42 Prettiest Flowers in the World to Grow in the Garden

Reviewed by Debra LaGattuta

Planting the prettiest flowers offers vibrant blooms that enhance your garden's beauty, perfect for bouquets or adding lively colors and textures to your landscape. Some flowers thrive in pots while others grow independently in the ground, bushes, or vines. Depending on your USDA hardiness zone , certain plants might be perennial, while others are annual or require indoor overwintering. Explore a variety of the world's prettiest flowering plants for your garden, including spring-blooming bulbs, annuals, perennials, and native wildflowers , all of which will contribute extra curb appeal in your front yard .

Warning

Lilies, irises, daffodils, and foxgloves are listed on Poison Control's poisonous plant list. Birds of paradise, tulips, and wisteria are also known to have toxic properties. Go to the Poison Control website and search for the flower you're considering planting.

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Dinner Plate Dahlia

Some people automatically think of giant dinner plate-sized blooms at the mention of dahlias, but the Dahlia genus includes a huge diversity of plants and bloom size and flower forms.

Choose a variety that has the potential to produce mammoth blooms, like the 'Kevin Floodlight' dinner plate dahlia pictured here. Dahlias require full sun and plenty of fertilizer and water. If you wish, you can remove most of the buds to direct the plant's energy into producing only a few huge blooms. Dinner plate dahlias need a long time to mature and might require a head start indoors, north of hardiness zone 5.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:8 to 11

• Flower Color Varieties:Every color except true blue and true green; single or double, solid or patterned blooms

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained, slightly acidic
  

• Mature Size:2-6 feet tall, with flowers that are 2-12 inches across, depending on type of dahlia
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)

Bearded irises ( Iris germanica ) are as tough and low-maintenance as they are exquisite to behold in a sunny zone 3 to 9 garden. Expect to see varieties like 'Wabash,' a Dykes Memorial Medal winner, peak in May. Divide bearded irises every few years to keep them vigorous.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 9
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, brown, white, pink, many bicolors

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained; will rot in wet soil
  

• Mature Size:12–40 inches tall, 1–2 feet wide, depending on variety
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Peony (Paeonia)

The name says it all. While there aren't any unattractive peonies (Paeonia) , 'Bowl of Beauty' pictured here is the perfect marriage of color and form. The large circumference of fuchsia guard petals surrounds a frilly lemon center of petals, which creates the bowl. Peonies don't ask for much in their decades of life: full sun and good drainage are enough to produce masses of blooms in average, fertile soil. Peonies are exceptionally hardy, to zone 3 and 4, giving northern gardeners something to look forward to after a grueling winter.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 9
  

• Flower Color Varieties:White, pink, rose, red, deep purple, and coral

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  

• Mature Size:2-3 feet tall; 2-3 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Parrot Tulips (Tulipa × gesneriana Parrot Group)

The late spring blooming parrot tulip is a truly unique and whimsical plant thanks to its eye-catching variety of twisted, ruffled, or curled petals drenched in vivid color combinations. They resemble the colorful feathers of the tropical bird they are named for. Parrot tulips are not long-lived bulbs, so many gardeners treat them as annuals.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 7
  

• Flower Color Varieties:A wide variety of colors and patterns

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Chalky, loamy, and sandy soil
  

• Mature Size:15-20 inch stems
  

• Deer Resistant:No

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Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are fast-growing shrubs with resplendent, colorful blooms. The many different species of hydrangeas produce various flower forms in a range of cool colors and bloom at different times of the year. Some hydrangeas have large, round flower heads, some have conical-shaped blooms, and others have a smaller, flatter flower head. Plant these deciduous shrubs in the fall or early spring.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:5 to 9
  

• Flower Color Varieties:White, blue, pink, maroon, red, purple, and pale green

• Light:Partial sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  

• Mature Size:depends on species; size can be a manageable 3-5 feet wide and tall, and as much as 25 feet for some species (if unpruned) with equal spread
  

• Deer Resistant:No

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Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

