Alabama’s warm, humid subtropical climate creates ideal conditions for a stunning variety of flowering plants to flourish throughout the year. Whether you’re drawn to native wildflowers like goldenrod and joe-pye weed, classic garden favorites such as hydrangeas and azaleas, or vibrant annuals like zinnias and marigolds, you’ll discover numerous options that thrive in Alabama’s unique growing conditions.
From delicate mountain laurel and Virginia bluebells to bold sunflowers and colorful salvias, your Alabama garden can showcase blooms from early spring through late fall. The state’s long summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall support both drought-tolerant perennials and moisture-loving annuals, giving you flexibility in creating the perfect landscape for your home.
50. Mountain Mint
Mountain Mint makes an excellent addition to your Alabama garden with its striking white-and-green summer blooms. This exceptional pollinator magnet attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout its long flowering period.
You’ll love how easy Mountain Mint is to grow and maintain. The plant thrives in Alabama’s climate and offers excellent deer tolerance, making it perfect for natural gardens.
Mountain mints from the genus Pycnanthemum create a buzzing paradise of pollinator activity all day long. Your garden will come alive with beneficial insects, moths, and various butterfly species.
This hardy perennial pairs beautifully with other tall native flowers. Plant it alongside coneflowers, Blazing Star, and Black-eyed Susan for a stunning display.
The fragrant foliage adds another dimension to your garden experience. You can enjoy both visual beauty and aromatic appeal throughout the growing season.
Mountain Mint spreads naturally to form attractive colonies over time. This growth habit makes it ideal for naturalizing larger areas or creating pollinator meadows in your landscape.
Your low-maintenance garden will benefit from this reliable native that returns year after year with minimal care required.
49. Columbine
Columbine makes a delightful addition to your Alabama garden with its unique spurred flowers and delicate appearance. These herbaceous perennials thrive in partial shade, making them perfect for areas where other flowers might struggle.
You’ll love the wide variety of colors available, from deep purples and blues to soft pinks and whites. Columbine varieties offer plenty of options to match your garden’s color scheme.
The flowers typically bloom in late spring and early summer, creating a stunning display when many other plants are just getting started. Each bloom features distinctive backward-pointing spurs that give the plant its characteristic look.
Your columbine plants will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. The nectar-rich flowers provide an excellent food source for these beneficial pollinators.
Plant columbine in well-draining soil with some organic matter mixed in. They prefer morning sun with afternoon shade, especially during Alabama’s hot summers.
These low-maintenance perennials will often self-seed, giving you new plants the following year. You can also collect seeds to plant elsewhere in your garden or share with friends.
Columbine works beautifully in woodland gardens, shade borders, or naturalized areas where you want a more relaxed, cottage-garden feel.
48. Dianthus
Dianthus flowers will add charm to your Alabama garden with their frilly, lace-like petals and sweet clove-like fragrance. These delightful blooms are often called “pinks” because of their fringed edges.
You can enjoy dianthus in many beautiful colors including pink, red, white, and purple. The flowers often appear in stunning bi-colors and patterns that will catch your eye.
Plant your dianthus in well-drained soil with full sun exposure for the best flowering performance. They prefer at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
These hardy flowers thrive in Alabama’s climate and work well in rock gardens, borders, and containers. You can choose from annual, perennial, or biennial varieties depending on your garden needs.
For continued blooms, deadhead your dianthus by snipping faded flowers just above the next set of leaves. This encourages more flowering throughout the growing season.
Your dianthus will also attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies with their nectar-rich blooms, making them perfect for pollinator gardens.
47. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding hearts bring enchanting charm to your Alabama garden with their distinctive heart-shaped flowers. These spring-blooming perennials prefer shade and create stunning displays each year.
You’ll find bleeding hearts grow well in zones three to eight, making them perfect for Alabama’s climate. The classic variety produces dangling pink or white heart-shaped blooms on arching stems.
Plant your bleeding hearts in partial to full shade with well-drained soil rich in organic matter. They thrive in cool, moist conditions and benefit from mulching to retain moisture.
Growing bleeding hearts in Alabama requires attention to soil preparation and moisture management. Water consistently during dry spells but avoid waterlogged conditions.
The King of Hearts variety offers better sun and heat tolerance than traditional types. This makes it especially suitable for Alabama’s warmer climate.
Despite their delicate appearance, bleeding hearts are hardy plants that return year after year. They naturalize well and create beautiful colonies over time.
Your bleeding hearts will bloom from late spring through early summer, adding romantic appeal to shaded garden areas.
46. Coreopsis Lanceolata
You’ll love growing lanceleaf coreopsis in your Alabama garden. This native North American wildflower produces cheerful daisy-like blooms that brighten any landscape.
The bright yellow flowers feature eight petals with toothed tips and flat center disks. Each bloom measures up to 2 inches across and sits atop slender, erect stems.
Your coreopsis will bloom from late spring through midsummer, giving you months of color. The lance-shaped leaves cluster near the base of the plant and have a narrow, hairy texture.
This perennial typically grows 2 feet tall and thrives in Alabama’s climate. You can plant it in prairies, meadows, or traditional garden beds where it naturalizes easily.
After establishment, your plants become drought tolerant and require minimal care. The flowers attract butterflies and native pollinators to your garden throughout the growing season.
Individual plants may be short-lived, but they self-sow readily to maintain the display. Deadhead spent blooms to extend the flowering period and encourage more blossoms.
45. Buttercup
Buttercups bring cheerful yellow blooms to your Alabama garden from spring through early summer. These hardy perennials thrive in the state’s warm, humid climate.
You’ll find buttercups easy to grow in most soil types. They prefer moist, well-draining soil and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade conditions.
The bright golden flowers create beautiful ground cover in your garden beds. Each bloom features five glossy petals that seem to glow in sunlight.
Plant buttercups in early spring for best results. They spread naturally through underground runners, filling in bare spots over time.
Your buttercups will attract bees and other pollinators to your garden. The flowers also make lovely additions to casual bouquets and arrangements.
These low-maintenance plants require minimal care once established. Water them during dry spells and divide clumps every few years to prevent overcrowding.
Buttercups work well along garden borders or in naturalized areas. You can also plant them near ponds or water features where they’ll appreciate the extra moisture.
The foliage remains attractive even after blooming ends. This makes buttercups valuable for extending visual interest in your flower beds throughout the growing season.
44. Shasta Daisy
Shasta daisies bring classic white blooms with bright yellow centers to your Alabama garden. These hardy perennials are perfect for southern gardeners who want reliable, cheerful flowers.
You’ll love how low-maintenance these plants are. They’re drought-tolerant once established and deer-resistant too.
Plant your Shasta daisies in full sun with well-draining soil. They can handle some light shade, especially during Alabama’s hot summers.
These versatile flowers grow 12-48 inches tall depending on the variety you choose. They spread 12-18 inches wide, making them perfect for borders or mass plantings.
You can plant them in front of bolder flowers to add texture and contrast. They also work beautifully lining walkways or mixed with herbs in seating areas.
The flowers bloom from summer through fall if you deadhead them regularly. This keeps your garden looking fresh and encourages more blooms throughout the growing season.
43. Sage
Sage offers beautiful purple-blue flower spikes that attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your Alabama garden. This hardy perennial thrives in the state’s warm climate and well-draining soil conditions.
You’ll love how easy sage is to grow and maintain. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade, making it versatile for different garden spots.
The aromatic foliage provides year-round interest even when not blooming. Plant sage in spring after the last frost for best establishment.
Regular watering during dry spells helps, but sage is quite drought-tolerant once established. You can harvest leaves for cooking while enjoying the ornamental flowers.
Sage works well in herb gardens, perennial borders, or naturalized areas. The silvery-green leaves create nice contrast with other flowering plants.
Deadheading spent flowers encourages more blooms throughout the growing season. You can also let some flowers go to seed to attract birds to your garden.
This low-maintenance plant rarely suffers from serious pest or disease problems. Sage typically grows 12-18 inches tall and spreads about the same width.
Winter protection isn’t usually necessary in Alabama’s climate. Your sage plants will return reliably each spring to provide another season of beauty.
42. Milkweed
Milkweed makes a stunning addition to your Alabama garden with its fragrant, colorful blooms. You’ll find several types of milkweed that thrive in Alabama’s warm climate, from butterfly weed to whorled milkweed.
The beautiful flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and honeybees to your garden. Butterfly weed produces vibrant orange blooms without the typical milky sap found in other varieties.
Whorled milkweed features delicate clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers that bloom during summer months. This variety prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure.
Alabama’s warm climate and abundant rainfall create ideal conditions for growing milkweed. You can easily incorporate these perennial plants into wildflower meadows or formal garden beds.
Your milkweed flowers work beautifully in cut flower arrangements. They also serve as important host plants for monarch butterflies, supporting local wildlife while adding natural beauty to your landscape.
Most milkweed varieties are relatively low-maintenance and perform well in dry conditions once established.
41. Oxeye Daisy
The oxeye daisy brings classic charm to your Alabama garden with its white petals and bright yellow center. This cheerful perennial wildflower thrives in the state’s climate and adds a rustic touch to any landscape.
You’ll love how easy these flowers are to care for. They adapt well to Alabama’s varying conditions and don’t require much maintenance once established.
Plant your oxeye daisies in well-draining soil where they’ll receive full sun to partial shade. These hardy plants can handle Alabama’s heat and humidity better than many other flowers.
Growing from seed works well if you want to start from scratch. Sow seeds in spring after the last frost for best results.
The plants typically reach heights of 1-2 feet and spread naturally through their root system. This makes them perfect for filling larger garden areas or creating natural meadow-like spaces.
You can also propagate through division to expand your collection. Simply separate established clumps and replant them in new locations around your garden.
40. Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vines are true showstoppers in Alabama gardens. These vigorous climbers can grow up to 30 feet tall if left unchecked, making them perfect for covering your trellises and fences.
You’ll love their large, trumpet-shaped flowers that burst into vibrant colors. The stunning blooms come in red, orange, yellow, and even purplish-red hues that create dramatic displays throughout the growing season.
These fast-growing perennials are incredibly hardy in Alabama’s climate. They thrive in zones four to nine and adapt well to your local growing conditions.
The trumpet-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. This makes them excellent choices for wildlife-friendly landscaping.
Plant your trumpet vines in spring or fall for best results. They prefer full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil that doesn’t stay soggy.
Keep in mind that these vines are vigorous growers. You’ll need to prune them regularly to keep them within bounds and prevent them from overtaking other plants in your garden.
39. Mountain Laurel
Mountain laurel brings stunning pink flower clusters to your Alabama garden. This evergreen shrub belongs to the heath family and creates beautiful displays from late spring through early summer.
You’ll love how this native flowering shrub forms compact, rounded crowns with thick, glossy leaves. The flowers attract pollinators while adding elegant beauty to your landscape.
Mountain laurel thrives in USDA Zones 5 to 9, making it perfect for Alabama’s climate. It adapts to various light conditions from full sun to deep shade.
For best results, plant your mountain laurel in cool, moist, acidic soil with good drainage. Add compost to enrich the soil and maintain pH levels below 6.
