Thriving in full sun to partial shade and adaptable to a wide range of soil types, thuja grows steadily and requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape. Its year-round greenery adds structure and definition to gardens and yards, providing a classic backdrop that complements flowering plants and seasonal color.

Because of its low upkeep and tidy appearance, thuja is a go-to choice for homeowners looking to boost curb appeal with clean lines and lasting greenery.

Here are the best companion plants for arbovitae.

14. Hortensia (Hydrangea)

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Hydrangeas are a homeowner’s favorite, featuring big, showy flowers in a variety of colors, from pink to blue, purple, white, and light greens, depending on the variety you planted.

If you’d like to learn more about growing hydrangeas on your property, take a look at these quick guides:

• The 6 most popular hydrangeas
• What to plant with hydrangeas

15. Japanese Spindle (Euonymus Japonicus)

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With its drought-tolerant nature and stunning multicolored foliage, this shrub is an excellent choice for creating vibrant hedges or borders. Its leaves often showcase a rich blend of colors ranging from deep greens to fiery reds, purples, or golden hues providing year-round visual interest.

Thriving in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, this shrub requires minimal maintenance once established. Its combination of durability and dynamic color makes it perfect for adding texture and life to your landscape while boosting curb appeal with a splash of natural artistry.

How to Care for Your Landscaping Shrubs

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As with any other new plant, you need to give them extra attention after planting your shrubs. Ensure you water them regularly, fertilize them as needed, and trim them before they grow weirdly.

Occasionally, you might need to part with one of your shrubs. Don’t delay if you see disease cropping up, or you’ll lose more than one sick shrub. If you keep a good eye on your shrubs, you might be able to see and act on an insect infestation. If possible, use natural insecticides and fertilizers.

Shrubs should have enough space between them. Every plant requires a minimum specified area. When arranged in rows like hedgerows, shrubs give a good impression.

Check the soil before planting shrubs to ensure you have the right soil for your shrub. You don’t want an acidic soil for a non-acidic plant.

People turn to gardening for peace of mind, a sense of purpose, and the simple joy of harvesting something they grew themselves. But for many, gardening goes beyond a hobby, it’s a way to build resilience and self-reliance.

Whether you’re preparing for uncertain times or just aiming to grow more of your own food on a tight budget, survival gardening offers a practical, empowering solution. Here’s a look at some of the best survival garden plants to help you feed your family now—and in the future.

Potatoes

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Potatoes are very hardy and provide both proteins and carbohydrates. They can be grown in many soil conditions and provide more carbohydrates per square foot than any other common vegetable.

Check out these tips for growing potatoes.

Corn

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Corn is easy to grow and harvest. You can also make cornmeal for staples like tortillas or polenta from it. This crop is very rich in vitamins B1, B5, and C. It also has manganese and phosphorus. It grows in warm weather and stores well for the winter.

Beans

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Beans or other legumes, such as lentils and peas, are a great choice for your survival garden. They are high in protein, very nutritious, and very easy to grow. Different types of beans and legumes do well in different climates, so do some research to choose the best ones for you.

Squash

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Squash contains carbohydrates, Vitamins C and A, and antioxidants. Winter squash (butternut, spaghetti squash, sugar pumpkin, etc.) can be stored for up to 6 months in a dark, cool place. It is a great choice for survival gardeners.

Learn more about survival gardening.

Peanuts

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Did you know you can buy raw peanuts in the shell from the grocery store and grow your own peanuts in your garden? It really is that easy, and they are a great source of protein and monounsaturated fat.

More Survival Garden Crops To Try

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You can grow more plants in your survival garden, but these are the staples.

You must consider your climate and weather conditions, but remember that survival vegetables are meant to withstand the storm. They are intended to be there for you, even if you’re going through a disaster situation. Survival vegetables and survival herbs can see you through some very tough times.

Here are a few more survival crops to try:

• Sweet Potatoes
• Turnips
• Carrots
• Peas
• Winter Wheat
• Cabbage

How good would it feel to know you are caring for your family with your survival garden? Food self-sufficiency is one of the most important things you will ever do with your life. It is a legacy you will leave for your family as well.

Whatever your reasons for starting a survival garden, choosing the right crops will help your garden perform better. These great, versatile crops will feed you and your family, and the garden is self-sustaining. It’s a win all around.

Survival Garden Seeds

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In order to start a survival garden, you need to get the right seeds. I prefer heirloom survival garden seeds, which you can find online. These give you a cheap, reliable way to start your garden each spring for many years to come, keeping you self-sufficient and on a budget.

