9 Flower Varieties Joanna Gaines Relies On For A Colorful Garden

It's no secret that Joanna Gaines enjoys growing a variety of flowers and discussing gardening almost as much as she enjoys talking about interior design. Her garden photos and videos on Instagram have been a real hit with fans of her design brand, and her refreshing takes on interior design, infused with ideas inspired by nature, carry over to her approach to gardening. A recent handwritten list seen at Magnolia (the Waco, Texas home goods shop Joanna owns with husband Chip Gaines, also her "Fixer Upper" co-host) names her favorite flowers for a colorful garden, just in time for the start of summer (via House Beautiful). 

The list includes well-known varieties like poppies, dahlias, delphiniums, and snapdragons, and some that are a bit more obscure, like orlaya and dara (Daucus carota). Luckily, they're all available either from nurseries or as seeds from mail order companies, so you can choose from among her favorites and add some gorgeous color to your own garden beds and containers. We've listed nine of the favorites from the list with some tips for growing them. Before adding new plants to your garden, verify your USDA growing zone and that it's right for them. Also, make sure you're able to plant them in the right spot for their preferred growing conditions. Some of the flowers Gaines enjoys can also be planted from seed. If you live in a colder area, you can start the seeds indoors in a sunny windowsill or greenhouse in the spring, and then transplant them once the days become warmer.

Dahlias are sparkling jewels in the summer garden. From spiky cactus dahlias to round pompon dahlias to huge dinnerplate dahlias, there's a wide range of choices. However, dahlias need some extra care. Taller varieties may need staking, and the bulbs must be lifted and stored for winter (they're hardy in USDA 8 to 10), but most gardeners agree the effort is well worth it for weeks of colorful blooms. Try the gorgeous "Gallery" series: compact border dahlias with art-inspired names like Cézanne (bright yellow), Art Deco (peachy pink), 'Pablo' (yellow tipped with rosy pink), and Monet (white tipped with lilac).

Though poppies can refer to several different kinds of colorful flowers, including perennial poppies (Papaver orientale), it seems likely Joanna Gaines was referring to annual poppies grown from seed. These delicate-looking yet resilient flowers bloom for weeks in summer. Icelandic poppies (Papaver nudicaule) are cold-hardy and perennial only in USDA Zones 8-10, so many gardeners grow them as annuals. California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are also popular annuals, and both varieties are easy to grow and come in a stunning range of colors to create a vivid showcase in the summer garden.

Delphiniums are a cottage garden favorite: these colorful perennials attract hummingbirds with their fluffy spires of delicate petals. Some of the taller varieties need support, but there are smaller ones that stand on their own. They like cool weather and thrive in USDA Zones 3-7. They can get a bit droopy in afternoon heat, so locating them where they get dappled sun or afternoon shade is perfect for them. The Magic Fountains cultivar comes in a range of pastel and jewel colors, or try the Blue Bell, which grows up to four feet tall!

Also known as Queen Anne's Lace, or Chocolate Lace, dara (Daucus carota) is actually a type of wild carrot. Though the white flowers are the most common, these lacy flat-topped meadow flowers also bloom in delicate shades of mauve and burgundy. They can be grown from seed, bloom for weeks, and are long-lasting cut flowers, which may be one reason why Joanna Gaines likes them in the garden and for making colorful bouquets. These easy-to-grow annuals like full sun and thrive in poor or dry soil. They reseed freely, so deadhead them to control spread.

Zinnias hail from warm regions and are native to Mexico and Central America. Though they're only cold hardy in USDA Zones 9-11, they are popular as summer annuals, attract pollinators, and grow easily from seed. Starting seeds indoors in early spring means your seedlings will be ready to transplant before summer begins. There are many wonderful varieties of zinnias, from dwarf to tall, some with spiky petals, some round like pompons, and some with layers (try the Cupcakes Pink seed mix from Eden Brothers), and they come in a huge range of colors from brights to pastels.

Snapdragons are a colorful sight, with their frilly flowers in glorious solid and two-tone hues. They range in height from small (10-12 inches) to very tall (three feet or more), and are generally very long-blooming. The Rocket series is particularly floriferous, with tall central stalks that produce side stems that will keep putting out frost-tolerant flowers as late as November. In some gardens, these cold-weather bloomers will reseed the following spring, but snapdragons are usually considered annuals, hardy in USDA Zones 7-11.

Larkspur is often confused with delphiniums, with similar-looking flowers, despite being a completely different plant variety (Consolida ajacis). There are even seeds or plants sold as "Delphinium consolida" (like these beautiful Misty Lavender larkspur), which can be confusing, especially when they're grouped or sold together. But where delphiniums are cold-hardy perennials, larkspur is grown as a hardy annual in USDA Zones 2-11, and they prefer cooler weather. They like full sun but tend to wilt in humid summer heat, so they thrive best in the Northeast as a summer annual that provides a colorful cottage garden look.

Orlaya is sometimes referred to as a non-invasive alternative to Queen Anne's Lace, and despite their easy care and beauty, they are not very commonly grown. Perhaps a recommendation from Joanna Gaines will see them become more popular! These delicate white flowers have a meadow vibe, but are at home in the cottage garden or even in containers. Known as half-hardy annuals, these floaty flowers are very strong plants and a good pick for adding some lacy white accents amid your more colorful garden plants.

Also known as pincushion flowers, scabiosa are small button-like flowers that come in a lovely array of colors from cool pastel pinks and blues to deep lustrous shades of ruby red and burgundy. These pollinator magnets thrive in a variety of soil conditions and bloom fine in partial shade, making them an easy annual for the summer garden. They prefer somewhat cooler weather and thrive as sturdy annuals in USDA Zones 3-8. Try a colorful assortment of seeds, or alluring single colors like Fama Deep Blue (periwinkle), Fire King (vivid scarlet), or Fata Morgana (blush pink).