Looking to add rich, lasting color to your garden without spending a fortune? I totally get it—plants can add up fast, and it’s frustrating when something only blooms for a week or two. That’s why I always keep an eye out for flowers that pull their weight all summer long.
Some of my favorite bloomers are surprisingly affordable and don’t ask for much beyond a sunny spot and the occasional watering. Once they get going, they’ll keep the color coming right into fall. It’s like getting a full season of joy for just a few bucks.
If you want nonstop blooms without nonstop spending, these reliable, budget-friendly flowers are a smart place to start. Let’s take a look at the ones that give you the most beauty for your buck.
1. Marigolds
You’ll get incredible bang for your buck with these golden beauties. For just a few dollars, a packet of seeds produces dozens of plants that flower continuously until frost.
My grandmother always planted these along her vegetable rows to deter pests naturally. The scent may be strong to some, but I’ve grown to associate it with summer sunshine and garden abundance.
Water at the base rather than overhead to prevent powdery mildew issues. Deadheading spent blooms once weekly keeps them looking fresh and encourages even more flowers throughout the season.
2. Zinnias
Starting these from seed costs next to nothing, and they reward with non-stop color from June until October. The candy-colored blooms come in every shade imaginable from soft pastels to vibrant jewel tones.
Last summer during a heat wave, while my other flowers wilted dramatically, the zinnias stood tall without complaint. They’ve become my reliable friends for hot, dry spots where other plants struggle.
Cut them freely for bouquets – the more you snip, the more they bloom. Leave a few to go to seed at season’s end, and you’ll have volunteers popping up next year.
3. Cosmos
For under $3, a seed packet provides enough daisy-like bloomers to fill an entire garden bed with dancing flowers all summer. Their delicate, ferny foliage adds a lovely texture contrast even before the blooms appear.
During a garden party last August, guests couldn’t believe these ethereal flowers came from such inexpensive seeds. The taller varieties create a dreamy backdrop that sways gently in summer breezes.
Plant them once and let them drop seeds naturally – they’ll return year after year without becoming invasive. The white varieties glow magically at dusk, creating a fairytale atmosphere in evening gardens.
4. Nasturtiums
The large, easy-to-handle seeds make these perfect for gardening with kids. Both the round leaves and bright flowers are edible, adding peppery flavor to summer salads.
When money was tight a few years back, I filled containers with these instead of pricier annuals. They cascaded beautifully over the edges all summer, bringing compliments from neighbors who thought I’d splurged on exotic plants.
No fertilizer needed – in fact, they bloom better in poor soil. The climbing varieties can transform a chain-link fence into a flowering wall for pennies, while bushy types make excellent ground covers.
5. Black-Eyed Susans
Once established, these native perennials return reliably year after year, making them incredibly economical. The cheerful yellow blooms with dark centers brighten up gardens from June through September.
A $5 plant from a local nursery sale has multiplied into dozens in my backyard over three years. They’ve become the backbone of my summer garden, requiring almost no maintenance once established.
Goldfinches visit daily to feast on the seeds, adding free entertainment to the garden show. Cutting some for indoor arrangements actually stimulates more blooming, extending their already impressive season.
6. Petunias
Garden centers often sell these in economical six-packs that quickly fill out to create waves of color. Modern varieties are self-cleaning, eliminating the tedious deadheading older types required.
After a devastating hailstorm destroyed half my garden plants, the petunias bounced back within days while other flowers never recovered. Their resilience in the face of summer storms has earned my lasting respect.
Sprinkle a bit of used coffee grounds around them monthly for an extra bloom boost. The night-scented varieties add an unexpected dimension to evening gardens, releasing their sweet perfume as the sun sets.
7. Sunflowers
From a $2 seed packet springs forth a dramatic display that can reach impressive heights in just weeks. The cheerful blooms track the sun throughout the day, creating a living garden animation.
Growing these with my niece has become our summer tradition. We measure their progress weekly, marveling at how quickly they transform from tiny seedlings to towering garden sentinels.
Beyond their ornamental value, the seeds provide a harvest for both humans and birds. The shorter varieties work beautifully in borders, while the giants create instant privacy screens or children’s hideaways.
8. Lantana
Often available as inexpensive 4-inch pots in spring, these tropical-looking flowers expand quickly into impressive mounds of color. The multi-colored flower clusters change hues as they age, creating a kaleidoscope effect in the garden.
During last summer’s drought, my lantanas never missed a beat while I watched neighbors water their thirsty plants daily. Their heat tolerance makes them perfect for hot, sunny spots where other flowers struggle.
Butterflies and hummingbirds flock to them all summer long, providing free pollination services and wildlife viewing. One plant can easily fill a large container or spread to cover several square feet in a garden bed.
9. Coreopsis
These daisy-like perennials deliver tremendous value, returning year after year with minimal care. The newer varieties bloom non-stop from early summer until frost without the mid-season pause common in older types.
When comparing garden expenses with a friend, we realized my $4 coreopsis plant had produced thousands of blooms over three years – pennies per flower! Their cheery disposition brightens even the dreariest summer days.
Dividing established clumps every few years yields free plants to spread around the garden or share with friends. Leave some seedheads standing in fall, and goldfinches will visit regularly to feast on the bounty.
10. Sweet Alyssum
A few dollars buys enough seeds to edge an entire garden bed with fragrant carpet-like growth. The honey-scented blooms attract beneficial insects that help control garden pests naturally.