Dappled sunlight or partial shade works best, especially in Alabama’s hot summers. Avoid locations with intense reflected heat from walls.
Once established, your mountain laurel becomes drought tolerant with proper mulching. Prune within a few weeks after flowering ends to maintain shape and encourage next year’s blooms.
38. Evening Primrose
Evening primrose brings delightful color to your Alabama garden with flowers that bloom from spring to fall. These charming plants open their blooms in the afternoon or evening, giving you late-day garden beauty.
The bowl-shaped satiny white flowers are fragrant and age to show pink veins. They stay open until late morning, so you can enjoy them both evening and morning.
Evening primrose thrives in hardiness zones 4 to 9, making it perfect for Alabama’s climate. The plant handles poor soil conditions well and is quite hardy overall.
Pink Evening Primrose, or Oenothera Speciosa, is native to the Southeast, including regions like Alabama. This perennial goes by several names including Pink Ladies and Mexican Primrose.
If you have alkaline soil, evening primrose might work perfectly for your garden since it tolerates these conditions. The plant requires minimal maintenance while providing maximum visual impact for your outdoor space.
37. Goldenrod
Goldenrod brings stunning yellow blooms to your Alabama garden from late summer through fall. This native North American perennial wildflower grows tall and slim with fluffy golden flower spikes.
You’ll love how easy goldenrod is to grow in your sunny garden spaces. It thrives in average or even poor soil conditions, making it perfect for low-maintenance landscaping.
Alabama Goldenrod specifically grows 1.5 to 4 feet tall and blooms from August to October. This native species is hardy in zones 7-8, which covers most of Alabama perfectly.
Your local pollinators will thank you for planting goldenrod. It attracts butterflies and serves as a host plant for baltimore checkerspot butterflies and several moth species.
With 75 different goldenrod species available, you can find varieties that suit your specific garden needs. These perennials return year after year once established.
If you prefer container growing, choose a pot at least 12 inches wide with good drainage. Clay pots work well since they allow excess moisture to escape and prevent root rot.
36. Wild Indigo
Wild Indigo brings stunning blue flowers to your Alabama garden with minimal effort required. This native perennial thrives in the state’s climate and soil conditions naturally.
You’ll appreciate how Wild Indigo is drought-resistant once established. The plant handles Alabama’s hot summers without constant watering.
The blue flower spikes appear in late spring and early summer. Each bloom cluster creates a beautiful vertical display that adds height to your flower beds.
Your Wild Indigo plants will reach 2-4 feet tall at maturity. They spread slowly through underground roots to form attractive colonies over time.
This hardy perennial prefers full sun to partial shade locations. You can plant it in sandy or clay soils since it adapts well to various soil types.
Wild Indigo requires very little maintenance once established. Simply cut back the stems in late fall or early spring before new growth begins.
The flowers attract butterflies and bees to your garden naturally. Seeds also provide food for birds during fall and winter months.
You can start Wild Indigo from seeds or transplants. Seeds need scarification before planting for better germination rates in your garden.
35. Virginia Bluebells
Virginia bluebells will add enchanting spring color to your Alabama garden. These native wildflowers change from pink to purple to blue all on the same plant, creating a stunning display.
You’ll love how these herbaceous perennials grow about two feet tall with smooth, blue-green leaves. They thrive in shaded woodland areas under trees.
The bell-shaped flowers hang in clusters and emit a light, sweet fragrance. Bees and hummingbirds are naturally drawn to these blooms.
Your bluebells will bloom for a few weeks in March through April. They’re perfect for woodland plantings and pollinator gardens in Alabama’s climate.
These spring ephemerals grow from underground rhizomes that store energy for next year’s display. The foliage dies back in early summer.
You can plant hostas or ferns nearby to fill the space after the bluebells fade. This creates continuous beauty throughout your growing season.
Virginia bluebells are cold hardy and low-maintenance, making them ideal for Alabama gardeners seeking early spring color.
34. Yucca
Yucca plants bring architectural beauty to your Alabama garden with their striking sword-like foliage and dramatic flower spikes. These resilient plants thrive in Alabama’s climate, making them perfect for low-maintenance landscaping.
You’ll love how yuccas handle poor, sandy soils and scorching, drought-prone summers with ease. Their tough nature makes them ideal for busy gardeners who want stunning results without constant care.
The foliage ranges from green to bluish-green, with some varieties featuring yellow or white variegation. This diversity lets you choose the perfect yucca to complement your garden’s color scheme.
When yuccas bloom, they produce tall spikes of creamy white bell-shaped flowers that create a spectacular display. These blooms attract pollinators while adding vertical interest to your landscape design.
You can grow yuccas in rock gardens, xeriscapes, or as accent plants in traditional flower beds. They work beautifully as focal points or when planted in groups for dramatic impact.
These plants require minimal watering once established, making them excellent choices for water-wise gardening. Your yucca will continue looking great even during Alabama’s hottest, driest summer months.
33. Yarrow
Yarrow is a wonderful addition to your Alabama garden that practically takes care of itself. This hardy perennial thrives in the state’s climate and offers beautiful, long-lasting blooms.
Common yarrow features aromatic, fernlike leaves and flat-topped clusters of white flowers. The flower heads contain approximately 20 flowers each that appear atop slightly hairy, grayish green stems.
You’ll love how easy yarrow is to grow in your garden. Choose a location with full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil for best results.
This native wildflower offers low maintenance and drought resistance while supporting local ecosystems. Growing native wildflowers like yarrow helps create a sustainable garden that benefits pollinators.
Yarrow blooms for several weeks during the growing season. The attractive foliage remains appealing even after flowering ends, making it a great backdrop for shorter flowers in your garden.
