The Mexican Buckeye is a beautiful deciduous tree with multiple trunks that displays a profusion of aromatic, light pink or mauve-hued flowers. "It blooms from late spring through summer, and during this time, its leaves turn into a captivating deep bronze hue," says Thomas. "The tree's exquisite blooms also serve as a host for a wide variety of butterflies, enhancing the beauty of your garden."

No matter the season, the white dogwood is ready to put on a show. "In spring, it produces white flowers," says Shah. The blooms, which are a mainstay from March through May, are actually "bracts" or modified leaves featuring small blooms at the center. These are a thick, creamy white with a golden-green bud; pink spots tend to appear on the tips of each petal.

Also referred to as Callistemon trees, bottlebrush trees are characterized by their peculiar and fuzzy bright red flower spikes that resemble, well, a bottlebrush! Thomas says that this eye-catching tree is one of his absolute favorites since it feels uniquely different from other flowering trees and plants. "The leaves of Callistemon rigidus are narrow, lance-shaped, and grow up to 4 inches long. They have a leathery texture and are dark green in color, providing a beautiful contrast to the tree's showy flowers," Thomas says. "The bottlebrush-like flower spikes of Callistemon rigidus are about 3 to 4 inches long, and bloom in shades of pink to red."

For a real garden showstopper, look no further than the gorgeous flowering crabapple. The Royalty variety produces purple-meets-crimson flowers, which are striking all on their own. The addition of a deep, dark foliage adds more richness of color. Sherlock says that the flowers and fruits produced by the tree are very attractive to bees and wildlife. Their size makes them a great focal point of any garden, though they're a particularly great pick for smaller yards.

The seeds of these trees are quite easily located—inside the fruits they produce, of course—but note that they can take about three to five years to produce flowers. It's well worth the wait if you have the patience.

Many peonies can be grown with little to no problems with disease, especially when planted in the correct location. But a new class of peonies—a cross between tree peonies and garden peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa x Paeonia lactiflora)—have superior disease resistance. In spring, the plant re-grows long, woody stems. "At the end of May, large buds open to a bright yellow mass of petals," says Adrienne Roethling.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has it all—it's heat-, drought-, and disease-resistant, plus it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. Two varieties that are known for being especially hardy are Pow Wow Wild Berry and Pow Wow White. "They emerge in spring with a rosette of elongated leaves, quickly giving rise to stalks of brilliant pink or pure white daisy-like flowers," says Adrienne Roethling. "The center or cone are cinnamon in color and quite large—a pollinator's delight."

Looking for a summer flowering annual with a long bloom period? Zinnias are just that—and they draw a variety of pollinators. "When flowers are in full bloom, they attract an array of bees, beetles, butterflies, and moths," says Adrienne Roethling. When choosing a variety, opt for disease-resistant profusion zinnias (Zinnia elegans 'Profusion'). "The profusion series is a hybrid with results that include medium sized, colorful blooms on short stems," she says. They are also self-cleaning, meaning there is no deadheading required.

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial, certain varieties of garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) have been cultivated to be mildew-free. One example is Jeana garden phlox. "The individual flowers are smaller than most other garden phlox, but that does not deter butterflies from feeding on its nectar," says Sorensen. This variety is highly coveted for its ecological value and is native to the eastern United States.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 5 feet tall x 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; average, well-drained soil

Largeleaf phlox (Phlox amplifolia) is a sun-tolerant plant that's resistant to powdery mildew, a fungal disease that affects many flowers. The native plant produces underground runners that slowly spread to form a large mass. "Blooming in early summer, the airy pink inflorescences are held 1 to 2 feet above the mass of foliage and continue to bloom for about six weeks," says Leirion Sorensen, the gardens manager at Mt. Cuba Center.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 44 inches tall x 36 inches wide
Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; loamy, well-drained soil

Portulaca is a pretty choice for a simple, drought-resistant ground cover, producing many 1-inch flowers in shades of yellow, red, pink, orange, and white. It tolerates poor soil and does not want much care, says Awat. Generally speaking, it can grow where most flowers can't, and grows best in hot, dry areas—so if you're in the desert area, it may be the best bet for your garden goals.

