Why not include the garden this year when decorating for your Fourth of July festivities? There is no shortage of red, white, and even blue flowers; however, finding combinations of flowers that bloom at the same time during the Fourth of July can be a chore. Not to worry: I have compiled a list of red, white, and blue flowers for planting as well as cutting that are as striking as fireworks and longer-lasting. Whether you're desiring cuts or a red white blue flower garden, you can definitely find something! The only problem you will have is deciding which red white blue flower to choose!
Red Flowers For non-stop blooming during the Fourth of July and throughout the summer, annuals can't be beaten. Some great red annuals for the sun are red salvia, petunias, geraniums, cockscomb, celosia, dianthus, and nasturtiums. For the shade, try red impatiens and begonias; also, coleus, caladium, and polka-dot plant feature red foliage that is just as showy as flowers. Red flowering perennials great for cutting are roses, astilbe, lilies, poker plant, and hollyhocks. Of course, it would be impossible to list all of the red flowers blooming during the Fourth of July, but this list should get you started.
White Flowers White annuals that do well in sun include some of those listed above - petunias, geraniums, and dianthus, for example. Snapdragons, sweet alyssum, dusty miller, and white gomphrenia are some others. For the shade, the same annuals that I listed above work well. When it comes to white perennials that are great for cutting, try Shasta daisies along with lilies, astilbe, roses, and white liatris. You can probably think of many more white flowers than I can list here, and a trip to the garden center is always inspirational!
Blue Flowers Blue flowers are usually the ones that stump us, since true blue is not a common color for flowers. Many times we cheat by using flowers that are purple-blue, and I don't see a problem with that. Some annuals that can be found in blue or close to blue that do well in sun are petunias, blue and black salvia, blue lobelia, ageratum, bachelor's button, and torenia, or wishbone flower. There are also some beautiful blue morning glories, but keep in mind that they are only in bloom in the morning. For blue perennials, nothing beats blue delphinium and larkspur, but false indigo, speedwell, love-in-a-mist, and Nikko Blue hydrangea are some others in bloom.
Winning Combinations Of course, the Fourth of July magic happens when red, white, and blue flowers are combined. Plant a flag-shaped garden full of some of the red, white, and blue annuals listed above and they are sure to be in bloom at the same time for the Fourth. If you don't want to try a flag, try alternating stripes or concentric circles. Containers full of red, white, and blue annuals on the porch are always a great way to decorate. Combine red and white geraniums in the middle flanked by blue lobelia and white alyssum trailing over the edges of the container. A taller plant in the middle works well in containers, too, like an ornamental grass or spike of foliage surrounded by red salvia, petunias, and verbena spilling over the edges. To dress up the inside of your home, take a trip to your garden to cut some of the red, white, and blue perennials and annuals mentioned above. Blue delphinium, red roses, and white snapdragons are beautiful together. The floral fireworks in your home and garden will be just as beautiful as those in the night sky.
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