You can find 15 varieties of lovely and cheerful yarrows to add color and texture to your cottage or flower garden. Each variety brings its own unique charm to your outdoor space.
32. Tickseed
Tickseed, also known as Coreopsis, makes an excellent choice for your Alabama garden. This hardy native plant produces cheerful yellow, orange, or red flowers that will brighten any landscape.
You’ll love how easy tickseed is to grow in Alabama’s climate. The plant thrives in full sun and tolerates various soil conditions, making it perfect for beginning gardeners.
Coreopsis lanceolata offers bright yellow flowers and grows about 1-2 feet tall. This variety features slender leaves that complement the vibrant blooms beautifully.
Your tickseed plants will attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. The flowers bloom from spring through fall, providing continuous color throughout the growing season.
You can use tickseed in borders, meadows, and wildflower gardens for versatile landscaping options. The plants work well when planted in masses or mixed with other native Alabama flowers.
Tickseed requires minimal maintenance once established in your garden. Simply deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering and water during extended dry periods.
The drought-tolerant nature of tickseed makes it ideal for Alabama’s hot summers. You’ll appreciate how this resilient flower continues blooming even when other plants struggle with heat stress.
31. Spiderwort
Spiderwort is a grassy perennial plant native to the Americas that thrives beautifully in Alabama’s climate. You’ll love its delicate three-petaled flowers that come in lovely shades of blue, pink, red, and white.
The blooms emerge in early spring and continue flowering from April through July. Each individual flower only lasts about a day, but your plant will produce new blossoms over several weeks.
This hardy and easy-to-grow flower makes an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners. You’ll find it performs best in partial shade conditions.
Your spiderwort needs regular watering and well-draining soil to stay healthy. Make sure the soil stays moist without becoming waterlogged for optimal growth.
Spiderwort has been growing in North America for thousands of years, making it a wonderful native plant choice for your Alabama garden. Its grass-like appearance blends naturally with other garden plants.
You can use spiderwort as an excellent companion plant that pairs well with many other flowers in your garden beds.
30. Russian Sage
Russian sage brings stunning silvery-blue foliage and delicate purple flowers to your Alabama garden. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in Alabama’s hot summers with minimal care.
The plant produces graceful arching branches covered in fragrant blue-green leaves. Its tubular blue to lavender-purple flowers bloom from late spring through fall, providing months of color.
You’ll love how Russian sage attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies to your garden. The flowers emit a pleasant herbal scent that adds sensory appeal to your landscape.
This low-maintenance perennial performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. It tolerates poor soil conditions and drought once established, making it perfect for Alabama’s variable weather.
Russian sage grows as a herbaceous woody perennial or subshrub. Despite its name, it’s not actually related to culinary sage but belongs to the mint family.
The plant’s wispy texture and blue color provide excellent contrast against other perennials. You can choose from multiple varieties to find the perfect fit for your garden design.
29. Penstemon
Penstemon flowers will add stunning tubular blooms to your Alabama garden. These beautiful penstemon varieties are beloved North American natives known for their hardy nature.
You’ll love how these perennials thrive in Alabama’s climate. The Gulf Coast Penstemon features lovely purple tubular flowers and adapts well to sandy soils in southern Alabama.
Your penstemon plants will grow best in well-draining sandy or gravelly soil. They don’t tolerate clay soil or overly rich conditions, making them perfect for challenging garden spots.
These flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard. The tubular shape makes them ideal for pollinators seeking nectar.
Plant your penstemon in full sun for the best flowering display. They’re drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal maintenance throughout the growing season.
You can expect blooms from late spring through fall. The flowers come in various colors including purple, pink, red, and white depending on the variety you choose.
These perennials work wonderfully in rock gardens, borders, or naturalized areas. Their upright growth habit adds vertical interest to your landscape design.
28. Larkspur
Larkspur flowers bring stunning vertical beauty to your Alabama garden with their tall, elegant spikes. These easy-to-grow annuals are perfect for cutting gardens and create dramatic focal points in flower beds.
You’ll love how larkspur blooms come in beautiful colors ranging from soft pastels to rich jewel tones. The flowers naturally attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden space.
For best results, plant larkspur in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade exposure. Alabama’s climate provides excellent growing conditions for these hardy flowers.
The tall stems make larkspur ideal for back borders or as background plants in mixed flower arrangements. You can also cut the blooms for fresh indoor bouquets that last several days.
Plant larkspur seeds directly in your garden during cooler months for spring blooms. These flowers prefer cooler weather and will reward you with abundant flowering when temperatures are mild.
Growing larkspur isn’t difficult, but they perform best when given proper spacing and regular watering during dry periods.
27. Ironweed
Ironweed brings stunning purple blooms to your Alabama garden from late summer through fall. This native flowering plant belongs to the Asteraceae family, the same group as daisies and sunflowers.
You’ll love how ironweed produces vibrant purple or magenta flower clusters that create eye-catching displays. The tall stems can reach 3 to 6 feet in height, making them perfect for the back of your flower borders.
This hardy perennial thrives in Alabama’s climate with minimal care once established. Native plants like ironweed save you time and money after their first year of growth.
Ironweed attracts butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators to your garden. The flowers bloom when many other plants are finishing their growing season, providing crucial late-season nectar sources.
You can grow ironweed in full sun to partial shade conditions. It tolerates various soil types and handles drought well once the roots are established.
The plant spreads naturally through underground rhizomes, creating larger colonies over time. This makes ironweed an excellent choice for naturalizing areas or creating wildlife habitats in your yard.
26. Hibiscus
Hibiscus brings stunning tropical beauty to your Alabama garden with its large, showy blooms. These eye-catching flowers come in vibrant colors including red, pink, white, and yellow.
Hardy hibiscus varieties thrive in Alabama’s climate and return each year. The Luna Red variety produces massive 8-inch burgundy flowers that resemble hollyhocks.
You can grow hibiscus in several locations around your property. They work well in garden beds, containers on patios, or as specimen plants in sunny spots.
These plants prefer full sun and well-draining soil. Water them regularly during dry periods, especially in summer heat.
Hibiscus attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. The blooms typically last from summer through fall, providing months of color.
Multiple hibiscus varieties offer different flower sizes and growth habits. Some stay compact while others grow into large shrubs reaching 4-6 feet tall.
Plant hibiscus in spring after the last frost. They’re relatively low-maintenance once established and will reward you with continuous blooms throughout the growing season.
25. Garden Phlox
Garden phlox brings vibrant clusters of starry blooms to your Alabama garden from mid-summer through fall. These fragrant perennials thrive in Alabama’s diverse climate and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
You’ll find garden phlox grows 2-4 feet tall with dense flower heads in shades of pink, purple, white, and red. The sweet fragrance makes them perfect for cutting gardens near patios or walkways.
Plant your phlox in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. They prefer morning sun and afternoon shade in Alabama’s hot climate. Space plants 18-24 inches apart for good air circulation.
Mildew-resistant varieties like ‘Starfire’ perform best in humid conditions. This cultivar features deep pink flowers with dark stems and grows about 3 feet tall.
Water at soil level rather than overhead to prevent fungal issues. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering throughout the growing season.
Garden phlox spreads slowly through underground rhizomes, creating beautiful natural drifts over time. Divide clumps every 3-4 years in early spring to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
24. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee balm brings vibrant colors and delightful fragrance to your Alabama garden. This native American perennial produces stunning flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and white.
You’ll love how bee balm attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to your outdoor space. The plant serves as one of the best plants for pollinators, providing important nectar for bees and other beneficial insects.
Growing bee balm is straightforward in Alabama’s climate. Plant yours in full sun or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil for best results.
Popular varieties include ‘Kardinal’ with its brilliant raspberry red flowers and ‘Balmy Lilac’ featuring gorgeous purple blooms. Most varieties grow 3-4 feet tall and wide.
Your bee balm will bloom from late spring through summer’s end. The uniquely shaped flowers create dense, globular heads that make excellent cut flowers.
Besides beauty, bee balm offers practical benefits. The aromatic foliage has traditional medicinal uses and adds wonderful fragrance to your garden beds and borders.
23. Joe-Pye Weed
Joe-Pye Weed brings stunning pale pink-purple blooms to your Alabama garden from midsummer through fall. This native flowering plant creates beautiful displays with its wide, fuzzy flower clusters.
You’ll love how this perennial comes back year after year once planted. The flowers typically bloom in August, making it perfect for late-season garden color.
This plant thrives in Alabama’s climate, doing well in USDA zones 4 through 9. You can grow it in various soil conditions, though it prefers well-draining soil with organic matter.
Joe-Pye Weed attracts butterflies and bees to your garden with its fragrant blooms. It’s also considered low-maintenance and easy to grow, making it perfect for busy gardeners.
The plant naturally grows at woodland edges and wet areas, so it adapts well to different garden locations. You can pair it with other native plants like goldenrod for stunning combinations.
If you have limited space, look for dwarf varieties like ‘Little-Pye’ that work well in smaller gardens or containers.
22. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia brings vibrant sunset colors to your Alabama garden with its cheerful daisy-like blooms. These drought-tolerant flowers thrive in our hot, humid summers.
You’ll love how these perennials bloom continuously from spring through fall. The flowers feature bright red centers with yellow-tipped petals that create stunning color combinations.
Plant your blanket flowers in full sun for best results. They prefer well-drained soil and actually perform better in poor soil conditions than rich, fertile ground.
These low-maintenance beauties are perfect for Alabama’s climate since they handle heat and drought exceptionally well. Gaillardia thrives in full sun and won’t need constant watering once established.
Your blanket flowers will attract butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects to your garden. The blooms typically measure 2.5 to 4 inches across and make excellent cut flowers.
Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage more flowering throughout the season. These hardy perennials will self-seed in your garden, creating natural drifts of color.
Plant blanket flowers in rock gardens, borders, or wildflower meadows where they’ll naturalize beautifully in Alabama’s growing conditions.
21. Salvia
Salvia brings vibrant color and fragrance to your Alabama garden with minimal effort. These versatile plants thrive in the state’s warm climate and attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your landscape.
You can choose from both annual and perennial varieties to suit your garden needs. Red salvia blooms from June to frost, providing months of continuous color.
These drought-tolerant plants require little maintenance once established. Their tall flower spikes add height and structure to your garden beds while producing abundant blooms throughout the growing season.
Salvias are superb members of the Mint family and grow well in gardens throughout Alabama. The flowers come in various colors including red, pink, purple, white, and orange.
Plant salvias in well-draining soil with full sun exposure for best results. They adapt well to Alabama’s soil conditions and handle heat stress better than many other flowering plants.
Growing salvia in Alabama provides an opportunity to enjoy vibrant blooms while attracting pollinators like bees to your garden. Their fragrant flowers make them irresistible to beneficial insects and add pleasant scents to your outdoor space.
20. Viburnum
Viburnum shrubs bring elegant beauty to Alabama gardens with their stunning spring blooms. These low-maintenance flowering shrubs produce clusters of white or pinkish-white fragrant flowers that create a spectacular display.
You’ll love how viburnum adapts well to Alabama’s climate conditions. The best time to plant viburnum in Alabama is during early spring or fall when temperatures are moderate.
