This summer, add height, color, and pollinators to your garden.
Your garden becomes an empty canvas for striking, eye-catching blossoms as the days lengthen and the sun shines brighter. Summer is a great season to plant bright, sun-loving flowers that will repay you with months of color and vibrancy, whether you're dealing with borders, beds, pots, or allotments.
Three exceptional flowers that are simple to grow, adored by bees and butterflies, and suitable for gardeners of all skill levels have been selected by Yorkshire Seeds: Sunflowers, zinnias, and marigolds.
1. Marigolds: The Cheerful Workhorse
Why Grow Marigolds?
🌞 Love full sun
🐛 Naturally repel pests (ideal companion for veggies!)
🌸 Flower continuously until the first frost
🪴 Suitable for containers, borders, and garden beds
Marigolds are a staple of any summer garden. Their bold yellows and oranges bring instant cheer, while their unique scent deters aphids and whiteflies — making them a great companion for tomatoes, beans, and chillies.
Top Variety to Try: African Marigold Calando Dwarf Mix – A compact variety with bright, double blooms.
🌸 2. Zinnias: Colour Explosion Made Easy
Why Grow Zinnias?
🎨 Available in nearly every colour
🐝 Attract bees and butterflies
✂️ Long-lasting cut flowers
💪 Heat and drought tolerant
Zinnias are perfect for gardeners seeking bold, eye-catching colour with minimal effort. They thrive in heat, bloom continuously, and make excellent cut flowers for fresh bouquets. Zinnias are fast-growing and child-friendly — just scatter the seeds and let the sun do the rest.
Top Variety to Try: Purple Zinnia Dahlia– Purple Big, bold blooms
🌻 3. Sunflowers: A Classic Summer Showstopper
Why Grow Sunflowers?
🐦 Loved by birds for their seeds
🌻 Towering varieties add vertical drama
👩🌾 Easy to grow from seed
🧒 Great for children and beginner gardeners
Sunflowers are the iconic flower of summer. With their bright yellow faces and stately height, they bring joy and structure to any garden. Choose from towering giants, branching types for cut flowers, or dwarf sunflowers for pots and balconies.
Top Variety to Try: Sunflower ‘Giant ’ – A true showstopper
🌱 Quick Planting Tips:
When to Sow: Sow directly outdoors after the last frost (late April–June)
Soil: Free-draining, fertile soil in a sunny spot
Watering: Water well after sowing and during dry spells
Maintenance: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage fresh flowers
Support: Tall sunflowers may need staking as they grow
🐝 Bonus: Attract Pollinators
All three of these flower types are bee magnets and will help support your local pollinator populations. Plant alongside herbs like lavender and borage for a truly pollinator-friendly garden.
Final Thoughts from Yorkshire Seeds
Planting summer flowers is about more than colour — it’s about joy, pollination, and celebrating the season. With Marigolds, Zinnias, and Sunflowers, your garden can become a vibrant haven all summer long.