Between the flagstones on my garden path, these tiny flowers have self-seeded into a fragrant walkway that releases its scent with each step. Guests always ask about the mysterious sweet smell that greets them.
The heat-tolerant varieties bounce back quickly after summer downpours. For continuous bloom, give them a quick trim when flowering slows – they’ll reward you with a fresh flush of blooms within days.
11. Verbena
Often overlooked at garden centers, these affordable bloomers outperform many pricier alternatives in summer heat. The clustered flowers come in jewel tones that hold their color without fading, even in intense sunlight.
After mistakenly planting mine in poor soil near my driveway, I was ready to write them off. To my surprise, they not only survived but thrived, teaching me an important lesson about resilience.
The spreading varieties make excellent ground covers in sunny spots, choking out weeds naturally. Their low water requirements make them perfect for gardeners looking to reduce summer irrigation without sacrificing color.
12. Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
Though slightly pricier initially than some others on this list, their spectacular blooming power makes them economical over the season. Small petunia-like flowers blanket the plants from spring until frost without deadheading.
My hanging basket by the kitchen window cost $8 last May and provided daily joy until October – far cheaper than weekly bouquets! Morning coffee tastes somehow better when enjoyed alongside these cheerful bloomers.
Unlike their petunia cousins, rain doesn’t damage the flowers, making them ideal for areas with summer thunderstorms. The compact growth habit works beautifully in containers where space is limited but impact is desired.
13. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
These native perennials deliver tremendous bang for your buck, returning for years with expanded growth each season. The daisy-like flowers in sunset colors seem to glow in the garden from June through September.
During a cross-country move, I had to leave my garden behind. The gaillardia was what I missed most – their cheerful faces had greeted me every summer morning for years without asking for anything in return.
Sandy soil that makes other plants struggle is perfect for these drought-tolerant beauties. After blooming, the interesting seedheads provide winter interest and food for finches when other garden offerings have disappeared.
14. Portulaca (Moss Rose)
Perfect for hot, dry spots where other flowers fail, these succulent-leaved bloomers thrive on neglect. The tissue-paper flowers open in sunshine and close at night, creating a daily garden performance.
An elderly neighbor shared cuttings from her plants years ago, telling me they survived the Dust Bowl on her family farm. That same cutting-grown plant now cascades from my window boxes, costing nothing but bringing priceless summer joy.
The fleshy stems store water, allowing them to sail through drought periods without wilting. Their low-growing habit makes them perfect for rock gardens, border edges, or any spot that gets too hot for fussier flowers.
15. Celosia
The unusual flower forms – from plumed feathers to corrugated brains – make these inexpensive annuals look far more exotic than their price suggests. Their saturated colors retain intensity even during August heat when other flowers fade.
Growing these reminds me of childhood gardens where their velvety textures invited curious fingers. Now I plant them in my front yard where neighborhood children can experience that same tactile delight.
Cut the flower heads before frost for dried arrangements that last months indoors. The taller varieties make statement plants in garden beds, while dwarf types add punch to container gardens without overtaking their neighbors.
16. Salvia
Annual varieties can be found inexpensively at spring sales, while perennial types offer years of returns on a modest investment. The spiky flower stalks add vertical interest to garden beds dominated by mounding shapes.
When garden center prices seemed too high last spring, I started these from cuttings taken from a friend’s established plants. Those free starts now form the backbone of my pollinator garden, attracting hummingbirds daily.
Many types bloom continuously without deadheading, though a mid-summer trim rejuvenates them for fall. The aromatic foliage naturally repels many garden pests, reducing the need for expensive treatments.
17. Geraniums
Though sometimes overlooked as old-fashioned, these workhorses deliver exceptional value with continuous blooms from spring through fall. Their ability to thrive in containers makes them perfect for adding color to patios and balconies.
A neighbor gave me cuttings from her overwintered plants – I rooted them in water on my kitchen windowsill. Those free starts now fill my window boxes with constant color that would have cost $40 at the garden center.
Pinching spent blooms takes seconds but stimulates weeks of fresh flowers. The scented-leaf varieties add sensory interest beyond their visual appeal, releasing their fragrance whenever brushed against or watered.
18. Gazania
These sun-loving daisies open wide on sunny days and close at night or during cloudy weather. Their metallic-streaked petals in bronze, orange, yellow and pink create an almost artificial-looking perfection.
During a particularly hot spell when my water bill was skyrocketing, these drought-tolerant beauties kept blooming while using minimal irrigation. Their silver-gray foliage adds interesting texture even when flowers are closed.
Plant them in the sunniest, hottest spots where other flowers struggle. Their low, spreading habit makes them excellent for front borders or rock gardens where their jewel-like blooms can be appreciated up close.
19. Vinca (Periwinkle)
Often available in economical multi-packs, these heat-loving annuals bloom continuously without deadheading. The glossy green foliage stays attractive even during summer’s most challenging conditions.
After watching neighbors struggle with expensive shade plants that wilted by July, I suggested these as alternatives. Their gardens now feature carefree color throughout summer’s hottest months without constant watering or replacements.
The trailing varieties work beautifully in hanging baskets, while upright types make tidy mounds in beds. Unlike many inexpensive annuals, they resist stretching and stay compact, maintaining their neat appearance from planting until frost.