Variety Guide

Black-eyed Susan is a perennial wildflower with yellow petals and a dark center. It blooms from summer to frost and comes back every year.

Calendula (pot marigold) is an edible flower with orange or yellow petals. It blooms in cool weather and self-seeds. Use petals in salads or as a saffron substitute.

Gomphrena (globe amaranth) is a clover-like flower that holds its color for months after cutting. It's drought-tolerant and blooms all summer.

Cosmos are tall, airy wildflowers that bloom from summer to frost. They thrive in poor soil — too much fertilizer means no flowers.

Lavender is a fragrant perennial herb that thrives in dry, sunny conditions. It's slow to grow from seed but lives for years. Excellent for containers and borders.

Nasturtium is an edible flower with peppery leaves and flowers. It's easy to grow, thrives in poor soil, and attracts pollinators.

Marigolds are fast-growing annuals that bloom from summer to frost. They're the easiest flower for beginners and repel some garden pests.

Poppies are easy wildflowers that self-seed aggressively. Plant once and they come back every year. Best direct-sown — they don't transplant well.

Teddy Bear sunflowers grow 2-3 feet tall with fuzzy, double yellow blooms. They're the best sunflower for containers and kids.

Dahlia-flowered zinnias are 3-4 inch double blooms that produce from summer to frost. The best cut flower for beginners — the more you cut, the more they bloom.