Fast-growing flowering trees add beauty to your landscape, rewarding you with lovely blooms and towering stature in just a few years. Slower-growing flowering trees can add character to your garden, but if you are starting your garden from scratch and you don’t want to wait years for beautiful blooms, the faster-growing flowering trees can give you a dramatic transformation.

Here are 10 of our favorites for landscape design in the United States.

1. Callistemon (also known as crimson bottle brush)

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A native of Australia, Callistemon complements seaside and Mediterranean garden designs. The red “brushes” that cover the plant are actually the stamens of its flowers. The petals are so inconspicuous that you have to look hard to find them. As you might expect, most flower heads of the crimson bottlebrush are crimson, but there are also occasional flower heads in orange, green, or yellow.

Check out these other red flowering trees.

Callistemon grows 30 feet (10 meters) tall as a specimen tree, but it can also be trained to become a container plant. Callistemons are favorite butterfly plants.

2. Crabapple

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Crabapple is a variety of apple that bears copious blooms in early spring and small fruit that attracts wildlife all summer. The real beauty of this tree is its fruit,t since the blooms fade in about a week, but the fruits remain on the tree all summer and through most of the fall. A constant supply of fruit makes the crabapple a favorite attraction of birds and squirrels.

Crabapples fit well in most cottage landscape designs. If given rich soil and summer moisture, they grow 2 or 3 feet (up to a meter) a year, quickly reaching their mature height to take their permanent place in the landscape.

3. Crape Myrtle

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The crape myrtle is an excellent choice if you want a fast-growing tree that provides bold color all summer long. Well adapted to summer heat, it does just as well under irrigation in the arid Southwestern United States as it does in the steamy Southeast,

Crape myrtles grow approximately 2 feet (60 cm) a year and come in a variety of colors. The beautiful dark pink Tuskegee variety (see more pink flowering trees) can be framed by the delightfully purple Muskogee crape myrtle of the bold white blooms of the Natchez cultivar.

Crape myrtles need fertilizer every month during the growing season to ensure lush foliage and abundant flowers. Prune during their dormant season to maintain their canopy shape. Crape myrtles are winter-hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9.

Crape myrtles are a great selection for front yards.

4. Eastern Redbud

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Eastern redbuds (Cercis canadensis) bloom in early spring when other flowering trees are bare. The most familiar cultivars of this tree are covered with pea-like blossoms in shades of lavender for a couple of weeks around the date of the last freeze, but there are also varieties of Eastern redbud that bloom in white or magenta.

Redbuds grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) per year. Happy growing under other deciduous trees, redbuds are adapted to sandy soils, clay soils, rocky soils, low pH, high pH, moist conditions (as long as they don’t stand in water), and drought. Redbuds are winter-hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9.

5. Kentucky Wisteria

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Kentucky wisteria is one of the best choices for a fast-growing tree for the front of your house. It creates waterfalls of beautiful blooms that fill the air with its perfume. The Kentucky wisteria is a favorite for growing over a pergola or up the side of your house. It is the perfect tree for a cottage front door.

Kentucky wisteria will grow two or three feet a year, sometimes more. It flowers two or three years after it is planted. Be sure to get Kentucky wisteria, not the more invasive and poisonous Chinese wisteria.

6. Kwanzan Cherry

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The Kwanzan cherry, which is officially known as Prunus serrulate Kwanzan, erupts in streams of frothy pink blooms in late spring. Because it blooms after other cherries, the Kwanzan cherry is a great choice for making sure you have your own “cherry blossom time” every spring, even when other cherries are set back by frost.

Kwanzan cherries grow 1 or 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) per year and can eventually reach a height and breadth of 40 feet (13 meters). Consistent pruning, however, can keep the Kwanzan cherry a smaller tree.

7. Linden Tree (also known as Tilia)

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The delicate, bell-like yellow flowers of the Linden tree attract bees. The flowers taste like honey. Linden trees bloom in early summer when other sources of nectar and pollen have gone to seed. After its flowering season, the linden tree provides dense shade all summer.

Linden trees also have sweet leaves. They attract aphids, which may be “farmed” by ants that encourage them to bite into the leaves to release the sweet sap on which both insects feed.

Linden trees grow about 2 feet (60 cm) every year and can reach 50 to 80 feet (16 to 26 meters) tall. However, they don’t do well in areas with heavy air pollution.

8. Sargent Cherry

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Looking for a fast-growing flowering cherry tree that bears edible fruit? Look no further than the Sargent cherry. This Siberian import is covered with single pink flowers in the spring, followed by small black cherries in the summer. The cherries are delicious, but hard to find. Birds may compete with you for the bounty.

Sargent cherries are extremely hardy. They are easily transplanted and can withstand summer drought and, coming from Sakhalin Island in eastern Russia, winter cold. They make great street trees but do not do well in areas with heavy air pollution.

9. Southern Magnolia

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Different magnolias grow at very different rates. For instance, the lovely star magnolia (Magnolia stellate) grows just a few inches in its first year, so it grows slowly and is best treated as a container plant. On the other hand, the stately southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) grows two feet yearly, reaching 30 to 45 feet (10 to 15 meters).

Southern magnolias are covered with white flowers from mid-spring to early summer, in most locations, through the month of May into early June. No magnolia will grow faster, making this variety a great focal plant.

10. Tulip Tree

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The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is not related to tulips. Although its yellow and orange flowers look like tulips, they are easy to appreciate from a distance because they grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter.

Tulip trees grow up to 3 feet (a meter) every year. In a forest, where they compete with other trees for sunlight, they sometimes grow as much as 180 feet (60 meters) high. Their unusually straight habit makes them a great specimen tree – although it can take up to 15 years to see their first blooms.

Keep in mind that the trees that grow the fastest tend to have the shortest lives. Planting a mix of fast-growing and slow-growing flowering trees is the best way to ensure a lifetime of landscape beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Growing Flowering Trees

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Are there any fast-growing flowering shade trees?

Ginkgos grow fast and produce a beautiful display of yellow blooms in the spring. These trees are especially well-suited to high-traffic areas and can withstand air pollution.

What are some good fast-growing evergreen flowering trees?

Mountain laurels are often found growing in dry, rocky, hot-summer locations, so we don’t think of them as fast-growing, but they grow 2 or even 3 feet a year in good soil with regular moisture. These evergreen plants put on gray seed pods after their blue and purple flowers fade in the spring.

Are Japanese maples the only flowering maples?

Silver maple puts on red blooms in the spring and yellow leaves in autumn. Red maple puts on red flowers in the spring and bright red leaves in the fall. Both maples grow about 30 feet (10 meters) high in 15 years or so.

Which dogwood grows fastest?

Red dogwood grows faster than other varieties. They will add at least 2 feet (60 cm) of height yearly.

Which fast-growing flowering tree makes the best privacy screen?

Even as young trees, red dogwood trees make great privacy screens. Although they only bloom for about a month in early spring, they make a great backdrop for your landscape all year round.

Here are 10 more ideas for creating privacy in your backyard.

Red flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia) produces a show of red flowers for up to six months a year and hangs low enough to block casual viewing from the road or street. It is a subtropical tree, but new varieties do well even in cooler climates.

Royal poinciana (Delonix regia), also known by its common name, fire tree, won’t keep a determined viewer from seeing your yard. Still, it’s beautiful red flowers that last all summer will distract passersby from looking into your yard and home.

Are there any fast-growing flowering trees suitable for a small garden or patio?

Any fast-growing flowering tree grown in a container is suitable for a small garden. Consider a tree rose, tree peony, or double-blooming gardenia tree.

Is there a best time for planting fast-growing flowering trees?

People who live in tropical climates can plant fast-growing flowering trees any time of year if they are able to provide the young transplant with appropriate levels of moisture. In climates with short winters and not particularly frosty, planting fast-growing flowering trees in the fall gives them all winter to put down roots to capture summer moisture. In cold-winter climates, planting is usually delayed until early spring.

Other Favorites to Consider

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If you’re looking for the fastest-growing trees for your yard, try one of the above. Here are a few more of my favorite fast-growing trees:

• Willow trees (weeping willow trees can grow up to 10 feet a year when they’re young)
• Red oak – it has beautiful, bright red fall foliage and makes a great shade tree
• Some pear trees, such as the oriental pear (Pyrus communis) and the Kieffer pear (Pyrus communis x P. pyrifolia) are fast growers
• Some magnolia trees, such as the southern magnolia, grow up to 2 feet per year
• Flowering cherry trees with their fragrant white flowers (and pink flowers) are another good choice and can create a beautiful focal point in your front yard
• The heritage river birch (Betula nigra) grows medium-fast, between one and two feet per year

These trees, while beautiful, don’t enjoy rapid growth:

• Bald cypress
• Dogwood trees
• Japanese maple
• Paperback maple

You don’t have to wait years or decades to see a tree you’ve planted bloom. The trees we discussed here will grow quickly, giving you a gorgeous landscape without waiting too long. I hope you found the perfect tree for your backyard 🙂

Blue is a color that is often associated with spirituality and intellect. It is believed to have a calming effect, and it can help people fall asleep faster or feel relaxed. Light blue is often associated with calmness, peace, and serenity. But darker shades of blue can convey confidence and importance. Sometimes we also see blue represent mourning, sadness, or depression.

