Looking to brighten up your Zone 6 garden this summer? Now’s the time to get planting! Whether you're an experienced grower or just digging into gardening, these standout selections will surely reward you with lasting color, texture, and pollinator appeal. From bold bloomers to shade-loving gems, every plant here thrives in the region’s unique blend of warm summers and crisp nights. Ready to discover your new garden favorites? Start planting and watch the magic unfold!
1. Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia sphaerocarpa)
Yellow wild indigo is a compact, clump-forming perennial that brings a burst of sunny yellow flowers to the summer garden. Native to the South but hardy in Zone 6, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. The blooms resemble miniature sweet peas and attract bumblebees in droves. After flowering, attractive seed pods and bluish-green foliage provide interest through fall. It’s deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and an excellent structural plant for low-maintenance borders. Pair it with grasses or other sun-loving natives for a long-lasting display.
2. Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)
Also called hardy hibiscus, rose mallow stuns with plate-sized blooms in pink, red, or white shades. It prefers consistently moist soil and full sun, making it perfect for rain gardens or areas with regular watering. While it can adapt to average soil, growth, and flowering will be more vigorous with reliable moisture. Midsummer to frost brings a steady parade of showy flowers. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds all flock to its nectar-rich centers. Leave stems standing through winter for added habitat and visual interest. Cut back in spring for lush new growth.
3. Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
Blue Star offers clusters of pale blue flowers in late spring, but its willow-like foliage stays attractive through summer and turns gold in fall. It prefers full to part sun and average to moist soil. This native perennial forms clumps and spreads slowly. Once established, it's a great structural plant for mixed borders. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, and pollinators visit its nectar-rich blooms.
4. Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium)
This striking native adds bold texture with globe-shaped, silver-blue flowers atop tall stalks. It flourishes in full sun and dry, sandy soil—perfect for xeriscaping or prairie gardens. Pollinators like bees and beetles are drawn to its bristly blooms. Its sword-like foliage resembles yucca, giving it an unexpected, sculptural look. It is extremely drought-tolerant and unappealing to deer. Pair it with butterfly weed or little bluestem for a rugged, vibrant combo.
5. Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)
Mountain mint is a pollinator powerhouse, with clusters of tiny pink or white flowers surrounded by soft silver or green bracts, depending on the species. Members of the Pycnanthemum genus thrive in full sun to part shade and adapt well to both moist and average soils. Their fragrant, minty foliage adds sensory appeal and naturally repels deer. These natives spread by rhizomes to form thick, weed-suppressing colonies. Bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects flock to their nectar-rich blooms.
6. Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)
Prairie smoke enchants early summer gardens with its nodding pink blooms that give way to feathery, smoke-like seed plumes. It flourishes in dry, well-drained soils and full sun, making it perfect for rock gardens and xeriscapes. Compact and ground-hugging, it weaves nicely along pathways or edges. The unusual seed heads add lasting visual interest well after flowering. Native to prairies and open woodlands, it's tough and drought-tolerant. A conversation starter that supports pollinators while adding charm and texture.
7. Wine Cups (Callirhoe involucrata)
Wine cups create a low-growing carpet of vivid magenta, cup-shaped flowers that bloom freely through summer. Thriving in hot, dry, sunny spots, they’re perfect for rock gardens, retaining walls, or cascading over edges. Their trailing stems weave beautifully among gravel or stone. The blooms open each morning and close by evening, adding a daily rhythm to your garden. A tough native perennial, it reblooms with deadheading and requires little care. Bees and other pollinators are frequent visitors.
8. Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Great blue lobelia commands attention with tall spires of vivid blue blooms that appear in late summer. It thrives in consistently moist soil and dappled shade but can manage full sun with regular watering. Its tubular flowers attract hummingbirds, bumblebees, and other native pollinators. It is ideal for pond edges, rain gardens, or wet borders where drainage is slow. Pair it with goldenrod or swamp milkweed for a dynamic native planting. Cut stems back after blooming to encourage a tidy clump and possible reseeding.
9. Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
Culver’s root makes a graceful statement with tall, candelabra-like spikes of white or lavender blooms that appear in midsummer. It thrives in full sun and moist to average soil, bringing structure to perennial borders. Pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, eagerly visit its nectar-rich flowers. Its upright form and fine foliage add elegance to prairie-style or naturalistic plantings. This deer-resistant native also looks striking among grasses or late-season bloomers. Leave the stems up through winter for added texture and wildlife shelter.
10. Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya)
Prairie blazing star produces tall, bottlebrush spikes of vibrant purple flowers from mid to late summer. This native thrives in full sun and moist to average soils, making it a standout in prairie gardens and mixed borders. Pollinators like monarchs and native bees are drawn to its nectar-rich blooms. Its upright form adds vertical interest while resisting flopping. The narrow foliage stays tidy throughout the season. Leave seed heads for birds and winter texture.
11. Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida)
Pale purple coneflower stands out with its narrow, drooping petals and tall central cone, offering a wilder look than its more common cousin. Blooming from early to mid-summer, it thrives in full sun and dry to average soil. Pollinators flock to its open-faced flowers, and birds love the seeds in fall. It’s easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant. The delicate form adds vertical movement to native or prairie-style plantings. Cut back after bloom to encourage reseeding or let it spread naturally.
12. Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)
Whorled milkweed is a slender, understated species with fine, needle-like foliage and clusters of small, fragrant white flowers in midsummer. It thrives in full sun and dry to average soil, making it ideal for meadows, slopes, or low-water gardens. A host plant for monarch caterpillars and a valuable nectar source, it's a must-have for pollinator-friendly spaces. The plant’s upright, airy form pairs well with grasses and other prairie natives. It spreads slowly and is easy to manage. Tolerates drought and deer.
13. Largeflower Beardtongue (Penstemon grandiflorus)
This striking native brings pale lavender to bluish flowers on tall, upright stems in late spring to summer. It loves full sun and well-drained soils, especially sandy or rocky sites. Pollinators adore the tubular blooms, and its thick, bluish foliage adds texture even when not in flower. A drought-tolerant standout in native, xeric, or wildflower gardens. Avoid overwatering, and enjoy the sculptural, vertical form.
14. Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
Obedient plants produce tall spikes of tubular, snapdragon-like blooms in pink, lavender, or white, adding vertical interest to summer beds. Thriving in full sun and moist soil, it attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies late in the season. This native spreads by rhizomes and can form colonies, so consider using root barriers or giving it plenty of space. It’s a standout in rain gardens, borders, or meadow-style plantings. The square stems and toothy leaves provide texture even when not in bloom. Deer-resistant and dependable, it adds life and color when other plants begin to fade.
16. Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)
Blue mistflower forms low, spreading colonies that burst into soft blue-purple clouds of blooms in late summer to early fall. It thrives in moist soil and full sun to part shade, often brightening up low-lying or soggy garden spots. Its rhizomatous habit makes it ideal for filling wildflower borders, naturalized areas, or pond edges. Bees, butterflies, and skippers flock to its fluffy blossoms for a late-season nectar boost. Though it spreads quickly, it's easy to manage with occasional thinning. Cut it back in spring to encourage dense, healthy growth.
17. Creeping Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans)
This woodland native features finely divided, fern-like foliage and soft blue, bell-shaped blooms that appear from spring to summer. It thrives in part to full shade and prefers moist, rich soil. Ideal for tucking under trees or along shaded borders, where it adds a gentle pop of color. Pollinators, especially early-season bees, are drawn to its nectar. The plant forms neat clumps, offering a tidy appearance even after bloom time. A charming and reliable option for low-light garden spots.
18. Bowman’s Root (Gillenia trifoliata)
Bowman’s root charms with clouds of delicate white flowers dancing on wiry red stems in late spring to summer. A woodland native, it prefers part shade and well-drained, humus-rich soil. Though slow to establish, it matures into a graceful, airy clump. In fall, its foliage transforms into warm shades of orange and red. This understated beauty works well in naturalistic plantings, woodland edges, or cottage gardens. Bonus: deer tend to pass it by.
19. Missouri Primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa)
Missouri primrose lights up the garden with glowing, lemon-yellow blooms that unfurl dramatically in the late afternoon and remain open through the evening. Native to dry prairies and rocky soils, it thrives in full sun and sharp drainage, making it a standout for slopes, gravel beds, or xeric gardens. The bold blooms contrast beautifully with its low, spreading foliage. It’s a reliable summer bloomer with minimal care—just occasional deadheading to prolong the show. Its trailing habit also suits containers, stone walls, or garden edges. A favorite of evening pollinators like moths and native bees.
20. Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa)
Wild senna is a bold, shrub-like native perennial that produces clusters of sunny yellow flowers in midsummer. Thriving in full sun and average to clay soil, it's exceptionally hardy and drought-tolerant once established. The pinnate foliage gives it a tropical flair and adds structure to mixed plantings. It's a vital host plant for sulfur butterfly caterpillars, making it a strong addition to pollinator gardens. This tall plant shines in the back of borders, wildflower meadows, or naturalized spaces. Leave seed pods through winter for visual interest and wildlife value.
21. Green-and-Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum)
This cheerful, low-growing native forms a lush green mat with bright golden-yellow star-shaped blooms in late spring and summer. It thrives in part sun and moist, well-drained soil, making it a perfect ground cover under shrubs, along woodland edges, or in shaded borders. The plant spreads gently by rhizomes, gradually filling gaps without becoming invasive. Pollinators, including native bees and small butterflies, are drawn to its nectar-rich flowers. Its fuzzy, textured foliage remains attractive well into summer. Green-and-gold adds reliable, low-maintenance charm to shade-friendly gardens.
24. Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
Blue-eyed grass is a petite iris relative that surprises with delicate, starry blue flowers nestled among grass-like foliage. It thrives in full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil, making it perfect for edging paths, borders, or small pollinator patches. Though it looks dainty, it’s a hardy native that’s easy to maintain and rarely browsed by deer. Blooms appear from late spring to summer, attracting small bees and pollinators. It pairs beautifully with spring wildflowers like woodland phlox or golden alexanders. Let it naturalize for a charming, meadow-like effect.
22. Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
Black cohosh sends up tall, airy spires of white flowers in mid to late summer, rising above ferny foliage. It thrives partly in full shade and moist, rich soil, making it perfect for woodland edges or shaded borders. Pollinators, including native bees and beetles, visit its fragrant blooms. This native is slow to mature but offers long-lasting impact and structure once established. Deer usually avoids it. Combine with ferns or hostas for a lush, layered look.
23. Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis)
Wild petunia is a tough, drought-tolerant native with soft lavender, bell-shaped blooms that resemble traditional petunias. Blooming from early summer through fall, it thrives in full sun to part shade and dry to average soils. Though short, this plant adds impact when massed or used as edging in native beds or rock gardens. It self-seeds lightly, filling gaps without overwhelming neighbors. Pollinators, especially bees, frequently visit its long-blooming flowers. It is a charming and adaptable ground cover with low water needs.
24. White Woodland Aster (Eurybia divaricata)
White woodland aster is a shade-loving native that produces delicate white, star-like blooms from late summer into fall. Its dark stems and airy habit provide a soft contrast to bold foliage plants in part to full shade. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in average to dry woodland soils and slowly spreads to form a low, naturalistic groundcover. It’s a valuable late-season nectar source for pollinators like bees and butterflies. It requires minimal maintenance and is great for layering beneath shrubs or taller shade bloomers. It's a must-have for woodland borders.
25. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild bergamot is a resilient native with airy, lavender-pink blooms and aromatic foliage that fills the summer garden with color and scent. Thriving in full sun and dry to average soil, it’s a favorite among bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This variety resists mildew better than many other bee balms, making growing in hot, dry conditions easier. Its open, untamed shape complements meadow plantings and prairie-style borders. The fragrant leaves—especially from Monarda fistulosa—can be used for herbal teas.
26. Downy Skullcap (Scutellaria incana)
Downy skullcap produces soft spikes of blue to violet flowers atop fuzzy stems and leaves in mid to late summer. This underused native thrives in full sun to partial shade and in average, well-drained soil. Bees and butterflies are drawn to the long bloom period, and the tidy, upright form fits well in borders or native plantings. It’s drought-tolerant and rarely bothered by deer. Combine with summer grasses or rudbeckias for a vibrant seasonal display.
Plan, Plant, and Enjoy!
Want a garden that turns heads? These Zone 6 plants have vibrant colors, rich textures, and pollinator-friendly blooms. Whether you love wild, untamed beauty or a perfectly curated landscape, this mix has something for you. Pair sun-lovers with shade dwellers and watch your garden come alive all season long. Ready to shake things up? Let the blooming begin!
Grow a thriving garden in every season with these expert Zone 6 tips: