The National Garden Bureau Picks The Top Flowers To Plant In 2026

Looking for inspiration on what to plant in your flower garden or an introduction to beautiful plants for your front yard that will add major curb appeal? Each year, the National Garden Bureau showcases six different "Year Of" plants. A plant is highlighted from each of the following categories: annual, perennial, bulb, edible, houseplant, and shrub. Every plant selected has a reputation for being versatile and easy to grow.

The National Garden Bureau has chosen three flowering plants for 2026: the azalea, the crocus, and the impatiens. These plants earned their spotlight by being easy-keepers that look great and grow well in a variety of garden scenarios. Each of these flowers will add color and visual interest to your landscaping.

For a spotlighted shrub, the National Garden Bureau says 2026 is the Year of the Azalea. One of the best shrubs to grow in your yard for a colorful spring, azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) are well-known for producing copious amounts of blossoms. Variety is one of the criteria for plants chosen, and azaleas deliver. There are 17 varieties of azaleas native to North America and thousands more registered cultivars. Among the native varieties, azaleas are categorized based on their bloom color: white, pink, or orange-red. Azaleas can be deciduous or evergreen. These plants are typically hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 8, but some cultivars may be hardy in colder zones as well.

The National Garden Bureau has also named 2026 the Year of the Crocus. The crocus is an early spring bloomer that frequently emerges just as winter's final snow is melting away. These perennial plants emerge from underground corms and produce white, yellow, purple, or blue flowers. The upright, cup-shaped blossoms can be solid or striped. Crocuses are hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8. They make a great pick for starting a pollinator garden and have the bonus of being easy to care for, which is a frequent feature of the Bureau's chosen plants of the year.

For a cheery annual, the National Garden Bureau is highlighting the Year of the Impatiens. These flowers check all the boxes for gardeners — they're adaptable to various planting locations, don't require vigorous care, and come in tons of different colors. The Impatiens genus includes more than 1,000 species, but the most common in North America are the New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri), its hybrid cultivar known as 'SunPatiens,' and the common garden impatiens (Impatiens walleriana).