You won't be the first one to coddle and pamper your bird of paradise flowers as if they were pets. These South African beauties have an exotic appearance, are not fussy plants, and they will grow in many areas if you protect them from the cold. Plant them in full or partial sun in regular potting soil and water when the soil is dry to the touch. Plants must overwinter indoors north of zone 10.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:10 to 12
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Orange sepals and blue petals

• Light:Full to partial sun

• Soil Needs: Loamy, slightly acidic
  

• Mature Size:3.5-6 ft. tall, 3-4 ft. wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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English Rose (Rosa)

English roses like the 'Abraham Darby' variety shown here are revered for their large blooms packed with petals and old-world fragrance. Many of the most beloved English roses (Rosa) come from the David Austin breeding program, where roses undergo an eight-year trial to identify the most outstanding garden varieties. Grow these zone 5 to 9 plants in full sun in rich loam, and fertilize once in spring and summer.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:5 to 9
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Apricot, orange, pink, purple, red, white, cream, yellow

• Light:Partial or full sun

• Soil Needs: Well-drained
  

• Mature Size:1-20 feet tall; 2-5 feet wide, depending on variety
  

• Deer Resistant:No

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Zygopetalum Orchid (Zygopetalum)

Take the inherent beauty of the orchid, and add fantastic speckling and unusual anatomy. You will recognize one of the dozen or so species of the Zygopetalum genus of orchids.

Unlike many orchids , the zygopetalum is also very fragrant. Put this robust grower in a hanging basket under the dappled shade of a tree to give it the best lighting conditions. Grow in partial shade in humid conditions, and protect from hot summer temperatures and freezing temperatures.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:9 to 10
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Green, brown, burgundy, purple, and white

• Light:Partial sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  

• Mature Size:4 inches-2 feet tall; 6 inches-2 feet wide
  

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Lotus

Gorgeous lotus flowers are closely related to water lilies, though they have a delicate, paper-thin texture, and they soar out of the water rather than sitting on top of it. While they're typically grown in a garden pond , you can also grow them in a barrel or a large planter filled with water.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:4-10
  

• Flower Color Varieties:White, pink, yellow

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Loamy, clay, silt, sandy, neutral
  

• Mature Size:3-6 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide 
  

• Deer Resistant:No

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Cherry Blossom

The billow light pink blooms of the cherry blossom is some of the first signs of spring, emerging before other plants have even started to turn green. These ornamental deciduous trees grow quickly, making them an ideal choice to fill your garden with color. After their blossoms have dropped, you'll still have an attractive tree to fill your yard throughout the summer.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:5-8
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Pink, red

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained, neutral
  

• Mature Size:15–25 feet tall, 13–26 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:No

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Turkscap Lily (Lilium martagon)

So many features of the Turkscap lily (Lilium martagon) make it unique: the impressive four-foot stalks, the pendant-like shape of each blossom, and the profusion of blooms on each stem. Much less common in the trade than Oriental or Asiatic lilies, martagon lilies like their feet in the shade and flowers in the sun in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8.

These true lilies need a sheltered spot where they won't be subjected to wind and require excellent drainage. The variety 'R.O. Backhouse' pictured here features pink buds that open to gold flowers dusted with purple freckles.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 8
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Pink, purple

• Light:Full, Partial sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, enriched
  

• Mature Size:3-6 feet tall
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Himalayan Poppy (Papaver betonicifolia)

Previously known as:  Meconopsis betonicifolia. The allure of the Himalayan poppy is strong due to its hard-to-find blue color. These plants have very particular growing conditions in zones 3 to 7 and bloom for about two weeks.

These eye-catching mountain-grown plants have silky blooms; they are prized for their beauty. The national flower of Bhutan grows best in areas that resemble its native habitat, with cool summers and moist soil. They are only recommended for mountain rock gardens and best in the pacific northwest. 

• USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 7
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Blue

• Light:Dappled sunlight, partial sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
  

• Mature Size:Up to 4 feet tall
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Delphinium (Delphinium elatum)

Few flowers are as arresting as a healthy stand of Delphinium elatum in full bloom. Delphinium comes in coveted shades of blue from wispy powder puff blue to robust violet and purple. Delphiniums do well in areas with cool or mild summers in zones 3 to 7. They need rich soil, staking, and regular moisture. Delphiniums are extremely cold hardy, but they will not grow well in high humidity climates.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 7
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Powder blue to violet

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, rich
  

• Mature Size:3-5 feet tall; 2-3 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Toad Lily (Tryicyrtis hirta)

Although the exotic-looking toad lily (Tryicyrtis hirta) seems like a tender tropical plant, this shade-loving perennial is surprisingly hardy. The fall bloomers can grow in zone 4, which includes the northern U.S., and will slowly multiply in moist soils.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 8
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Blue, purple, white, pink, yellow

• Light:Partial shade

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  

• Mature Size:1-3 feet tall
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

Tip

When planting in the garden, make sure you mark where you have sown seeds and planted seedlings. Also, keep the seed packet or plant tag included with nursery transplants for easy reference for care instructions or the specific requirements.

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Foxglove (Digitalis pupurea)

Bumblebees flock to foxglove and love them so dearly they sometimes spend the night in the tubular blossoms so they can get an early start when the sun rises. Foxglove blooms are shaped like glove-like bells and come in various colors and unique patterns that make quite a statement when planted in groups.

These plants are biennial in zones 4-8, meaning they produce foliage their first year and flower the next. However, when self-seeding begins in partial shade and moist soil, you will always have one generation of plants ready to bloom while the next generation grows foliage and prepares to bloom next year. Try 'Mountains Mixed,' which has upright-facing flowers. Be aware that all parts of this plant are toxic to humans and animals.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 10
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Pink, purple, red, white, yellow

• Light:Full to partial sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  

• Mature Size:2-5 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Cockscomb (Celosia)

Whether you think Celosia argentea var. cristata is gaudy or gorgeous, no one can deny that the crested flowers are fascinating. Cockscomb flowers are annuals that are easy to grow from seed, and plants may even self-sow. In addition to magenta-red, these sun lovers come in orange, pink, yellow, and purple hues. Look for those in the 'Chief' series for big, showy plants, which can grow three feet tall and have blooms several inches across.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:9 to 12
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Red, orange, pink, yellow, and purple

• Light:Full to partial sun

• Soil Needs: Loamy, moist but well-drained, slightly acidic
  

• Mature Size:1-3 feet tall, 12 inches wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Protea (Protea cynaroides)

At the same time being both spiky and delicate, king protea (Protea cynaroides) evolved to survive in the harsh South African climate with dry, hot summers and wet, cold winters. while attracting pollinators . Protea plants are ancient flowers that developed more than 100,000 years ago. Grow protea in full sun and water sparingly. Plants are evergreen.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:7 to 9
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Pink, white, cream

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Sandy or loamy, well-drained
  

• Mature Size:3 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Love-Lies-Bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus)

Love-lies-bleeding plants are easy to grow as annuals in all growing zones. These plants bloom from July to frost in full sun, and blooming panicles can reach up to 2 feet long. The edible, nutritious seeds are a bonus. Also known as the tassel flower, Amaranthus caudatus makes a stunning hanging basket specimen.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:2 to 11
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Red

• Light:Full sun to partial shade

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained; average or poor; slightly acidic
  

• Mature Size:2-4 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

Tip

Cut edible flowers early in the morning when the flavors are most intense. To store them, put the flowers in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. They should last for a couple of days.

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Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)

Although non-native wisteria varieties like Chinese wisteria ( Wisteria sinensis ) have an invasive reputation in the garden, a well-maintained native wisteria vine (Wisteria frutescens or Wisteria macrostachya) in full bloom looks luscious with its stunning, sweet-smelling flowers. Prune and train them over a sturdy structure like an arbor or gazebo, as most trellises can't do the job. Vines are hardy to zone 5.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:5 to 9

• Flower Color Varieties:Bluish-purple, mauve, white

• Light:Full to partial sun

• Soil Needs: Medium moist, well-draining
  

• Mature Size:15–25 feet long, 4–8 feet spread
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Passionflower has unusual-looking yet exquisite flowers that remain open for only about a day. It has intricate details, with a broad, flat petal base with five or 10 petals appearing in a disc form. Passionflowers are rapid growers and are best planted in spring or early fall.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:5 to 9
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Purple, blue, pink, red, white

