Top 10 Flowers for Seattle Gardens

Like a painter’s palette, each flower adds its unique color and character to the landscape.

• Local Adaptability: These flowers thrive in Seattle’s mild, moist climate and can withstand its seasonal variations.
• Ecological Benefits: Many of these flowers attract pollinators, contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem health.
• Photo Credits: Check out Home Depot for the latest selection of home and garden

As a beginner, navigating the world of flowers can be overwhelming, but with so many stunning options, it’s worth the journey! Seattle gardens are a haven for flower enthusiasts, and these top 10 picks not only add vibrancy to your outdoor space but also provide ecological advantages.

1. Tulip (Tulipa spp.)

• Why It’s Used:
  • Spring Bloomer: Tulips are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, bringing vibrant color after the winter.
  • Variety: Available in numerous colors and shapes, allowing for creative garden designs.
• Benefits:
  • Easy to plant and care for, making them suitable for novice gardeners.
  • Great for mass plantings, borders, or mixed flower beds.
  • Visit Home Depot for more info

2. Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)

• Why It’s Used:
  • Naturalizing Ability: Daffodils multiply over time and can return year after year.
  • Deer and Rodent Resistant: Their strong scent deters animals from eating them.
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• Benefits:
  • Provides cheerful yellow blooms in early spring, brightening up gardens.
  • Ideal for naturalized areas and perennial borders.
  • Visit Home Depot for more info

3. Peony (Paeonia spp.)

• Why It’s Used:
  • Large, Fragrant Blooms: Peonies are known for their showy flowers and delightful fragrance.
  • Longevity: Can thrive for decades, making them a long-term investment for gardens.
• Benefits:
  • Attracts pollinators and adds elegance to gardens with lush blooms.
  • Great for cutting and bringing indoors.
  • Visit Home Depot for more info

4. Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)

• Why It’s Used:
  • Colorful Blooms: Offers a range of colors from pink to blue, depending on soil pH, adding versatility to garden designs.
  • Long Blooming Period: Blooms from mid-summer to fall, providing color for an extended period.
• Benefits:
  • Thrives in Seattle’s moist climate, requiring regular watering but flourishing in the right conditions.
  • Ideal for foundation plantings and mixed borders.
  • Visit Home Depot for more info

5. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

• Why It’s Used:
  • Fragrant Foliage: Known for its soothing scent, lavender adds a sensory element to gardens.
  • Pollinator Friendly: Attracts bees and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of gardens.
• Benefits:
  • Drought-resistant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice.
  • Great for borders, herb gardens, and cottage-style gardens.
  • Visit Home Depot for more info

6. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

• Why It’s Used:
  • Vibrant Colors: Available in a wide range of bright colors, zinnias bring cheer to any garden.
  • Easy to Grow: Fast-growing and tolerant of heat, making them suitable for Seattle’s summers.
• Benefits:
  • Attracts butterflies, making gardens more lively.
  • Ideal for cut flower arrangements due to their long-lasting blooms.
  • Visit Home Depot for more info

7. Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Why It’s Used:
  • Bold, Sunny Blooms: The bright yellow flowers with dark centers add color and vibrancy to gardens.
  • Resilient: Tolerates various soil types and conditions, thriving in full sun to partial shade.
• Benefits:
  • Blooms from summer to early fall, extending the color in gardens.
  • Excellent for naturalistic and cottage-style gardens.
  • Visit Home Depot for more info

8. Salvia (Salvia spp.)

• Why It’s Used:
  • Attractive to Pollinators: Known for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
  • Long Bloom Time: Provides blooms from late spring through summer.
• Benefits:
  • Drought-tolerant and hardy, making it suitable for low-maintenance gardens.
  • Adds vertical interest with its tall flower spikes.
  • Visit Home Depot for more info

9. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)