These versatile plants offer multiple seasons of interest in your garden. Beyond their beautiful spring flowers, many viburnum varieties showcase colorful fall foliage that transforms from dark green to bright orangey-red.
Space your viburnum plants 4-6 feet apart for optimal growth. They typically reach 15-20 feet in height, making them perfect for creating natural privacy screens or focal points.
Native viburnum varieties support local wildlife by serving as host plants for butterflies like the Spring Azure. You’ll attract beneficial pollinators while adding structure to your landscape design.
Consider popular varieties like Blackhaw Viburnum, which thrives in Alabama’s growing conditions. These hardy shrubs require minimal care once established, making them ideal for busy gardeners seeking beautiful, reliable blooms.
19. Sweet William
Sweet William adds vibrant color and charm to your Alabama garden with its distinctive clustered blooms. This delightful flower produces fragrant blossoms in shades of pink, red, white, and purple that create stunning displays.
You can grow Sweet William as an annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial in Alabama’s climate. Sweet William is a slow-growing plant that reaches about 2 feet in height with average pointed green leaves.
The flowers attract beneficial pollinators to your garden. Sweet William produces blooms in vibrant shades that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds throughout the growing season.
Plant your Sweet William in full sun for best results. These hardy flowers tolerate Alabama’s heat well when given proper care and adequate moisture.
Sweet William works beautifully in borders, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens. The long-lasting blooms make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
You can start Sweet William from seeds or purchase transplants from your local nursery. Plant them in well-draining soil enriched with compost for optimal growth and flowering performance.
18. Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtles bring stunning summer color to your Alabama garden with their vibrant blooms and attractive bark. These versatile trees thrive in Alabama’s warm climate and tolerate drought conditions well.
You’ll find over 52 varieties of crape myrtles to choose from, with flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and purple. The blooms appear in late spring and continue through fall, giving you months of beautiful color.
These trees work perfectly as specimen plants, privacy screens, or even in large containers. Varieties range from under 5 feet to over 20 feet tall, so you can find the right size for any space.
Plant your crape myrtle in full sun with well-draining soil for best results. They grow well in USDA zones 6 through 10, making them perfect for Alabama’s climate.
The smooth, exfoliating bark adds winter interest when the leaves drop. Many varieties also provide brilliant fall foliage in shades of orange, red, and yellow before winter arrives.
17. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas bring stunning beauty to Alabama gardens with their large, cloud-like flower clusters. These versatile shrubs thrive in the state’s climate and produce blooms in shades of white, pink, and blue.
The oakleaf hydrangea takes the crown as the best variety for Alabama. This native species adapts perfectly to local conditions and serves as the state’s wildflower.
You’ll also find success with smooth hydrangeas, which are very hardy and can adapt well to Alabama’s climate. They produce clusters of white flowers and grow easily in most garden settings.
Panicle hydrangeas offer another excellent choice for your Alabama garden. These hardy varieties can adapt well to various conditions while producing large, cone-shaped flower clusters.
Plant your hydrangeas in early spring when soil temperatures warm up. They prefer partial shade but can tolerate some sun exposure depending on the variety.
With proper care, hydrangeas will reward you with months of spectacular blooms. Their soft green leaves and impressive flower displays create perfect focal points in any Alabama landscape.
16. Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflower brings vibrant color to your Alabama garden with minimal effort. These hardy, drought-tolerant perennials bloom all summer long.
You’ll love how easy these native flowers are to grow. They thrive in full sun to partial shade, making them perfect for beginner gardeners.
Purple coneflowers typically grow 2-4 feet tall with some varieties reaching different heights. The height ranges from 18 inches to 4 feet depending on the cultivar you choose.
These flowers prefer well-draining soils but adapt to various soil conditions. They especially favor moist, well-drained loam.
Your purple coneflowers will attract butterflies and birds to your garden. They also make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
Regular deadheading promotes more blooms throughout the season. These low-maintenance plants can spread by self-seeding, giving you more flowers naturally.
15. Coreopsis
Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, makes an excellent choice for your Alabama garden. This native North American wildflower comes in beautiful yellow and orange colors that brighten any landscape.
You’ll love how coreopsis produces daisy-like flowers from early summer through fall. The blooms can be single or double petaled depending on which variety you choose.
This hardy perennial thrives in Alabama’s climate and requires minimal care once established. Coreopsis grows best in full sun and tolerates drought well, though you may need to water during extended dry periods.
When planting, space your coreopsis plants 12 to 18 inches apart for proper air circulation. This prevents fungal diseases and gives each plant room to spread.
The best planting times in Alabama are spring or fall when temperatures are moderate. Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming throughout the growing season.
Coreopsis attracts butterflies and other pollinators to your garden while requiring very little maintenance from you.
14. Butterfly Weed
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) produces stunning orange flower clusters that will brighten your Alabama garden. This native wildflower grows wild in most parts of Alabama and adapts well to cultivation.
You’ll love how this perennial blooms from late spring through early summer. The brilliant orange flowers create eye-catching displays that stand out in any landscape.
Unlike other milkweed species, Butterfly Weed’s dark green leaves and stems don’t produce milky sap. This makes it easier to handle when you’re working in your garden.
Plant your Butterfly Weed in full sun locations for best results. This species thrives in dry conditions and tolerates drought well once established.
The fragrant flowers attract butterflies, native bees, and hummingbirds to your garden. You’ll enjoy watching these pollinators visit throughout the blooming season.
Establish your plants from containers in fall or spring. The flowers also work beautifully in cut arrangements when you want to bring their vibrant color indoors.
13. Lantana
Lantana brings vibrant color to your Alabama garden with minimal effort required. These hardy flowering plants absolutely love warm climates, making them perfect for your southern landscape.