• Light:Partial to full sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
  

• Mature Size:6–30 feet tall, 3–6 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:No

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Anemone

Also called windflowers, anemones look similar to poppy or dogwood blooms, swaying delicately in the breeze. The flowers are usually simple single blossoms, though some types feature double flowers. They vary in size, but most flowers are two to five inches in diameter. Fall-blooming anemones (the Japanese anemone) have taller, cup-shaped blossoms, while spring-blooming varieties like Grecian windflower ( Anemone blanda ) and Poppy anemone ( Anemone coronaria ) grow shorter.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 10
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Pink, red, purple, and white

• Light:Partial sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  

• Mature Size:Japanese anemone 2-3 feet tall and wide; Grecian windflower 4-6 inches tall and wide; poppy anemone 8-10 inches tall
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Daffodil (Narcissus)

Daffodils are hardy, easy to grow, and are one of the most popular  spring-blooming bulbs . Blooms are usually yellow but can also be shades of orange or pink, and white, with more than 40 species and tens of thousands of hybrids. Also commonly called jonquils or narcissus, these cheerful signs that warmer weather is on its way can bloom in early, mid, or late spring, depending on the variety. Their botanical name is derived from Narcissus, a figure in Greek mythology who was a hunter who fell in love with his reflection.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 8
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Yellow, white, orange, red, pink

• Light:Partial to full sun

• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  

• Mature Size:6–30 inches tall, 6–12 inches wide 
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Hibiscus

The pretty blooms of this shrub appear late in the summer season when the rest of the garden is beginning to fade. The exotic trumpet flowers come in many colors and varieties, such as tropical hibiscus ( Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ), a hardy variety , or rose of Sharon ( Hibiscus syriacus )—the last two are better for colder climates. These flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:5 to 11
  

• Flower Color Varieties:White, red, pink, yellow, orange

• Light:Full to partial sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
  

• Mature Size:3-10 feet tall and 2-8 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:No

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Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica)

The showy blooms of the Japanese camellia ( Camellia japonica ) are the state flower of Alabama, a popular flower in the southern U.S. There are more than 3,000 types of camellias; most are slow-growing. The delicately layered petals are used in perfumes for their sweet fragrance. The blooms are popular with pollinating visitors. Deer don't seem to favor the flower, but young buds interest the grazers.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:7 to 9
  

• Flower Color Varieties:White, red, pink, lavender, or variegated

• Light:Partial sun

• Soil Needs: Loamy, clay, sandy
  

• Mature Size:7-12 feet tall, 5-10 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:No

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Million Bells (Calibrachoa)

Million bells  ( Calibrachoa ) look a lot like miniature petunias, but they are a separate annual species that bloom abundantly from spring to the first frost. These pretty flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies with many colors and contrasting veining, giving them vibrant visual interest. It's a spiller plant perfect for hanging baskets and containers.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:9 to 11; annual in colder zones
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Pink, yellow, red, violet, white, blue, magenta, bronze

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Rich; moist, well-drained; acidic
  

• Mature Size:6-12 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide
  

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Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

Balloon flowers ( Platycodon grandiflorus ) are an easy-to-grow  bellflower  perennial plant with puffy, balloon-like buds that swell to produce the 2 to 3-inch star-shaped flowers. This plant will flower in its first year and summer with intense blue-violet flowers. Some cultivars have white and pink blooms.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 8
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Blue, violet, white, pink

• Light:Full to partial sun

• Soil Needs: Rich, loamy, medium moisture, well-draining
  

• Mature Size:1–2.5 feet tall, 1–1.5 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)

Columbine ( Aquilegia spp. ) blooms look exotic, like ornate works of art with spurs and delicate petals that attract hummingbirds. This  herbaceous perennial  comes in many colors and is generally planted in early spring, blooming for four weeks about mid-spring. If you allow the plant to go to seed, it will easily self-sow. It's a tough, cold-hardy plant for your garden, although short-lived.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 8
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, pink, white