• Why It’s Used:
  • Bright, Cheerful Flowers: Offers sunny yellow blooms that brighten up any garden space.
  • Long Blooming Period: Blooms from late spring to fall, providing consistent color.
• Benefits:
  • Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects, enhancing garden biodiversity.
  • Tolerates poor soil conditions and is drought-resistant once established.
  • Visit Home Depot for more info

10. Aster (Aster spp.)

• Why It’s Used:
  • Fall Bloomer: Provides color in late summer and fall when many other flowers have faded.
  • Diverse Colors: Available in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white, adding variety to the garden.
• Benefits:
  • Attracts butterflies and other pollinators, contributing to a healthy ecosystem.
  • Great for mixed borders and wildflower gardens.
  • Visit Home Depot for more info

Flower Comparison Chart

Flower	Pros	Cons	Usage
Tulip (Tulipa spp.)	Spring bloomer, bringing vibrant color after winter Available in numerous colors and shapes Easy to plant and care for Great for mass plantings and mixed flower beds	Short blooming period Bulbs can rot in overly wet conditions	Ideal for borders, containers, and seasonal displays
Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)	Naturalizes easily and multiplies over time Deer and rodent resistant due to strong scent Cheerful yellow blooms in early spring	Leaves can be unattractive post-bloom May require division every few years for best performance	Perfect for naturalized areas and perennial borders
Peony (Paeonia spp.)	Large, fragrant blooms that add elegance Long-lived, thriving for decades Attracts pollinators	Requires well-drained soil to prevent root rot Can be heavy and may require staking	Great for cutting gardens and ornamental landscapes
Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)	Colorful blooms vary with soil pH Long blooming period from mid-summer to fall Thrives in Seattle’s moist climate	Requires regular watering Can be susceptible to pests and diseases	Ideal for foundation plantings and mixed borders
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)	Fragrant foliage adds a sensory element Attracts bees and butterflies Drought-resistant once established	May not thrive in overly wet conditions Requires well-drained soil	Great for borders, herb gardens, and cottage-style gardens
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)	Vibrant colors bring cheer to gardens Easy to grow and heat tolerant Attracts butterflies	Short lifespan; considered annuals May require deadheading for prolonged blooms	Ideal for cut flower arrangements and colorful borders
Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) (Rudbeckia hirta)	Bold, sunny blooms add vibrancy Resilient in various soil types and conditions Blooms from summer to early fall	Can self-seed and become invasive Requires full sun for optimal growth	Excellent for naturalistic and cottage-style gardens
Salvia (Salvia spp.)	Attractive to pollinators like bees and hummingbirds Long bloom time from late spring to summer Drought-tolerant and hardy	Some varieties can become leggy without pruning May require regular deadheading	Adds vertical interest and color to gardens
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)	Bright, cheerful flowers for any garden space Long blooming period from late spring to fall Tolerates poor soil conditions and drought	May require division every few years Some varieties may not be perennial in all regions	Great for mixed borders and wildflower gardens
Aster (Aster spp.)	Fall bloomer providing late-season color Diverse colors add variety to the garden Attracts butterflies and other pollinators	May become invasive if not managed Can require staking in windy areas	Excellent for mixed borders and wildflower gardens

Perennial Flowers

These flowers return year after year:

1. Peony (Paeonia spp.) – Perennial
2. Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.) – Perennial
3. Lavender (Lavandula spp.) – Perennial
4. Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) (Rudbeckia hirta) – Perennial
5. Salvia (Salvia spp.) – Perennial
6. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) – Perennial
7. Aster (Aster spp.) – Perennial

Annual Flowers

These flowers complete their life cycle in one growing season:

1. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) – Annual (though some cultivars can behave as short-lived perennials in certain climates)

Bulbs (Not Annual, Not Perennial)

These flowers typically grow from bulbs and may behave differently based on the climate:

1. Tulip (Tulipa spp.) – Considered a bulb (usually treated as annuals in some regions, but they can naturalize and come back for several years if the conditions are right).
2. Daffodil (Narcissus spp.) – Considered a bulb (perennial in nature, returning year after year).