These Are the Best Flowers to Plant in Your Summer Garden 

This summer, let your garden and your arrangements do more than just bloom. Inspired by Jenny Barker’s new book Flower Energy: Channeling the Healing Power of Blooms, we’re exploring how seasonal flowers can lift your spirit, spark confidence, and bring moments of joy and calm during summer’s most expansive months.

Summer’s Exhale: Energy in June and July

As the days stretch longer and routines loosen with the arrival of summer, the season carries a lightening energy. School lets out, travel begins, and there’s a collective sigh of relief as life slows just enough to invite ease, joy, and connection. “June and July carry a lightening, exhale-type energy. It’s the moment when the year loosens its grip,” Barker explains.

In gardens and homes, this energy shows up in flowers that feel happy, open, and emotionally freeing. Peonies take center stage in June and early July. Barker calls them “emotional release flowers” that “help soften anger, melt frustration, and let the heart unclench.” As peonies fade, dahlias step forward, bringing the celebratory spirit of summer. “Dahlias are all about friendship, celebration, and shared joy. They’re social flowers, perfect for gatherings, long dinners, and summer nights that linger.”

For a calming, natural touch, Barker recommends adding daisies, chamomile, or wildflower-style blooms. “Chamomile especially brings a calming, soothing energy. It quiets anxiety and reduces worry, which feels important as families shift into summer schedules, kids are home, and routines change.”

Bouquets That Boost Confidence

For joy and confidence, Barker favors bold, expressive flowers. “Sunflowers are natural confidence amplifiers. Their scale, their posture, and especially that deep, dark center create contrast, which energetically ignites inner strength. They’re about standing tall, being seen, and trusting your own light.”

Red roses bring heart-led confidence. “They help you listen to your intuition and move from desire rather than doubt. When you’re feeling unsure or emotionally scattered, red roses reconnect you to your inner voice and personal power.” Pairing bright yellows, reds, or hot pinks with sunflowers activates courage and joy, while eucalyptus softens and balances the arrangement. “The result is an arrangement that feels joyful, unapologetic, and emotionally empowering. It’s the kind of bouquet that quietly says, ‘Stand in who you are and go for it.'”

Flowers for Grounding and Calm

From “Flower Energy” by Jenny Barker. Photograph © 2026 by Simonne Villamichel Borel. Published by Running Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Barker’s go-to, long-lasting, steady blooms include carnations, chrysanthemums, and spray roses. “They’re durable, affordable, and emotionally stabilizing. They don’t wilt at the first sign of heat or stress, which matters when summer schedules are unpredictable.”

Lisianthus is a favorite for mental ease. “It’s elegant but resilient, and it offers both buds and open blooms on the same stem, which feels symbolic of growth and patience. Even a single stem in a vase feels intentional and calming.”

Intuitive Arranging: Let the Garden Lead

From “Flower Energy” by Jenny Barker. Photograph © 2026 by Simonne Villamichel Borel. Published by Running Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Barker encourages gardeners and arrangers to take the pressure off and trust their instincts. “The best advice I can give is to take the pressure off. Working intuitively with flowers isn’t about knowing meanings or doing it ‘right.’ It’s about letting your body lead before your mind does,” she says. Barker often mixes professionally grown flowers with clippings from the garden, herbs, branches, and even unexpected food blooms like celery. “Nothing beats the look and energy of garden meets grocery store meets farm.”

For Barker, arranging is more about relationship than perfection. “Let the garden participate. Let things change. Let it feel lived in. When flowers are allowed to be part of your everyday rhythm, their energy speaks for itself.” Staples such as sunflowers, dahlias, roses, mint, and rosemary provide grounding and emotional support, while light, airy fillers like green mist and Queen Anne’s lace add movement. By letting intuition guide your blooms, each bouquet becomes not just a decoration but also a reflection of summer’s joy, ease, and connection.

Get the Book

Copyright © 2026 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.

5 Feel-Good Flowers for a Summer Bouquet

Jenny Barker curates her go-to summer blooms that feel joyful, calming, and intuitively supportive.

Sunflowers

From “Flower Energy” by Jenny Barker. Photograph © 2026 by Simonne Villamichel Borel. Published by Running Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

How to use: Let them lead the arrangement. One to three stems in a simple vase feels intentional and bold. Balance with soft greenery or airy fillers.

Energy they bring: Confidence, joy, and forward momentum. Activate courage and stand fully in your light.

Dahlias

From “Flower Energy” by Jenny Barker. Photograph © 2026 by Simie Seaman. Published by Running Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

How to use: Mix sizes and tones for a relaxed, garden-gathered look, or keep in one color family for quiet sophistication.

Energy they bring: Friendship, celebration, emotional openness. Support connection and shared happiness.

Lisianthus

From “Flower Energy” by Jenny Barker. Photograph © 2026 by Simonne Villamichel Borel. Published by Running Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

How to use: Include both buds and open blooms for movement and depth. Even a few stems anchor an arrangement and make it feel polished yet calm.

Energy they bring: Emotional balance and mental ease. Softens stress and supports grounded energy.

Queen Anne’s Lace

From “Flower Energy” by Jenny Barker. Photograph © 2026 by Simonne Villamichel Borel. Published by Running Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

How to use: Weave throughout an arrangement or place a single stem in a small vase for airy movement. Softens bold flowers beautifully.

Energy they bring: Lightness, relaxation, and breath. Helps ease anxiety and creates spacious calm.

Carnations

Photo by selimaksan/Getty Images

How to use: Use tight-headed blooms so they open slowly. Mix with garden clippings or branches for refined yet casual charm.

Energy they bring: Stability, comfort, and grounding. Perfect for high-energy summer environments.

We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission.