Raised garden beds are a popular and practical way to grow a beautiful and bountiful garden, but choosing the right flowers can make all the difference. These beds can improve drainage and soil quality, allowing a wider variety of flowering plants to thrive.1
With the right knowledge and creativity, you can transform your raised beds into a colorful oasis that will envy the neighborhood. Here are the 10 best flowers for raised beds that will bloom all season long and create a garden that will take your breath away.
1. Zinnias
Zinnias are a top choice for raised beds due to their quick growth, vibrant colors, and long blooming season. These annuals can be grown from seed and bloom just two months after planting.
They thrive in the well-drained soil of raised beds and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Planting Tips:
- Plant zinnia seeds directly in the raised bed after the last frost
- Choose a sunny location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day
- Space seeds about 6 inches apart and cover with 1/4 inch of soil
- Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy
2. Marigolds
Marigolds are beautiful and serve as excellent companion plants in raised beds. Their strong scent helps deter pests like nematodes and other harmful insects.
This plant comes in bright shades of yellow, orange, and red, adding a cheerful pop of color to your garden.
Planting Tips:
- Start marigold seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost or purchase transplants
- Plant marigolds in a sunny spot, spacing them about 10 inches apart
- Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering
- Water deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry between waterings
3. Lavender
Lavender is a perennial herb that not only adds beauty to your raised beds but also offers a delightful fragrance and attracts pollinators.
Once established, lavender plants are extremely low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making them perfect for busy gardeners.
Planting Tips:
- Choose a well-draining raised bed in a sunny location
- Plant lavender transplants in the spring, spacing them 12-18 inches apart
- Prune lavender plants annually in the spring to maintain their shape and promote healthy growth
- Avoid overwatering, as lavender prefers dry soil between waterings
4. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a classic choice for raised beds, offering height, texture, and a sunny yellow color.
They grow quickly in the rich, well-draining soil of raised beds and can even serve as natural trellises for climbing plants like beans.
Planting Tips:
- Plant sunflower seeds directly in the raised bed after the last frost
- Choose a variety that suits your space, from dwarf varieties to giant cultivars
- Space seeds about 6 inches apart and 1 inch deep
- Water regularly and deeply, especially during dry spells
5. Cosmos
Cosmos are tall, airy flowers that add a delicate touch to raised beds while attracting various pollinators. They are easy to grow from seed and thrive in the well-drained soil of raised beds.
This plant comes in shades of pink, white, and orange, providing your garden with a soft and romantic look.
Planting Tips:
- Sow cosmos seeds directly in the raised bed after the last frost
- Choose a sunny location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day
- Space seeds about 12 inches apart and cover with 1/4 inch of soil
- Water regularly until plants are established, then reduce watering to once a week
6. Black-Eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans are a classic choice for raised beds. They offer vibrant yellow petals with dark centers that bloom from midsummer to fall.
These hardy perennials are beautiful and attract butterflies and other pollinators to your garden.
Planting Tips:
- Plant Black-eyed Susans in full sun to partial shade
- Space plants about 18 inches apart in well-draining soil
- Water regularly during the first growing season to establish deep roots
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering
7. Petunias
Petunias are a popular choice for raised beds due to their wide range of colors and long blooming period.
These low-maintenance annuals thrive in the well-draining soil of raised beds and can spill over the edges, creating a beautiful cascading effect.
Planting Tips:
- Plant petunias after the last frost in spring
- Choose a sunny location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight
- Space plants about 12 inches apart
- Water deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry between waterings
8. Coneflowers
Coneflowers, or Echinacea, are excellent perennials for raised beds, offering long-lasting blooms and attracting pollinators.
These native plants are drought-tolerant once established and come in various colors beyond the traditional purple.
Planting Tips:
- Plant coneflowers in full sun to partial shade
- Space plants about 18-24 inches apart
- Water regularly during the first growing season, then reduce watering once established
- Leave seed heads in place over winter to provide food for birds
9. Dianthus
Dianthus, also known as pinks, are perfect for raised beds due to their compact size and fragrant blooms.
These low-growing perennials or biennials offer a range of pink, red, and white flowers that bloom from spring to fall.
Planting Tips:
- Plant dianthus in full sun to partial shade
- Space plants about 6-12 inches apart in well-draining soil
- Water regularly, but avoid overwatering as dianthus prefer slightly dry conditions
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming
10. Blanket Flower
Blanket flowers, or Gaillardia, are excellent choices for raised beds in hot, sunny locations.
These drought-tolerant perennials offer daisy-like flowers in warm red, orange, and yellow shades, blooming from early summer to fall.
Planting Tips:
- Plant blanket flowers in full sun
- Space plants about 15-18 inches apart in well-draining soil
- Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry between waterings
- Deadhead spent blooms to promote continuous flowering
Incorporating these diverse and resilient flowers into your raised beds will create a stunning, low-maintenance garden that blooms throughout the season.
Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect mix for your unique garden space, and enjoy the beauty and benefits these flowers bring to your outdoor oasis.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.