You’ll find over 150 species of lantana to choose from. The most popular types include trailing lantana and mounding lantana varieties.
Trailing lantana grows 18 to 24 inches tall with spreads up to 4 feet wide. Mounding varieties can reach 4 feet tall with 1 to 3 foot spreads.
Your lantana will produce stunning clusters of small flowers in bright colors. Expect to see orange, pink, red, yellow, purple, and white blooms throughout the growing season.
These drought-tolerant plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They’re excellent choices if you want beautiful flowers without constant maintenance.
Plant your lantana after the last frost since they cannot survive temperatures below 50 degrees. Place taller varieties like lantana at the back of flower beds for best visual impact.
Your butterflies will thank you for adding these colorful blooms to your garden space.
12. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are perfect for Alabama gardens because they thrive in hot, sunny conditions. These native American wildflowers handle drought and poor soil with ease.
You’ll love how coneflowers attract butterflies and bees to your garden. Their large, daisy-like blooms feature distinctive cone-shaped centers surrounded by colorful petals.
The classic purple coneflower is just the beginning. You can choose from many colorful varieties including yellow, orange, pink, and white options.
These perennials grow well in zones 3-9, making them ideal for Alabama’s climate. Coneflowers are very heat tolerant and love full sun exposure.
Your coneflowers will bloom from summer through fall. They make excellent cut flowers that last over a week in bouquets.
Plant them in spring for best results. Water well during the first year, then they’ll become low-maintenance additions to your landscape.
Coneflowers spread naturally and self-seed, giving you more plants over time. They’re also deer resistant, protecting your garden investment.
11. Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan brings vibrant yellow blooms to your Alabama garden with minimal effort. These cheerful flowers feature bright yellow petals surrounding dark brown centers that create stunning visual contrast.
You’ll love how Black-eyed Susans thrive in Alabama’s climate with their excellent heat tolerance. They bloom from late spring through early fall, providing months of continuous color.
Plant your Black-eyed Susans in full sun for best results. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily but can tolerate partial shade if necessary.
These flowers adapt well to various soil types, including Alabama’s clay soil. Just ensure your planting area has good drainage to prevent root problems.
Black-eyed Susans grow 1 to 3 feet tall with flowers measuring 2 to 3 inches across. Their sturdy stems make them excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
You’ll attract butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects to your garden with these nectar-rich blooms. Many varieties self-sow readily, ensuring you’ll have flowers returning year after year.
The plants require minimal maintenance once established, making them perfect for busy gardeners who want beautiful results without constant care.
10. Foxglove
Foxglove creates stunning vertical displays with tall spikes of tubular flowers in your Alabama garden. These beautiful spring blooming perennials produce flowers in white and various shades of pink with attractive speckled throats.
You’ll love how foxglove attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden. The blooms appear in late spring after your spring bulbs have finished flowering.
Foxgloves thrive in USDA hardiness zones 7-9, making them perfect for Alabama’s climate. Your plants will handle the hot summers and mild winters well.
These perennials prefer partial shade but will grow in full sun if needed. You can expect heights ranging from moderate to tall, depending on the variety you choose.
The tubular flowers come in many colors beyond the traditional pink. Yellow foxglove varieties with brown spots offer a unique alternative for your garden design.
Keep in mind that perennial foxgloves may only last 3-5 years despite flowering year after year. Plan to replace them periodically to maintain your display.
9. Climbing Aster
The climbing aster brings delicate beauty to your Alabama garden with its lovely purple flowers and bright yellow centers. This native Alabama flower blooms in late summer when many other plants are fading.
You’ll love how this plant’s long, flexible stems can reach over 10 feet high. The climbing stems make it perfect for trellises and fences, where it spreads across the top and creates stunning vertical displays.
This deciduous perennial thrives in Alabama’s climate, especially in the southern regions near the Gulf Coast. You’ll often find it growing naturally at swamp edges and along riverbanks.
The blue or lavender petals create a soft, romantic look in your garden. The stems are particularly bendy and can extend over 10 inches long, giving you plenty of flexibility for creative garden designs.
Maintenance is refreshingly simple for this native beauty. You mainly need to keep its water needs met and wait for the spectacular late summer blooms to appear. Since it’s a native plant, it naturally adapts well to Alabama’s soil and weather conditions.
8. Blueheart
Blueheart is a charming native Alabama wildflower that deserves a spot in your garden. This delicate flower produces small, bright blue blooms that add a pop of color to any landscape.
You’ll love how easy blueheart is to grow in Alabama’s climate. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to various soil conditions.
The flowers bloom from late spring through summer, providing consistent color for months. Each bloom is only about half an inch wide, but they appear in clusters that create a stunning display.
Blueheart works beautifully as a ground cover or border plant. You can also use it to fill in bare spots where other flowers struggle to grow.
This native flower attracts butterflies and bees to your garden. It’s also drought-tolerant once established, making it perfect for low-maintenance landscapes.
The plant typically grows 6 to 12 inches tall and spreads slowly to form neat patches. You won’t need to worry about it taking over your garden beds.
Consider planting blueheart alongside other native Alabama flowers for a natural, cohesive look. It pairs especially well with wildflowers that bloom at different times of the year.
7. Geranium
Geraniums bring vibrant color and charm to Alabama gardens throughout the summer months. These popular flowering plants thrive in the state’s warm climate and add instant beauty to any outdoor space.
You’ll find over 400 species in the geranium family, giving you plenty of variety to choose from. The colorful blooms come in many shades and growing heights to suit your garden design.
These easy-to-grow plants work well in Alabama’s conditions and provide continuous blooms all season long. They’re considered annuals but often return in favorable conditions.
