10 Plants to Start Growing Now for a Summer Garden You'll Love • Schisandra & Bergamot

Looking to level up your garden this summer? Now’s the time to get your hands in the dirt and start planting. Whether you’ve got a big backyard or just a few pots on the patio, choosing the right plants now means a vibrant, thriving garden in the months ahead.

This list features 10 unique plants—some tasty, some beautiful, all easy to grow—that will bring life, color, and fresh flavor to your summer space. From bold blooms to homegrown produce, these picks are perfect for gardeners ready to try something a little different.

Sunflowers

Cheerful and iconic, sunflowers are easy to grow from seed and make a bold summer statement. Bonus: they feed pollinators now and birds later.

Summer Squash

Four yellow squash on a wooden surface, next to a folded yellow and white striped towel. — Photo Credit: MSPhotographic/Deposit Photos

Zucchini and yellow squash grow fast and yield heavily. A couple of plants can keep you stocked with fresh squash all summer—just be ready to get creative in the kitchen!

Calendula

A field of vibrant orange flowers with green foliage, bathed in sunlight. — Photo Credit: zoosnow/Pixabay

Also known as “pot marigold,” calendula adds bright orange and yellow blooms that are not only pretty but edible and great for skin-soothing salves.

Okra

A Southern favorite that handles heat like a champ. Okra grows tall and fast, producing pods ideal for roasting, frying, or adding to gumbo.

Nasturtiums

Orange nasturtium flowers with green leaves in sunlight. — Photo Credit: zoosnow/Pixabay

These cheerful flowers are edible, pest-resistant, and great companion plants. Their peppery leaves and blossoms add a gourmet twist to salads.

Lemongrass

Tropical vibes, right from your backyard. Lemongrass grows well in warm weather and adds fresh citrusy flavor to drinks, teas, and stir-fries.

Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)

An orange flower with a yellow center against a backdrop of green leaves. — Photo Credit: sarangib/Pixabay

If you want bold color and butterflies, plant Tithonia. These heat-loving, drought-tolerant flowers are pollinator magnets and bloom late into the summer.

Purslane

Orange flowers with red centers bloom among green foliage in a sunny garden setting. — Photo Credit: zoosnow/Pixabay

A hardy edible succulent that grows like a ground cover. Purslane has lemony leaves packed with nutrients and adds a fun texture to salads.

Bee Balm (Monarda)

A garden scene with vibrant pink and red bee balm flowers in the foreground, surrounded by various other colorful blooms and greenery. — Photo Credit: Roman Biernacki/Pexels

This pollinator favorite brings bold, firework-like blooms and attracts hummingbirds and bees. It thrives in full sun and adds major charm to borders.

Thai Basil

Fresh basil leaves with purple flowers clustered together. — Photo Credit: hamizan5169.gmail.com/Deposit Photos

A twist on traditional basil, Thai basil has a spicy, licorice-like flavor and deep purple stems. It’s great for cooking and gorgeous in the garden.

Mixing herbs, veggies, and flowers isn’t just pretty—it helps with pollination, pest control, and soil health. The more diverse your garden, the more it thrives.