Everything in this slideshow
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Catchy Columbine
This pink columbine photo submitted by BHG.com reader S. Sikorski (Z3) shows the plant’s delicate beauty. Columbine is a good choice for cottage and woodland gardens because it is easy to grow and self seeds, creating colonies over time. Experienced gardeners appreciate it for its whimsical blooms in many colors and easy-care nature.
- See more photos from S. Sikorski.
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Awesome Allium
BHG.com reader dhaywood2796145 submitted this in-your-face view of a giant allium. A spectacular bulb for the late spring garden, giant allium is a great choice because it’s long-lived and ignored by most garden pests, including hungry deer and bunnies.
- Learn about other alliums you can grow.
- See more photos from dhaywood2796145.
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Beautiful Bearded Iris
This gorgeous bearded iris photo was submitted by BHG.com reader petunias3524962. The maroon standards and falls streaked with white and gold are standouts in the spring garden.
- See more iris photos by petunias3524962.
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Pretty in Pink
Daylilies seem to have it all — they boast beautiful flowers in a wide range of colors; they have a carefree nature; and they’re largely left alone by pests and diseases. BHG.com reader awoodrow58 shared this terrific pink one.
- See more photos from awoodrow58.
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Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart
This shot of old-fashioned bleeding heart from BHG.com reader alawand1 demonstrates why it is a favorite perennial flower in the shady spring garden. The heart-shape blooms pierced by white “arrows” dangle gracefully from arching stems.
- See other photos by alawand1.
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Flower Carpet Rose
This coral-pink Flower Carpet rose photo from BHG.com reader ellisgardener is a beautiful example of groundcover roses. The Flower Carpet series of roses are low-growing spreaders with glossy green foliage and flower colors such as pink, red, peach, scarlet, yellow, or white.
- See other photos by ellisgardener.
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Out-of-this-World Dahlia
With a starburst pattern of lavender and cream petals, this ‘Starheim’ dahlia looks like a celestial body. This photo was submitted by BHG.com reader crazykaos, who grows many other flowers in addition to dahlias.
- See other photos by crazykaos.
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Tropical Snow
‘Snowfire’ hibiscus is named for its brilliant red blooms splashed with white streaks. BHG.com reader GardenSam captured the coloration in this gorgeous photo.
- See other flower photos by GardenSam.
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Crazy Coneflower
‘Pink Double Delight’ coneflower is a twice-as-good form of the more common purple coneflower. This picture from BHG.com reader MudBug shows its pom-pom form surrounded by pink ray petals.
- See other flower photos by MudBug.
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Woodland Wildflower
This shot of trillium from BHG.com reader mssjn3168696 clearly shows three petals in the bloom and the three-lobed leaves of this early spring woodland native flower.
- See other photos by mssjn3168696.
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Climbing Clematis
Clematis is a favorite perennial vine with showy flowers in colors including pink, purple, blue, white, lavender, red, and bicolor. This shot of ‘Nelly Moser’ clematis sent in by petunias3524962 shows the striking carmine midstripe on pale pink petals characteristic of the variety.
- See other photos by petunias3524962.
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Springtime Beauty
Nothing says spring more than tulips. This shot of a red-and-gold tulip from BHG.com reader natasha_g_00 shows why these bulbs are so popular. Their cheery colors brighten the landscape after drab winter days.
- See other photos by natasha_g_00.
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Blooming Groundcover
Creeping phlox makes an outstanding groundcover for sun or part shade. In spring it is covered with star-shape blooms in pink, white, or lavender, as in this photo from reader dhannam2. The rest of the year, its dense, needlelike foliage keeps weeds at bay.
- See other photos by dhannam2.
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Shining Sunflower
Sunflowers represent summer’s abundance of sunshine and warmth. This closeup view from BHG.com reader elpater exhibits the complex form of this common composite flower in the daisy family. Whether you grow them strictly for their flowers or for seeds to feed the birds, take time to enjoy their intricacies.
- See other photos by elpater.
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Wondrous Water Lily
Water lilies add an exotic touch to any water feature with still water. The photo of this tropical purple-and-yellow water lily duo from BHG.com reader ehasygabg is an attention grabber. Other water lilies are available in pink, rose, white, or cream.
- See other photos by ehasygabg.
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Black-Eyed Susan
Grow delightful black-eyed Susan as an annual flower or a perennial flower, depending on the type. The one in this photo from BHG.com reader michaudmerc is a large-flowered annual type. Sometimes it self-seeds and comes back a second year, but even with just one year of bloom, it’s sunny face brightens the flower border.
- See other photos by michaudmerc.
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SOURCE:http://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/annuals/our-readers-best-blooms/