Geraniums attract beneficial pollinators to your garden while requiring minimal maintenance. Their hardy nature makes them perfect for both beginning and experienced gardeners.
You can plant geraniums in containers, garden beds, or borders for maximum impact. They feature distinctive five-petaled flowers and narrow, pointed leaves that create visual interest even when not blooming.
The plants prefer well-drained soil and perform best in full sun to partial shade. Regular watering and occasional fertilizing will keep your geraniums healthy and blooming beautifully throughout Alabama’s growing season.
6. Sunflower
Sunflowers are one of Alabama’s most beloved garden flowers, known for their bright yellow petals radiating from a central disc. These sun-loving plants thrive in Alabama’s warm and humid climate with its long, hot summers.
You’ll want to plant sunflower seeds between mid-March and early June when frost danger has passed. Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and space them 6-12 inches apart depending on the variety you choose.
Late spring when soil is warm and easily turned is ideal for planting sunflowers in Alabama gardens. Wait until soil temperatures reach at least 50°F for best germination results.
These towering beauties prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They’re relatively low-maintenance once established and can handle Alabama’s heat well.
Sunflowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. They also provide seeds for birds later in the season, making them excellent wildlife-friendly additions to your landscape.
Choose from dwarf varieties for containers or giant varieties that can reach impressive heights for dramatic garden displays.
5. Zinnia
Zinnias are perfect for Alabama gardeners who want colorful, low-maintenance flowers. These vibrant annuals thrive in our hot, sunny climate and reward you with continuous blooms throughout the summer.
You’ll find over 50 unique types of zinnias to choose from, each offering different colors and flower shapes. The most popular variety, Zinnia elegans, produces large, striking blooms in nearly every color imaginable.
Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow because they grow quickly and bloom heavily. They love full sun and handle Alabama’s intense summer heat with ease.
Your garden will become a pollinator paradise when you plant zinnias. Bees and butterflies are drawn to their bright colors and abundant nectar, making them excellent companion plants for vegetable gardens.
These hardy annuals require minimal care once established. Simply plant them in well-draining soil, provide regular water, and deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering.
Whether you choose the disease-resistant Profusion series or the tall, dramatic State Fair varieties, zinnias will add reliable color to your Alabama landscape from spring until the first frost.
4. Marigold
Marigolds are perfect for Alabama gardeners who want vibrant color with minimal effort. These cheerful flowers thrive in the state’s warm climate and add instant brightness to any garden space.
You’ll love how marigolds naturally repel pests while creating stunning displays. This makes them both beautiful and practical for your garden.
These resilient flowers come in various colors including golden yellow, bright orange, and deep red. You can choose from different sizes and bloom types to match your garden’s style.
Growing marigolds in Alabama is straightforward and yields beautiful results with minimal care. They’re ideal for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
Plant your marigolds in full sun for the best blooms. They tolerate Alabama’s heat well and continue flowering throughout the growing season.
You can use marigolds as borders, in containers, or mixed with other flowers. Their fast-growing nature means you’ll see results quickly.
These flowers also work well for cut arrangements if you want to bring their sunny colors indoors. Simply harvest the buds when they’re just beginning to open.
3. Ruellia
Ruellia, also known as the Mexican Petunia, makes an excellent choice for your Alabama garden. This hardy flowering plant thrives in Alabama’s climate and offers stunning visual appeal throughout the growing season.
You’ll love the beautiful trumpet-shaped purple and blue flowers that bloom abundantly. The showy blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden, creating a lively outdoor space.
This shrubby perennial provides year-round interest with its evergreen foliage. You can enjoy greenery even during Alabama’s cooler months when other plants go dormant.
Ruellia adapts well to different growing conditions in your yard. Plant it in full sun to partial shade areas with well-draining soil for best results.
The plant requires minimal maintenance once established. Regular watering keeps the soil moist, but ruellia tolerates some drought conditions.
You can use ruellia as ground cover in shaded areas or as a colorful border plant. Its spreading habit fills in garden spaces quickly, giving you fuller coverage in less time.
2. Daylily
Daylilies are perfect for Alabama gardens and happen to be the state flower. These hardy perennials bloom throughout spring and summer, giving you constant color in your landscape.
Each individual bloom lasts only one day, but the plant produces new buds daily. This creates the appearance of continuous blooming for weeks at a time.
You’ll find daylilies come in a wide variety of colors and bloom for several weeks in midsummer. They prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade if needed.
These flowers are drought-resistant once established. They respond well to fertilizer and regular watering during dry spells.
More than 20,000 hybrid varieties have been created from just 20 original species worldwide. This gives you endless options for your garden design.
The best planting time in Alabama is early spring or very late fall. Choose a location with well-drained soil for optimal growth.
Daylilies work well in various garden styles including rock gardens, butterfly gardens, and container plantings. Their low maintenance requirements make them ideal for busy gardeners.
1. Azalea
Azaleas are among the most popular flowering shrubs in Alabama. These stunning plants transform your garden into a colorful paradise each spring.
You’ll love how azaleas bloom in vibrant shades of pink, red, white, purple, orange, and yellow. Some varieties even feature gorgeous bi-colored petals that create eye-catching displays.
Many varieties of evergreen azaleas thrive in Alabama’s soils. They’re well-suited to the state’s unique climate and growing conditions.
You can plant azaleas at any time of year with proper watering. However, fall is the best time to plant because plants become better established before hot weather arrives.
Consider choosing native varieties for your landscape. Native azaleas bloom throughout spring and into summer, providing an extended flower show.
Your azaleas will add structure and beauty to your garden while attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. These hardy shrubs serve multiple purposes in Alabama landscapes.
