10 Flowering Plants to Grow in Zone 9a in June

Zone 9a, with its mild winters and long growing season, offers the perfect environment for a wide variety of flowering plants. June is a great time to add bursts of color to your garden with heat-tolerant bloomers that will thrive through the summer and beyond. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, here are 10 vibrant flowering plants to plant in June in Zone 9a.

1. Zinnias

Zinnias are fast-growing, warm-season annual flowers that bloom with abandon, requiring only minimal care. These flowers come in bold, hot-palette colors, with new ones introduced yearly, including some cool whites. Zinnias thrive in full sunlight, preferring nutrient-rich, well-draining soil.

Zinnias are low maintenance. Since they're fast-growing, they shade out weeds. They don't require much in the way of fertilizing (just an occasional well-balanced mix), and they don't need mulching.

Deadheading helps to produce more flowers.

Why Zinnias? These sun-loving annuals are quick to grow and bloom profusely.

Colors: Red, orange, pink, purple, yellow, white

Bonus: Attract butterflies and are drought-tolerant.

Tip: Deadhead regularly for continuous blooms.

2. Marigolds

Marigolds are one of the most popular annual flowers, easily grown from seed or transplant, and when given the right conditions will overflow with bright blossoms that fill the garden with cheerful color. Marigolds are equally suitable for containers, as they are in the garden, and are even grown as a long-lasting cut flower, with a clean, crisp scent.

Marigolds are known for repelling various pests, including nematodes, aphids, caterpillars, slugs, hornworms, whiteflies, mosquitos, and even deer and rabbits. The strong scent of marigolds can also deter insects like ants and spiders.

Why Marigolds? Easy to grow and pest-repellent—perfect for vegetable garden borders.

Colors: Bright yellow, orange, and gold and lot more

Bonus: Good companion plant to deter harmful insects.

Tip: Choose African marigolds for larger blooms.

3. Vinca (Periwinkle)

Annual vincas are also known as periwinkles and are native to semi-arid regions of Africa, which is why they do well in warmer and drier settings.

Annual vincas are typically treated as summer annuals and won't survive frost. However, they can self-seed, so you might see seedlings appear the following spring.

Perennial vincas are hardy and can survive the winter in warmer climates, returning year after year.

In addition to having large, brightly colored flowers, vincas also have attractive foliage and are eye-catching even when not in bloom.

Why Vinca? A heat-tolerant and low-maintenance annual with glossy green leaves.

Colors: Pink, white, lavender, purple

Bonus: Thrives in poor soil and needs minimal water once established.

Tip: Avoid overwatering—vinca loves dry feet!

4. Cosmos

Cosmos are annual flowers with colorful, daisy-like flowers that sit atop long, slender stems. Blooming from summer through fall, they attract birds, bees, and butterflies to your garden. They’re grown easily from seeds and will even survive in poor soil conditions!

Annual Cosmos are highly sensitive to frost and freezing conditions, and will die back naturally once temperature drops. Pull the whole plant from the ground with the stem, shaking soil the from the roots back in to the garden, and toss plant onto a compost pile. Or, leave the plant in place to provide habitat for insects. Save seeds from seed pods for growing the following year; however, know that blossoms may not match the original since most are hybrids.

Why Cosmos? Airy, daisy-like blooms on tall, wispy stems—perfect for cottage gardens.

Colors: White, pink, orange, red

Bonus: Great for cutting gardens and pollinators.

Tip: Plant in full sun and do not over-fertilize.

5. Sunflowers

The common sunflower is a species of large annual forb of the daisy family Asteraceae. The common sunflower is harvested for its edible oily seeds, which are often eaten as a snack food. They are also used in the production of cooking oil, as food for livestock, as bird food, and as a plantings in domestic gardens for aesthetics.

Wild plants are known for their multiple flower heads, whereas the domestic sunflower often possesses a single large flower head atop an unbranched stem.Sunflowers grow best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil with heavy mulch.

Why Sunflowers? Tall, cheerful blooms that follow the sun—easy to grow from seed.

