The Great Lakes region may have unpredictable springs and snowy winters, but when summer arrives—it’s showtime in the garden. For gardeners in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, and nearby states, this is the time to let colorful, long-blooming flowers take the stage and keep the landscape vibrant from June through early fall.
In this list, you’ll find 24 flower varieties that are proven winners across the Great Lakes region—whether you’re gardening near the shores of Lake Michigan or in a shaded backyard in Cleveland. From native perennials to easy annuals, these blooms deliver non-stop beauty without demanding your weekends. They’re the kind of plants that make you look like a master gardener, even if you just water when you remember.
Black-Eyed Susan
Golden petals surround a chocolatey center, creating a cheerful floral display. Black-Eyed Susans thrive in sunny spots, drawing attention with their vibrant color. These resilient blooms handle heat well, making them ideal for summer gardens. They require minimal care, needing just occasional deadheading to prolong their flowering period. Plant them in well-drained soil and watch them flourish throughout the season. Their sunny disposition and easygoing nature make them a favorite among both novice and seasoned gardeners. Enjoy the sight of these golden beauties swaying gently in the breeze, adding warmth to your garden.
Coneflower
Coneflowers stand tall, their purple petals creating a striking visual against green foliage. These flowers are known for their sturdy stems and ability to withstand windy days. Not only are they beautiful, but they also attract butterflies and bees, promoting a healthy garden ecosystem. Once established, coneflowers require little attention, thriving in a variety of soil conditions. Deadheading can encourage more blooms, but it’s not essential. Their drought tolerance makes them perfect for areas with dry spells. This hardy flower ensures a vibrant garden scene throughout the warm months.
Daylily
Daylilies burst into color, showcasing a range of hues from sunny yellows to deep reds. Each bloom lasts only a day, but new flowers continuously emerge, ensuring a persistent display. These perennials are incredibly low-maintenance, adapting well to various soil conditions. Their robust nature makes them suitable for erosion control on slopes or embankments. Besides their aesthetic appeal, daylilies are also resistant to pests and diseases. They multiply easily, offering more blooms each year, making them a practical choice for gardeners seeking long-lasting beauty with minimal effort.
Shasta Daisy
Shasta Daisies exude charm, with crisp white petals encircling sunny yellow centers. Their classic daisy appearance brings a touch of purity to any garden. These perennials bloom generously, requiring little more than occasional watering to stay vibrant. Deadheading can prolong their blooming season, while dividing clumps every few years keeps them healthy. Shasta Daisies are an excellent choice for borders or mixed flower beds, adding structure and brightness. Their timeless beauty and straightforward care requirements make them a staple in summer gardens, providing joy year after year.
Zinnia
Zinnias are a riot of color, with their vivid blooms creating an eye-catching spectacle. Their bold, daisy-like flowers come in a range of colors, from pastel pinks to fiery reds. Zinnias grow quickly, making them perfect for impatient gardeners seeking immediate impact. These annuals thrive in sunny locations and are exceptionally easy to grow from seed. Regular deadheading encourages a continuous display of flowers throughout the summer. Their ability to attract butterflies adds an element of life to your garden, enhancing the overall vibrancy and appeal.
Marigold
Marigolds offer a splash of sunshine with their bright orange and yellow blooms. Known for their ability to deter pests, they make excellent companion plants in vegetable gardens. Marigolds thrive in full sun and require minimal maintenance, making them a gardener’s ally. Their robust nature allows them to endure hot, dry conditions without fuss. Regular deadheading promotes continued blooming, ensuring your garden stays lively all season. The cheerful presence of Marigolds not only adds color but also enhances the health of surrounding plants.
Salvia
Spikes of purple flowers rise majestically, adding vertical interest to garden beds. Salvia is cherished for its long blooming season and minimal care requirements. These perennials are drought-tolerant and thrive in sunny locations, making them perfect for busy gardeners. They attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity in your garden. Salvia’s aromatic leaves and vibrant blooms offer both visual and sensory delight. Cut back spent flowers to encourage more blooms and enjoy the sight of these striking spikes throughout the summer months.
