9 Patriotic Flower Choices to Grow this Independence Day

Planting a patriotic garden is a great way to celebrate American pride. What better time is there to add some red, white, and blue to your yard than for Independence Day? You can use many beautiful and colorful flowers to create vibrant displays to reflect national pride. 

There are plenty of ways to express your patriotism in the garden. You can add plants with historical significance to enhance the beauty of your space. Adding flowering plants that support native wildlife is another excellent and patriotic way to garden. 

Whether you’re working with beds, borders, or containers, a patriotic garden can be a lovely tribute. It’s a source of seasonal beauty and a support for the ecosystem, as well. Here are some beautiful, symbolic, and colorful plants for your patriotic garden. 

Red Rose

	botanical name Rosa spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-30’+
	hardiness zones 4-10

Red roses top the list of patriotic Independence Day flowers. In 1986, Ronald Regan officially declared the rose as the U.S. National floral emblem. No one color takes the title, but red roses tend to be the most prominent in patriotic symbolism. It’s common to see these stunning blooms on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. They’re used in floral displays to honor veterans and service members.

You can create a stunning patriotic display by combining red roses with white and blue flowers. Bachelor’s button, blue salvia, and white petunias all come to mind as striking companions. Roses’ symbolism and national significance make them an emblem of patriotism and pride. 

Sunflower

	botanical name Helianthus annuus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 25’+
	hardiness zones 2-11

Sunflowers don’t typically fall into the traditional 4th of July color palette, but they are stunning nonetheless. They also embody conservation and help to sustain native wildlife. Cheerful sunflowers feed tons of pollinators with copious amounts of nectar and pollen. The dried seed heads help to sustain overwintering birds with one of their favorite foods. 

Nearly all species of sunflowers are native to North America. Helianthus annuus is the most common we associate with the name. But many others do a great job of contributing to the health of our native pollinator and bird species. If that’s not patriotic, I don’t know what is!

Geranium

	botanical name Pelargonium spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-4’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Geraniums are classic patriotic Independence Day flowers. While they may not have much exceptional symbolic value, they are an American favorite that dates back to the Victorian Era. They are nostalgic and are often used in patriotic summer floral displays. Their bold color makes them stand out in containers, window boxes, and mixed beds. 

Geraniums are versatile, resilient, and easy to grow. They embody many of the qualities associated with the American spirit. Red geraniums are exceptionally well-liked for this purpose and look beautiful in an arrangement with white petunias and blue lobelia. 

Cornflower

	botanical name Centaurea cyanus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-36”
	hardiness zones 2-11

In cool climates, you can still plant beautiful blue cornflowers in your patriotic Independence Day Garden. These prefer cooler temperatures than what the Southern states typically offer in July. But they are perfect for a red, white, and blue display if you can sustain them. However, in some areas they are invasive. Plant them outside this range.

If you plant these in the summer, give them more shade. Four hours of sun daily is fine this time of year. Make sure to keep the soil moist, as well. They pair beautifully with red cosmos and white pentas for a light and airy mixture. Throw in some red and white zinnias for a bold accent. 

White Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea millefolium
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

White yarrow is a beautiful, native flowering plant that is also great for supporting pollinators. It’s a prolific bloomer, producing umbels of tiny white blossoms that are highly attractive to native butterflies. It also has a history of use in early colonial medicine and cottage gardens. 

Yarrow is a lovely perennial that has excellent cold tolerance. It colonizes, so you can use it in areas where you want to fill space. It also flowers for an extended period in the spring and summer. The flowers are lovely in cut arrangements and also look beautiful when dried. 

Agapanthus

	botanical name Agapanthus africanus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18”-24”
	hardiness zones 8-10

Agapanthus is a perfect addition to your patriotic Independence Day flowers. While it’s not native, it’s not invasive, and is only perennial in warmer climates. However, you can grow them as an annual and dig up the bulbs for winter. 

They produce their showy and spectacular blue flowers in June and July. The firework-shaped flower heads are perfect for the occasion. After blooming, they provide an attractive, grassy border plant that looks nice until the first frost. Combine these with your red roses and white hydrangea for a spectacular combination. 

White Swamp Milkweed

	botanical name Asclepias perennis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12”-24”
	hardiness zones 6-9

If you’re prepping a patriotic pollinator garden, white swamp milkweed is a must-have. Milkweed is the sole larval food for Monarch butterflies. This native species is experiencing severe population decline. By planting milkweed, you’re helping to sustain the Monarchs.

White swamp milkweed has delicate, star-shaped flowers atop tall, green leafy stems. Sprinkle these stars in with blue cornflowers and red pentas for a delightfully delicate combination. This patriotic Independence Day floral arrangement is more than just pretty. It provides food for critical native species. 

Blue Hydrangea

	botanical name Hydrangea macrophylla
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 3’-6’
	hardiness zones 5-9

For a big pop of blue in your patriotic Independence Day flower bed, blue hydrangeas are the perfect choice. Big, fluffy confections in cobalt and periwinkle stand out against large, soft, deep green foliage. They are a classic United States native and a staple in the American South. 

Combine blue hydrangeas with red roses, and add a white cultivar of either to brighten the arrangement. This will create a stunning and imposing summer display that is undeniably patriotic. 

Pentas

	botanical name Pentas lanceolata
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Though they are non-native, pentas are a great addition to your patriotic Independence Day flowers. Their nectar-rich flowers make them a good food source for native bees and butterflies. These come in red and white, sprinkling a smattering of tiny stars across the garden.