Colors: Yellow, red, orange, bronze

Bonus: Seeds feed birds and beneficial insects love them.

Tip: Support tall varieties with stakes or grow dwarf types in pots.

6. Salvia (Sage)

Salvia is a flowering plant, and it's often referred to as "sage". The terms are often used interchangeably, with "salvia" typically referring to the ornamental varieties and "sage" to the culinary herb. Salvia flowers come in a wide range of colors, including scarlet, purple, pink, blue, white, and yellow. They are known for their long flowering periods and ability to attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds.

Why Salvia? Long-blooming perennials and annuals that attract hummingbirds.

Colors: Purple, blue, red, white

Bonus: Heat and drought tolerant with aromatic leaves.

Tip: Prune lightly after blooms fade to encourage more flowering.

7. Portulaca (Moss Rose)

Also known as moss rose, portulaca plants delight gardeners with their vibrant multi-colored blooms. Unique in form and growth habit, portulaca are most commonly grown as an annual. Learning more about this flower's hardiness and needs for growth can help you decide if this species is a good choice for your own growing space.

This plant does best in full sun or bright direct light and very well-drained soil. Remove the spent blooms if growing outside to prevent self-seeding.

It has succulent leaves and colorful, showy flowers, growing well in containers. It can be grown as a houseplant as well.

Why Portulaca? A succulent annual that thrives in hot, sunny spots with poor soil.

Colors: Hot pink, yellow, white, red, coral

Bonus: Great ground cover for rock gardens and borders.

Tip: Needs well-drained soil—avoid soggy areas.

8. Lantana

Lantana is a perennial vining, flowering shrub in warm zones, and an annual in places with frosty winters. Fast-growing lantana produces rounded clusters of small, brightly colored flowers in yellow, orange, white, red, pink, blue, or purple; it is often used in hanging baskets or ground covers.

Lantana grows best in full sun conditions and requires at least six hours of direct sunlight, preferring neutral, well-draining soil and temperatures above 55ºF. Lantana is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Why Lantana? A butterfly magnet that blooms non-stop in heat.

Colors: Yellow, orange, red, pink, purple (often multicolor)

Bonus: Deer-resistant and low-maintenance.

Tip: Prune lightly to shape and remove spent flowers.

9. Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)

Gomphrena, also known as globe amaranth, is a delightful flowering annual grown for the petite globe-shaped blooms that can be enjoyed fresh or as dried flowers. There are pink, red, orange, purple and white gomphrena varieties, which have narrow deep green leaves and a compact or upright growth habit. Native to Central and South America, most cultivated varieties are from the species Gomphrena globosa, though there are other species grown as garden plants.

Why Gomphrena? Globe-shaped blooms that hold their color even when dried.

Colors: Purple, pink, white, red

Bonus: Excellent in both fresh and dried arrangements.

Tip: Pinch tips when young for bushier growth.

10. Torenia (Wishbone Flower)

Wishbone flower is a low-growing annual with lovely two-tone lilac-purple flowers. It prefers part sun to shade, especially in hot summer climates. Plant in rich moist soils and mulch to help keep the roots cool. They can also be brought inside for the winter.

Use this plant in a container, hanging basket or the front of the shade border. Pinch them back to retain a bushier shape. There are many varieties and cultivars to extend the color choice.

Why Torenia? A shade-loving flowering plant—perfect for under trees or in containers.

Colors: Purple, blue, pink, yellow

Bonus: Great alternative to impatiens and attracts bees.

Tip: Keep soil moist but well-drained.

Final Tips for June Planting in Zone 9a:

• Water deeply in the mornings to help plants survive the heat.

• Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.

• Use slow-release fertilizer to promote strong, steady growth.

• Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and spider mites, which thrive in summer.

With just a little planning and care, your Zone 9a garden can become a vibrant tapestry of color and life all summer long. Whether you're filling flower beds, containers, or pollinator-friendly corners, these flowering plants will reward you with non-stop blooms and beautiful garden vibes! Happy gardening!!