• Light:Full to partial sun

• Soil Needs: Sandy, loamy, moist but well-drained; slightly acidic
  

• Mature Size:1-3 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

If you're looking for a stalky, showy, 6 to 8-foot-tall plant with big blossoms in luscious colors, hollyhock is a must-have for any cottage garden. It has large, heart-shaped foliage and long-blooming flowers in many colors. Hollyhocks are biennial plants that live for only two years; they grow foliage in their first year and produce blooms in their second year.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:2 to 10
  

• Flower Color Varieties:White, pink, red, yellow, lavender

• Light:Full sun; tolerates partial sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  

• Mature Size:6-8 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:No

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Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)

Pretty hyacinths produce spikes of brightly colored tubular flowers with a strong floral scent. Deer tend to avoid strong-scented flowers, including Hyacinthus orientalis. You can choose from 60 varieties in many colors: white, blue, yellow, peach, purple, lavender, pink, and maroon. Hyacinth bulbs are planted in the fall and flower in early to mid-spring

• USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 8
  

• Flower Color Varieties:White, blue, purple, pink, red

• Light:Full to partial sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained; slightly acidic
  

• Mature Size:6–12 inches tall, and 3–6 inches wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtium are fast-growing climbing and vine-like annuals with cheery flowers that come in fiery shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and salmon. The rounded lily-pad-looking leaves frame the funnel shape of the flowers with a little spur on the underside. It's a low-maintenance beauty that grows in poor soil and can withstand drought. This edible plant is safe to have around children and pets. It's not a favorite deer food, but a hungry deer will eat anything.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:2 to 11
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Red, orange, pink, yellow, cream

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  

• Mature Size:1-10 feet tall; 1-3 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Seldom damaged by deer

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Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)

Moss rose is a drought- and heat-tolerant annual plant that is low-growing with succulent leaves. It will flower all season in gorgeous yellow, red, pink, salmon, white, and orange shades and often have ruffled petals. These photo-sensitive blooms grow in clusters on reddish stems, opening with the sunlight and closing at night and remaining closed on cloudy days.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:2 to 11
  

• Flower Color Varieties:White, orange, yellow, red, pink

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Sandy, well-drained
  

• Mature Size:3–9 inches tall, 6–12 inches wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Zinnia

Zinnias are very easy to grow from seed or from nursery transplants. They tolerate drought, heat, and deer. They bloom easily with bold-colored rounded blooms. Flower forms vary from daisy-like, double, or cactus-flowered. They come in tall and dwarf varieties and are loved by pollinators.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:Perennial in 9 to 11; annual in 2 to 8
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Pink, purple, yellow, orange, lavender, white, red, and green; solid, bi-color, or patterned

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile
  

• Mature Size:1-4 feet tall, 12-18 inches wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes

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Sunflower

The cheerful, tall blooms of sunflowers tower above the other plants and flowers in your garden. These summer annuals bring warm yellows and reds to your garden, and there's nothing more carefree than a field of vibrant sunflowers. They grow quickly from seed, as long as you wait until the soil temperature has reached at least 55°F.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:2 to 11
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Yellow, red, mahogany, bicolors 

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Well-drained, acidic, neutral, alkaline
  

• Mature Size:3–10 feet tall, 1.5–3 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:No
  

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Water Lily

Water lilies appear to float above the water, though they're actually rooted in the soil that's underneath. These fragrant flowers have a long bloom time, from June to October. While they're typically grown outside, you can also grow them indoors under the right conditions.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 10
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Blue, purple, yellow, red, white, pink, orange

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Loamy, clay, silt, sandy, neutral
  

• Mature Size:3-6 inches tall, 4-8 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:No
  

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Bleeding Heart

Bleeding heart is one of the most unusual-looking flowers, and it pops up as a woodland plant in its native region of Appalachia. These shade-loving plants have uniquely shaped magenta blooms that return every spring and then, often, die back as soon as they're done flowering.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 9
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Pink, white, red

• Light:Partial, shade

• Soil Needs: Well-drained, moist, acidic, neutral
  

• Mature Size:1–3 feet tall, 2–3 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes
  