With summertime almost here and ready to bring full blooms, there are some truly beautiful blue flowers out and about just waiting to catch your eye! From a blue hibiscus flower to delphinium flowers and impatiens flowers, there are so many amazing blue and violet flowers to fill your garden.

An important thing to know about blue flowers is that they are some of the rarest color of flowers in the entire world. Perhaps this is why they stand out to us as striking and unique.

If you stop and think about the last time that you saw a blue flower, you may be thinking for quite some time, unless you’re lucky enough to already have some of them in your garden. Blue flowers are actually quite rare to see, but once you do find one, be ready to feel a calmness and serenity take over almost immediately.

The blue color is vibrant and catches the eye easily, and many say that it brings peaceful energy with it that transfers directly to you. There’s just something very special about these flowers, and we’re going to take a look at some of the most intriguing blue flowers in the world.

Hoping to spend your summer months searching for those pretty blue flowers? Here are a few to keep your eyes peeled for!

Royal Blue Flowers- 1. Spring Gentian (Gentiana verna)

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Deep in color and rare to find, there are several royal blue flower options available that you can find and plant in your own garden. If you want to have pretty blue flowers right outside your back door, these are the flowers that you’ll want to plant!

First up is the spring gentia. Typically smaller in size, these deep blue Spring Gentian flowers still provide a big “wow” factor. Most commonly found in the UK, they begin to bloom in the late spring months or the early months of summer. They are so beautiful and unique.

2. Wild Clary Sage (Salvia verbenaca)

Image Credit: By Lies Van Rompaey – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

These blue flowering plants can grow in some of the driest climates. Wild Sage Flower blooms for a long time during the late summer months and is mostly found in rocky prairies.

You can bring them to your home garden in zones 5-9 or head out for a late summer hike in areas of California or across the Atlantic in the Mediterranean region.

3. Round-Leaved Bell-Flower (Campanula rotundifolia)

Image Credit: Ardfern – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

Round-leaf bellflowers make some truly beautiful blue flower arrangements. They are a fragrant flower that attracts bees, birds, and butterflies as well. They look like delicate little hoods, and they are truly beautiful.

This tiny shrub is a great addition to any landscape, as it is easy to care for as well. You can talk to your local nursery to see if they carry it, depending on your region.

Blue Perennial Flowers- 4. Blue Hydrangea Flowers

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Imagine being able to plant once and have beautiful blue flowers return and grow year after year…With the blue perennial flowers listed below, that dream for your yard and garden could absolutely become a reality!

If you want beautiful blue hydrangeas, just a little tweaking of the soil pH can make that happen. Hydrangeas are the perfect flowers to make some stunning and beautiful flower arrangements. They can be light blue to a darker hue and everything in between. You might even experiment to try to see how different styles of plant care (sun vs shade, fertilizer, etc..) affect the colors!

5. Lobelia

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Typically found in more tropical climates, the Lobelia flower is truly a sight to see. Different varieties of this flower can be found in Indian tobacco and also in various medicines, as well.

6. Flowering Flax

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Flax flowers are pretty blue flowers that have a ton of different uses and can add a versatile look to any garden bed. It can be used for health purposes or even making fabrics, and it first originated in India.

Pale Blue Flowers- 7. Forget Me Not

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Don’t overlook the subtle beauty of these pale blue flowers. They may not be vibrant in color, but they are just as beautiful to look at! Morning glories can also fall into this category. And whether they are growing in your garden or being sent as a message of love, here are some pale blue flowers you will love to look at.

Growing to be quite tall in size, forget-me-not flowers are blue blooms that tend to grow best during the months of May to October.

8. Alpine Flowers

Image Credit: PicturElements – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Located typically high up on the mountain tops, Alpine flowers truly are a sight that is worth the trek. If you have the resources and the availability, seeing an Alpine flower in its natural environment is a beautiful thing.

9. Lungwort Flowers

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Lungwort flowers are typically blue, but often have two different colors on the same plant. These unique blossoms make a fun addition or might catch your eye if you spot them.

Small Blue Flowers- 10. Chicory Flowers

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Just because they may be small, their bright blue colors are still big! Flowers come in all different shapes and sizes, but here are a few of our favorite small blue flowers. These small flowers are a good choice for anyone who loves blue.

Chicory flowers are in the same family as dandelions and tend to have some of the same characteristics as well. The main difference? Their bright blue color makes them stand out.

