Use these tips and plant lists to select red, white and blue annual and perennial flowers to plant a traditional flower garden design with a patriotic theme this summer.

Red, white and blue flowers planted together are an American tradition, a flower combination grown nationwide to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday and a patriotic display to enjoy all season long. Most often these are planted using annual flowers, but you can also design a red, white and blue flower garden using perennials or by mixing annuals and perennials. Here are some guidelines for designing your red, white and blue garden and suggestions for annual and perennial flowers in red, white and blue listed by color.

Using Annuals in Your Flower Garden Design

The reason for using red, white and blue annual flowers is that most of these are more dependable bloomers. Once they start to bloom for the summer, they should stay consistently in bloom until fall. If you are planting a formal design or bedding plant design or planting a specific pattern, annuals are the better choice. In addition to blooming dependably, the annuals will also reach a predictable height and width so you can design exactly what you want. A typical combination might be red, white and blue verbenas or red salvia, blue salvia, and white petunias. Of course, you can also use annuals in an informal display, or mix and match annuals and perennials.

Red, White and Blue Design Using Perennials

You can plant a red, white and blue flower combination using perennials, but the timing is tricky. Perennials bloom for just a few weeks each year. Perennial flowers may begin to bloom a little early or a little later in the season depending on the weather each year. Sometimes the weather causes a perennial to bloom for an exceptionally short time, thus limiting the display. So you are not guaranteed to have all three colors in bloom at the same time or for a long period.

Combining Red, White and Blue Flowering Annuals and Perennials

Sometimes it makes sense to use a combination of annuals and perennials. For example, a white “Iceberg” rose surrounded by blue Salvia farinacea and red petunias. Or perhaps a blue hydrangea surrounded with white impatiens and red begonias.

List of White Flowers

There are many annuals with white flowers. Your choice will be dictated by the growing conditions where you are planting and how to create a pleasing proportion with your red and blue flowers. Some annuals with white flowers that are commonly used in bedding plant schemes would include white alyssum, white petunias, white impatiens, white vinca, white begonias, white cosmos, white cleome, and although in flower for a shorter blooming time, white gladiolus.

Among perennials that might be in bloom for the fourth of July -- depending on your growing season -- you could consider white daisies, white dianthus, white agapanthus, white baby's breath, white iris, white dahlias, white daylilies, white lilies, white clematis and white roses.

Also see the series on White Gardens and Moon Gardens for more white flower ideas.

List of Red Flowers

There are many terrific choices for red annual flowers: red petunias, red salvia and red zinnias come immediately to mind. You could also use red geraniums, red cannas, red dahlias, red begonias or even the somewhat fleeting red gladiolus. Red cockscomb and a red globe amaranth such as “Strawberry Fields” are also strong possibilities. Also look at vines such as cardinal climber or cypress vine.

Red perennial flowers for early to mid summer blooming include red roses, bee balm (Monarda), Astilbe, and Lobelia cardinalis.

List of Blue Flowers

Blue flower choices are limited, especially if you are looking for the traditional blue found in the American flag. You will find blue verbena, blue salvia, blue lobelia, and close-to-blue petunias. Morning glories are wonderful but keep in mind they only stay open in the morning!

Among perennials, you might try blue campanulas, blue balloon flowers (Platycodon), blue agapanthus, blue delphiniums and blue hydrangeas.

Also see the series on Blue Flower Gardens for more blue flower ideas.

Suggestions on How to Design a Garden of Red, White and Blue Flowers

In addition to the planting suggestions and plant lists above, you may want to consider using seasonal decorations in addition to the flowers or to highlight and accent your flowers. For instance, hang red, white and blue bunting as a backdrop to your flowers. Or plant your red, white and blue flowers around a flag pole. Or, decorate your mailbox or add cushions to your porch furniture with the red, white and blue theme. Another option would be to paint your window box or flower pot in the red, white and blue theme and then plant them with simple green foliage plants or classic white petunias.

A last minute fix is to add containers or even vases of cut flowers to bring in whatever color(s) your garden is missing. As you can see, red, white and blue is a great theme to play up in garden design -- with all red, white and blue flowers, or without!

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