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Lavender

The fragrant blooms of lavender make it a favorite of gardeners looking for a beautiful flowering plant that smells as good as it looks. It's also easy to grow, somewhat drought-tolerant, and can be grown as an evergreen or a perennial depending on your region.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:5a to 9a
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Purple

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Dry, well-draining, alkaline
  

• Mature Size:2–3 feet tall, 2–4 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes
  

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Plumeria

Plumeria's cheery five-petaled tropical flowers are deliciously fragrant and a classic choice for warm-weather gardens. These are the flowers that are often used in Hawaiian leis, and their vibrant colors are joyful and bright. Plumeria can grow up to 30 feet tall, so if you're in a warm climate and you plant a plumeria, be ready to commit to a sizable plant.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:10 to 11
  

• Flower Color Varieties:White, yellow, pink, red, orange, and red
  

• Light:Full sun, partial

• Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy, well-drained, acidic, neutral
  

• Mature Size:10-30 feet tall, 20-25 feet wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes
  

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Stargazer Lily

If you want to plant a flower that isn't afraid of putting on a show, the stargazer lily will do just that. The large, show-stopping blooms are 6 inches across, and they have lots of fragrance, color, and exaggerated details like the curled petals and long stamen. Ideally, these bulbs should be planted in the fall.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 9
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Pink, white

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, well-draining, neutral, acidic
  

• Mature Size:4 feet tall, 1 ft. wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes
  

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Daisy

The joyful blooms of the English daisy, or the common daisy, are a classic sign of spring and summer. These multi-petaled blooms are technically perennials, though most people will go stock up on them as annuals each year. They can bloom throughout the season, spreading happily as they go.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 8
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Pink, white, red

• Light:Partial

• Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, acidic, neutral, alkaline 
  

• Mature Size:3–6 inches tall, 3–9 inches wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes
  

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Marigold

The warm, abundant blooms of marigolds are a reliable annual that's also a favorite companion plant for gardeners looking to protect their herbs and vegetables. The strong smell of marigolds turns off many critters and insects, letting the flowers serve as a barrier to more delicate plants. But their vibrant color and easy-to-grow nature are their biggest appeal.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:2 to 11
  

• Flower Color Varieties:Yellow, orange, white, red, gold, bicolor
  

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Evenly moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
  

• Mature Size:4–48 inches tall, 6–24 inches wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes
  

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Snapdragon

Snapdragon's unique blooms are a garden staple throughout spring, fall, and even summer if the weather doesn't get too hot. They bloom abundantly, producing even more flowers if you have the time to deadhead. You can get multiple varieties of snapdragons, including small snapdragons that grow just a few inches tall and others that can reach 4 feet.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:7 to 11
  

• Flower Color Varieties:White, yellow, pink, red, orange, purple
  

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining, acidic, neutral
  

• Mature Size:6–48 inches tall, 6–12 inches wide
  

• Deer Resistant:Yes
  

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Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are known for the mounds of color they produce in the fall, when their tight masses of blooms take over autumnal gardens. Their rich, vibrant colors are beautiful when purchased as annuals for your front porch, but you can also plant them in the spring to grow as perennials that will come back yearly.

• USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 9
  

• Flower Color Varieties:White, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple
  

• Light:Full sun

• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, acidic, neutral
  

• Mature Size:2-3 feet tall
  

• Deer Resistant:No
  

Frequently asked Questions

What are the prettiest flowers for bouquets?

Whether it's for a wedding bouquet or the vase, some of the prettiest flowers for bouquets include roses, peonies, dahlias, hydrangeas, anemones, and tulips.

What is the prettiest and rarest flower in the world?

Although the Japanese camellia is on our list above, the Middlemist Red camellia ( Camellia japonica 'Middlemist's Red') is said to be the rarest, most beautiful flower in the world. It is a deep pink blossom that is nearly extinct in the wild because it was overharvested in China.

What is the world's prettiest flower?

There is not one flower that is considered the prettiest flower in the world. So many flowers are considered pretty for different reasons. Some flowers are delicate, while others are big and bold. Others, like roses, are considered the most elegant flowers in the world.

Read the original article on The Spruce