Coreopsis
Bright yellow Coreopsis blooms dance in the breeze, adding sunshine to any garden. These perennials are known for their cheerful, daisy-like flowers and extended bloom period. They’re drought-tolerant and thrive in well-drained soil, requiring little more than occasional watering. Coreopsis is perfect for borders, attracting butterflies while resisting deer. Deadheading can prolong their flowering season, ensuring a lively display. Their easygoing nature and vibrant color make Coreopsis a delightful addition to summer gardens, bringing warmth and joy with minimal effort.
Yarrow
Yarrow’s flat-topped clusters of flowers add a unique texture to garden landscapes. Available in various colors, from soft pinks to sunny yellows, yarrow is both ornamental and functional. Its drought resistance and ability to thrive in poor soil make it a practical choice for low-maintenance gardens. Besides its beauty, yarrow attracts beneficial insects and is used in herbal remedies. Regular trimming encourages continuous blooms, while its feathery foliage adds delicate grace. This versatile plant fits well in mixed borders and naturalized areas, celebrating the summer season with its charm.
Lavender
Lavender’s soothing scent and delicate purple flowers create a calming garden ambiance. This perennial thrives in sunny, well-drained locations and is adored for its aromatic foliage. Lavender is a tough plant, resistant to drought and deer, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardening. Its silvery-green leaves complement the vibrant blooms, adding a touch of elegance. Pruning after flowering encourages new growth and maintains its neat appearance. Lavender attracts pollinators and can be used in culinary and craft projects, offering beauty and utility all in one.
Petunia
Petunias cascade with color, their trumpet-shaped flowers offering endless possibilities in garden design. These annuals thrive in containers and hanging baskets, creating a floral waterfall effect. Petunias enjoy full sun and require regular watering for optimal growth. Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming, keeping the display fresh and lively. With a wide range of hues to choose from, petunias add a burst of color to any outdoor space. Their versatility and vibrant nature make them a beloved choice for gardeners seeking instant impact and long-lasting beauty.
Cosmos
Cosmos bring an airy elegance to gardens with their delicate, daisy-like flowers. Available in shades of pink, white, and crimson, they create a soft, romantic feel. Cosmos thrive in full sun and tolerate poor soil conditions, making them an easy choice for beginners. These annuals self-seed readily, ensuring their presence in the garden year after year. Minimal care is required, with occasional deadheading to promote prolonged blooming. The graceful nature of cosmos adds movement and texture to garden beds, enhancing the overall aesthetic with their charm.
Bee Balm
Bee Balm bursts with vibrant colors, from reds to purples, attracting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. Its unique, tubular flowers add an exotic touch to gardens and provide a lush look when planted en masse. Bee Balm thrives in sunny spots with moist, well-drained soil. Prone to mildew, good air circulation is key to keeping it healthy. Deadheading encourages more blooms and prevents self-seeding. This perennial not only adds visual interest but also supports a healthy ecosystem, making it a valuable addition to any garden setting.
Gaillardia
Gaillardia, or Blanket Flower, dazzles with its fiery red and yellow blooms, resembling a summer sunset. These perennials are heat-tolerant and thrive in full sun, making them perfect for hot, dry climates. Gaillardia requires little care once established, with deadheading prolonging its blooming season. Their daisy-like flowers attract butterflies, adding life and movement to garden beds. Resistant to deer and rabbits, Gaillardia is a reliable choice for those seeking vibrant, long-lasting color. This hardy flower ensures a lively display from early summer until fall.
Geranium
Geraniums offer a splash of color with their vibrant blooms and lush green foliage. These perennials thrive in sunny locations, withstanding heat and drought once established. Known for their versatility, geraniums are perfect for containers, borders, or hanging baskets. Regular deadheading keeps them blooming profusely, while their distinctive fragrance adds sensory appeal. Geraniums are easy to care for, making them a favorite among gardeners seeking reliable, continuous color. Their cheerful presence brightens any garden setting, adding charm and vitality to outdoor spaces.
Sedum
Sedum’s fleshy foliage and star-shaped flowers create a striking addition to any garden. Also known as stonecrop, this perennial thrives in poor, rocky soil and requires minimal care. Sedum’s drought tolerance and ability to withstand heat make it ideal for sunny locations. Its flowers attract pollinators, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem. Available in various colors, sedum offers visual interest and texture. This hardy plant is perfect for rock gardens, borders, or ground covers, providing low-maintenance beauty throughout the summer and into fall.
Hosta
Hostas are valued for their beautiful foliage and adaptability to shade. These perennials feature large, textured leaves in shades of green, blue, and variegated patterns. Hostas thrive in shaded areas, making them perfect for under trees or in dim corners of the garden. While primarily grown for their leaves, hostas produce tall spikes of delicate flowers that add a touch of elegance. They require minimal care, with occasional watering during dry periods. Hostas create a lush, tranquil oasis, offering visual interest and a calming backdrop for other plantings.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus flowers captivate with their large, showy blooms in vibrant colors. These tropical-looking plants bring an exotic flair to gardens, thriving in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Hibiscus requires regular watering, especially during dry spells, to maintain its lush appearance. Pruning helps keep the plant tidy and encourages more blooms. Their striking flowers attract pollinators, adding movement and life to garden spaces. Whether planted in containers or garden beds, hibiscus offers a touch of the tropics, ensuring a captivating display throughout the summer months.
Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia charms with its bright yellow petals and dark centers, creating a cheerful garden presence. These perennials thrive in sunny locations, enduring heat and drought with ease. Deadheading spent blooms encourages a longer flowering season, keeping the garden lively. Rudbeckia’s tolerance to poor soil conditions and its ability to resist pests make it a reliable choice for low-maintenance gardens. The vibrant, daisy-like flowers attract butterflies, adding an element of life and vibrancy. Rudbeckia’s sunny disposition and resilience make it a garden favorite.
Baptisia
Baptisia, or False Indigo, enchants with its tall spikes of blue flowers and lush foliage. This perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring little care once established. Baptisia is drought-tolerant and resistant to pests, making it a practical choice for low-maintenance gardens. Its deep roots help stabilize soil, preventing erosion on slopes. In addition to its beauty, Baptisia attracts pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity. With its unique structure and ability to withstand adverse conditions, Baptisia adds elegance and resilience to any garden.
Phlox
Phlox enliven gardens with their vibrant clusters of flowers and sweet fragrance. These perennials thrive in sunny or partially shaded areas, providing color and scent throughout the summer months. Phlox is easy to grow and care for, requiring regular watering and deadheading to prolong blooms. Their ability to attract butterflies enhances garden dynamics, adding life and movement. Available in various colors, phlox fits well in borders or mass plantings, creating a stunning visual impact. Their reliable nature and cheerful presence make phlox a garden staple.
Snapdragon
Snapdragons bring a playful touch to gardens with their unique, dragon-like blooms. These annuals thrive in sunny locations and prefer well-drained soil. Snapdragons are easy to grow and care for, requiring regular watering and deadheading to maintain their vibrant display. Their tall spikes add vertical interest to garden beds, making them ideal for borders or container plantings. Snapdragons attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing garden biodiversity. With a range of colors and sizes, snapdragons offer endless possibilities for garden design and creativity.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums delight with their bright, jewel-toned blooms and peppery, edible leaves. These annuals thrive in poor, well-drained soil and sunny locations. Nasturtiums are easy to grow from seed, requiring little care once established. Their trailing habit makes them ideal for hanging baskets or ground covers. In addition to their beauty, nasturtiums deter pests and attract beneficial insects, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem. Their edible flowers and leaves add a unique element to salads and dishes, offering both visual appeal and culinary versatility.
Lantana
Lantana bursts with color, its small flowers forming clusters in shades of pink, yellow, and orange. These perennials thrive in sunny, well-drained locations and are heat-tolerant, making them perfect for summer gardens. Lantana requires little care, with occasional pruning to maintain its shape and encourage more blooms. The vibrant flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, adding movement to garden spaces. Their drought tolerance and ability to withstand poor soil conditions make Lantana a practical choice for low-maintenance gardening, ensuring a lively display all season long.