Do you want a gorgeous garden, but don’t have the time or the green thumb? Don’t worry, this article includes six super easy to grow plants that also look gorgeous! If you are looking for hedges instead, then check out this post. 

Gardening is a hobby that I love dearly. I find myself spending hours pruning roses, picking weeds, checking soil pH levels, and ensuring all of my flowers are healthy and happy. However, as much as I love gardening, I have killed my fair share of plants on the way. If it wasn’t for the hours of searching “easy to grow flowers” “new gardener tips” “gardening help!” on Google, Youtube, and Pinterest–  I am sure my backyard would look like a disaster.

However, over the years I have learned that gardening doesn’t have to be a difficult experience. 

There are many plants that require minimal effort, and grow with or without your help!

Personally, I am a sucker for colorful flowers with luscious blooms, and I have never been able to figure out what flowers are both easy to grow and also stunningly beautiful.

However, after much trial and error, I can now share six easy to grow flowers that are a must for your garden, especially if you are someone with a hectic busy schedule.

Let me know which one of these flowers you have added to your garden in the comment section below!

Easy to Grow Flowers for Your Garden

Bleeding Hearts
Lamprocapnos spectabilis

I know what you are thinking.. Yes, this plant looks like the brain-child of Edgar Allan Poe, but if you like a dark, eeyrie flare, then this is a must-have for your garden!

Grows in Hardiness Zones 2 to 9

Bleeding Hearts are a herbaceous perennial, which means that it dies down each year, but its roots stay intact. Therefore, when you see the plant look like it has died– do not dig it out, as it will come back more lively and healthy every Spring! These plants are best planted in a semi-shaded area, with indirect sunlight! Therefore, if your home is on the side of the street where your neighbors have all the pretty flowers due to ample sunlight– well, you’re in luck– as these flowers will thrive on your side of the shady front yard!  

Columbine 
Aquilegia

These flowers look gorgeous outdoors and also make the perfect cut flowers to put into a vase indoors. The best part about these flowers is that any beginner gardener can grow them! 

Grows in Hardiness Zones 3 to 9

The Columbine flower is a herbaceous perennials, and blooms from spring to summer.   These super easy to grow flowers come in beautiful varieties and can really brighten your garden! You can either sow seeds indoors in late Winter or plant them directly outdoors in late summer. If you are going to plant outdoors, make sure to loosen the soil about six inches, and add a mixture of leaf mulch and some garden soil before sprinkling seeds to the surface. By loosening the soil, the seeds will have the ability to establish their roots before the first frost. Then, keep the soil moist and you should be greeted by these beauties in early spring!

English Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia

As you can see from this gorgeous field of English Lavender, this plant takes off when planted. This can be used as a great decorative border, or to fill up areas in your yard that needs more life!

Grows in Hardiness Zones 5 to 8

My neighbors front yard has a pathway lined up with English Lavender, and with minimal work, I have watched these bluish-purple flower shine through late spring and into summer. The best part, these plants bring in lots of butterflies, repels deers, and sends a wave of aromatic scents with every passing breeze. If you have sandy, dry-soil then this plant will thrive and be extra easy to grow in your area. Young plants are best planted in spring, whereas larger more established plants can be planted in the fall. Simply plant Lavender two feet apart, and only water once a week, as these guys thrive in dryer temperatures!

When you are ready to prune, remove one third of the top, and now you have material to make arrangements, lavender-infused essential oils, lotion bars, and even a DIY ear-infection remedy! 

Clematis
Clematis occidentalis

This flower gets its name from the Ancient Greek “Klema” meaning the shoot or the branch of a vine. No wonder, this plant is now referred to as the “Queen of Climbers.”

Grows in Hardiness Zones 4 to 9

 If you have an arbor or a trellis that needs a make-over, then invest in a Clematis plant. In a few years, the arbor or trellis will be home for long vines with large blossoms, bringing it a colorful new life. Ideally, you want to plant the Clematis in spring, so that the plant has time to establish its roots before the first frost.

To get started, you need to dig a hole at least double the size of the plant (24 inches by 24 inches is a recommended width and depth). If you purchased your plant in a garden pot, I would recommend soaking the roots in the pot for 10 minutes before transplanting it into your garden. Your Clematis prefers moist, well-drained soil, so after placing your plant in its new home, ensure that you are using lots of compost and granular organic fertilizer. 

You might be thinking, “well these are not easy to grow” or that growing these climbing queens seems a bit challenging. However, with the rate and speed that these grow, and the little care that they require after planting, you will find them to be worth the small investment! 

Peony 
Paeonia spp

Do you love large, delicate, double-bloomed flowers? Well, these flowers are a must-have for anyone who wants to add a showstopper to their garden!

Grows in Hardiness Zones 3 to 7

 Peonies are my favorite flowers of all time. The majestic blooms and sweet scent of the peony flower always mesmerizes me in the garden, and also brightens up any room that has them clipped and added to a vase. I think the main reason peonies are my favorite is because they look like they would require so much effort, but truth be told, these resilient flowers take little to no work! Order or pick up some peonies from a local nursery, and dig a generous sized hole– 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep, drop the roots in while making sure that it is about two inches above the soil surface, and then cover it with well-drained soil. The key here is to make sure that the plant is in a sunny or semi-sunny spot, and that the roots aren’t planted too deep, and that the soil is a mixture of backfill and garden soil. 

Then, let the magic happen– the trick with Peonies is that they take a few years to give you magnificent flowers. These easy to grow flowers also have the potential to outlive you (they can stay alive for over 100 years!!!)

Lily of the Valley 
Convallaria majalis

The little flowers on this rapid growing plant reminds me of little tea cups from Beauty and the Beast. However, don’t be deceived by their pretty looks, as they also have a dark side (if you have seen Season 4 of the TV show Breaking Bad, then you will know what I am referring to!) 

Grows in Hardiness Zones 2 to 9

Lily of the Valley might be one of the easiest plants to grow on this list. Even with its small flowers, the plant is one of the most fragrant gems you can add to your garden. However, be warned as this plant is super low-maintenance and is an excellent ground cover, so you may find it taking over your garden. Though, if you have ever seen a bouquet made with the stems and leaves of this plant, you might actually want to have this beauty all over your yard. 

Lily of the Valley prefers moist soil with partial sun, but can thrive even in pretty dry, partially sunny locations. The key to growing these is to add the plant to your garden in late fall, while using loose organic soil. With some continuous watering in late fall, your plant will be set to survive the winter, and then you can expect beautiful blooms year after year– it doesn’t get easier than that!

Comment below with an easy to grow flower that you recommend!