For gardeners who crave color and vibrancy, this plant creates gorgeous clusters of brightly colored flowers that open to one shade and then fade to another. "It is a mounding plant, which makes it good for bedding and hanging baskets and planters," Awot says, adding that this annual loves the heat and is very drought tolerant. "It can also tolerate sea spray so it does well near the beach," she says. Lantana requires well-draining soil and full sun to thrive, but can multiply in the summer heat without much care.

Do you have a sunshine-flooded front yard that is begging for a little bit of rainbow dusting? If so, Awot suggests this colorful, drought-resistant, sun-loving perennial. "Known for its daisy-like appearance, this stunner offers blooms with vibrant colors that will brighten your garden bed," she says. "Gaillardia are extremely drought tolerant and make for an excellent middle-of-the-border option in the cottage garden, and for naturalizing in a wildflower meadow."

For gardeners with lofty visions of fragrant flowers and fresh produce grown in their backyard, it's worth adding this drought-resistant plant to your space. As Awot explains, Monarda is a type of perennial pollinator plant that is drought-tolerant and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden with its vibrant flowers. "Given Bee Balm thrives in full sunlight or partial shade, it's suitable to handle the sun's heat, while adding a beautiful pop of color to your yard," she says. "You'll find Bee Balm offered in various color options like white, pink, red, lavender, and purple."

Lavender is a beautiful and fragrant addition to your drought-resistant plant collection. Found naturally in the dry sandy soil of the Mediterranean, lavender has naturally evolved to grow with minimal water, says Awot. "Lavender can easily be grown in containers both outdoors and indoors, meaning you can bring it indoors during cold winter months to prevent damage and prolong the life and your enjoyment of the plant," she says. "Lavender is also pollinator-friendly, while helping to repel pests such as mosquitos, fleas, and ticks."

Evergreen, drought-tolerant yucca hangs tough all year round. While deer do savor its flowers, they avoid the sharp-tipped leaves—not a problem for most people, who value this superstar for its striking foliage, anyway.

Thyme is an easy, practical, and drought-resistant herb to grow that has an inviting scent and is delicious in recipes. English thyme grows well in southern climates and does best in full sun to partial shade conditions.

For outdoor growing, English thyme should be planted in the spring or fall, 12 to 15 inches apart, either in the ground, a raised bed, or in containers, says Amy Enfield, Ph.D., a senior scientist for Live Goods at Scotts Miracle Grow. Because it is low-growing, has thin stems, and a wiry habit, avoid crowding because vigorous neighboring plants might choke it out.

Kevin Lenhart, the designer director at Yardzen, describes this upright grass plant as a powerhouse—and for a good reason. Not only is it native to half of the United States, but it has a complex root system that buries deep into the ground to access moisture that other plants cannot reach. "Little Bluestem begins blue-green, but transforms to a bold bronze by fall that endures through the winter," he says. "It is commonly found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands across the country."

Lenhart says Little Bluestem prefers full sun and well-drained soils. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, from sandy to clay soils, and is also adapted to a range of soil pH levels.

A mix between Calycanthus floridus and Calycanthus chinensis, this variety is about as quick growing as they come. Hybrid spicebush easily reaches 5 feet tall in just two to three years, while some unpruned specimens can get even taller. "Large waxy green leaves adorn the plant in the growing season, taking on a yellow color in fall," says Jon Roethling. "'Hartlage Wine' and 'Aphrodite' are more easily found selections, both with maroon colored flower with a yellow center."

Holly (Ilex) is a fast-growing shrub that gives growers a wide range of choices. "Almost any evergreen selection has dark green foliage ranging from extremely spiny to some selections tending towards being spineless," says Jon Roethling. "Their fruit are a great food source to birds in winter and you can have your pick from straight native Ilex opaca (American holly) to any number of hybrids."

This deciduous shrub emerges in late spring with green leaves that give rise to white flowers in summer followed by a show of bright purple berries. Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) can grow up to 6 feet tall, but in favorable conditions the shrub can grow an extra 2 to 3 feet. Come early fall, expect to see birds visit your beautyberry shrub in droves.