June 4, 2026
Patriotism is making a sweeping splash across our great country with landscapes transitioning into vibrant and colorful vistas of red, white and blue. Local garden centers have joined in the celebratory plans with creative patriotic pots ready for purchase. Over the next thirty days the United States of America will experience an explosion of fireworks, festive gatherings and joy-filled enthusiasm for this wonderful place we call home!
Gardens everywhere are beginning to look like true expressions of American pride, as well. From residential neighborhoods to shopping areas, schools and churches across the metroplex, let’s take a moment to enjoy the local scenery. It’s a wonderful time to embrace the patriotic spirit of red, white and bloom!
Here are a few of my 2026 top choices for lighting up the summer garden with flowers that pay tribute to colors found in the American flag:
Red stripes represent hardiness and valor!
Red pentas in the garden have an electrifying effect. Their hardiness level is impressive with bloom time starting in late spring and continuing well into fall. One of their most distinctive features is the clusters of star-shaped flowers which are attractive to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. They thrive in full sun to partial shade.
The vigorous blooms of verbena, ‘homestead red’, function as both spillers and fillers. Mine were selected for their mounding-trailing habit which will work well in front of the taller Mystic Spires Salvia.
The fiery red flowers of New Guinea impatiens paired with caladiums are an excellent choice for adding a burst of color to semi-shady garden beds or containers. As a heat tolerant perennial, expect to be dazzled by months of attractive blooms and long-lasting flowers.
White stripes on the American flag signify purity and innocence.
Flowers found in this camp act as brilliant anchors. For this reason, white pentas help to give off a crisp vibe which provides a necessary resting spot for the eyes.
Another favorite used seasonally throughout my garden are white dragon wing begonias. Once again, with a continuous bloom cycle beginning in late spring and performing beautifully until the first frost, begonias help to brighten up shadowy spaces. Their vibrant blooms and lush foliage provide a stunning compliment to shady areas of the garden.
Catharanthus Soiree Kawaii White Peppermint is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). You may know it best as the Madagascar periwinkle. They were available in quart-size containers at a local garden center so I snatched up seven of them to get started. I was impressed with the small five-petaled white blooms featuring a tiny red “’eye” in the center.
Blue on the American flag signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice.
Since early childhood, blue has always been my very favorite color. However, most blue flowers aren’t truly blue. Look closely and you’ll see shades of lavender or purple. Nevertheless, my perseverance in selecting blue flowers to complete the patriotic theme landed on the following:
The truest blue flower blooming in my garden from late spring to mid fall is, without a doubt, Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Blue’. Giving it the justice it so deserves, Mystic Spires was selected to be the unifying plant throughout all of my seasonal beds. With its sturdy deep blue flower spikes, this herbaceous perennial has continued to make an impressive statement in the garden.
Mystic Spires Blue is a recognized top performer and has earned the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society for delivering big on both beauty and reliability.
‘Blue My Mind’ Dwarf Morning Glory is another true blue flower that was introduced to my garden this season. It ranks among the best heat tolerant annual flowers.
A few years ago, I discovered Agapanthus ‘Lily of the Nile’ at a local garden center. It is an eye-catching perennial with exotic looking flowers that bloom continuously during the summer months. Now growing in a raised bed area around our Koi pond, the clusters of soft blue flowers atop stiff stalks give the area a more dramatic look.
One of the boldest blues in my garden is Veronica longifolia ‘Skyward Blue’. With a growth habit that seems to be reaching for the heaves, its vibrant blue flowers have a strong, pronounced presence in the garden. In Zone 8 it will provide color from late spring through summer.
From small vignettes to breathtaking vistas, the natural world is taking part in our 250th celebration of patriotism. Enjoy a refreshing glass of Blackberry Iced Tea or Strawberry Basil Lemonade with Basil-Lime Shortbread while viewing some of the ways master gardeners are creatively displaying their love of country with beautiful tributes to the red, white and blue!
Strawberry Lemonade with Basil Lime Shortbread and Blackberry Tea
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
“Thank You”! to North Haven Gardens for this stunning creation designed by
Laura Prentice, NHG Garden Advisor.
We are grateful to Rusty Allen, TCNP Events, Education and Outreach Coordinator,
along with the staff at North Havens Gardens for their gracious donation and support of our 2026 Patriotic Project.
As fillers, we chose Angel Wings Senecio for its unique velvety white leaves and Beats Red Verbena for its vibrant red blooms.
Our spillers in this pot are Creeping Jenny with its trailing bright green leaves and the cheerful summer White Cora Cascading Vinca. All of these plants are tolerant of our hot Texas summers and are great choices for sun to part-sun summer color!”
Laura Prenticer, NHG Garden Advisor
Strawberry Basil Lemonade Recipe