11. Blue Pansies

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It’s rare to see a blue pansy (it’s more common to see yellow or red), but once you do, you’ll be hunting to recreate that memory again in your mind very soon. They are beautiful, bold, and make quite the impression once you see them with your own eyes.

12. Veronica Flowers

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These beautiful blue flowers are typically found in bridal bouquets or other floral arrangements. The bright blue color makes them a great addition to any flower bouquet!

13. Rosemary Flowers

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The name of these flowers says it all. Beautiful blue with a strong scent makes these small blue flowers stand out and stand their own against the other flowers that they grow around.

14. Anemones

Image Credit: Syrio – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Commonly referred to by the name of windflowers, anemones have a distinct and unique look that is certain to catch your eye. Pair it with the bright blue color, and they are truly a beautiful blue flower.

15. Fall Asters

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Fall Asters are late bloomers and tend to be one of the latest and brightest (purplish) blue flowers during the summer months. When other flowers are nearing the end of their season, the Fall Asters are just beginning theirs. Aster flower leaves can help bring out the pretty colors in the flowers, too.

16. Blue Columbines

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If you are looking for an easy-to-grow blue perennial, this Blue Columbines flower is the one for you. Most of the time, this flower can be grown in varying areas and seasons without much effort.

More Beautiful Blue Flowers Pictures- 17. Blue Iris Flowers

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Looking for some suggestions of blue flowers that are picture-perfect? These are the beautiful blue flowers that you’ve been searching for. These last few are perhaps the most popular options for your garden.

Blue, with a bit of yellow, these Blue Iris flowers scream early summer and are a treat for any gardener to take care of and grow. Can’t you just see them in your own garden?

Like yellow flowers? Here are some pretty spring yellow flowers.

18. Blue Primrose Flowers

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If you are searching for a blue flower that blooms during the early spring, Blue Primrose is the one for you. Blue may be the main color of these flowers, but there can be multiple other colors scattered throughout as well.

19. Clematis

Image Credit: Bernt Fransson – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Depending on the care that your Clematis flower needs, you may have to do some pruning to help this flower become and stay in its best condition. It will all be worth it to see this beauty each year though!

20. Blue Orchids

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Want to bring the blue indoors to your home?

There are few flowers that are quite as stunning as beautiful blue orchids. Perfect for your home, and any blue flower arrangements, these flowers will be a show-stopper each and every time. There is a serenity of the color blue that comes through in these orchids and will take your breath away.

21. Cranesbill Flowers

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If you are hoping to find a blue flower that has a long blooming season, Cranesbill flowers are just what you are looking for. Not only do they bloom for a longer time span than others, but they also tend to bloom in abundance as well.

22. Gentian Flowers

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I love the look of trumpet flowers, but never knew exactly how to get them? Welcome Gentian flowers into your garden and you’ll have blue trumpets before you know it!

23. Blue Globe Thistle

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Don’t let the name of this flower deceive you; it’s not just a horse weed. This is a flower that you should be looking out for. It’s unique, blue, and beyond beautiful.

24. Blue Morning Glory

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Blue morning glory flowers can be a variety of colors, ranging from blue to white to purple. Depending on the region of the soil and the area, those variables can help to determine what color flower the Gentian flower will be.

Morning glory is the common name for Ipomoea purpurea, which can grow very fast and sometimes even become invasive.

25. Common Grape Hyacinth

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More common than many other blue flowers, these Common Grape Hyacinth can really make you stop and do a double-take. They are unique and beautiful with a bright blue color!

What to Pair Blue Flowers With

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Blue flowers will look amazing in any garden, but if you want to make them really pop, couple them with some pure white flowers, such as daisies, white chrysanthemums, or white lilies. WOW! I can only imagine.

Want to add even more oomph? Add some red poppies or other red flowers.

The Beauty of Deep Blue Flowers

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The perfect blue flower can bring on a strong feeling of love, and it can also represent peace and friendship. The meaning of clematis is said to symbolize the beauty of ingenuity. Blue calla lilies are used to thank someone for what they have given you. They are also said to represent holiness, faith, and purity.

This is my favorite color of flower, or one of my favorites. There are so many different shades of blue, and I have to say, I love them all. I also love purple flowers, and a deep purple or light purple can also come through many of these blue flowers. When is the last time that you saw a beautiful true blue flower with your own eyes?

North America has a lot of beautiful blue flowers to choose from. There is no better time than now to get out and about and see how many of these flowers you can find. You’ll have a blast looking, moving, and enjoying everything that is available to see in nature. Maybe you’ll be inspired to add them to your own yard or home as well!