17 Best Flowers for the Vegetable Garden

Borage

Borage (Borago officinalis) grows into a wide, gangly plant that is lovely in a cottage garden, though it can be somewhat messy in more formal settings. It is an herb that is right at home in a vegetable garden. The flowers are a beacon for bees and a delight for gardeners. It's known as part of the best vegetable garden companion trios: borage, tomatoes, and squash. Both its leaves and flowers are edible with a subtle cucumber flavor. The plant is fast growing and can be directly sown in the ground. After that, it tends to reseed itself.

Some borage flowers are pink and some are blue. Light, temperature, and other external conditions can cause this color variation. One theory is the color changes from pink to blue as the flowers age and lose their pollen. Presumably, the blue color tells pollinators the flower is no longer worth their effort. Pulmonaria, which is in the same family, does this with its flowers.

• USDA Growing Zones: N/A (annual plant)
• Color Varieties: Blue, pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part sun
• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
• Companion vegetables: Tomatoes, squash, strawberries, cabbage

Nasturtium

Cheerful nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) prefer cooler temperatures and continue blooming well into the fall. Nasturtiums offer some protection from squash bugs and beetles. They also are favored by aphids and make a great trap crop. But they are one of the more delicious edible flowers (and leaves), so do not sacrifice them all to the insects.

The seeds are large and easy to collect for replanting next season. Many varieties will seed on their own. Plant the seeds after scarifying them first (nicking them or rubbing them with sandpaper) to help their germination. Or you can try turning them into nasturtium capers.

• USDA Growing Zones: N/A (annual plant)
• Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, cream
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Poor to average, slightly acidic, well-draining
• Companion vegetables: Radishes, Brussel sprouts, winter squash, cabbage, broccoli, kale

Pot Marigold

Pot marigolds (Calendula officinalis) are part of the daisy family and are not related to marigolds of the genus Tagetes. Pot marigolds are considered an edible flower, though they have a predominately bitter flavor. It is their brilliant orange color that livens up a plate.

In the garden, calendula is a mixed blessing. It repels some pests, such as asparagus beetles and tomato hornworms. But it also attracts a few others, including aphids. Do not let that stop you from planting this flower. You can use it as a trap crop, putting it on the other side of the vegetable garden away from plants that aphids often attack, such as peas.

• USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
• Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, pink, cream
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, slightly acidic to neutral, well-draining
• Companion vegetables: Tomatoes, winter squash, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce

Cosmos

Few flowers grow as easily and bloom as profusely as cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus). And those blooms can be put to practical use in the vegetable garden, as they attract many helpful insects. For instance, if you want to draw in green lacewings, choose a white or bright orange variety, such as 'Cosmic Orange'.

Green lacewings are voracious eaters, vacuuming up all sorts of soft-bodied insects, including aphids, scale, and thrips. Thus, they are considered beneficial insects, and making them at home in your vegetable garden will help to prevent pest problems.

• USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
• Color Varieties: Pink, purple, red, yellow, orange, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Average, moderate moisture, well-draining
• Companion vegetables: Tomatoes, beets, peppers, pumpkins

Lavender

It's not difficult to find a reason to plant some lavender (Lavandula sp.). In addition to its beautiful blooms and much-loved fragrance, the herb can be used to repel several common vegetable garden pests.

Deer tend to avoid it, along with many insects, including ticks. Of course, having lavender around doesn't guarantee a tick won't bite you, but it should cut down on the number of ticks in the area. In addition, moths—including those pesky green cabbage moths—also find the scent offensive. Even mice typically find somewhere else to snack.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Color Varieties: Purple, violet-blue, rose, pale pink, white, yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Lean, alkaline, well-draining
• Companion vegetables: Lettuce, brassicas (cabbage and mustard family), onions, tomatoes, oregano, and squash

Marigold

Marigolds (Tagetes sp.) do not get the respect they deserve. They head off pests both above and below the ground, and they look great doing it. Ring your garden with marigold plants, and rabbits will think twice before crossing the line. Plus, confuse Mexican bean beetles by interplanting marigolds with bean plants in your vegetable garden.

Marigolds are credited with repelling squash bugs, thrips, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are also known to exude a chemical that kills root nematodes in the soil. However, if nematodes are a problem, you will need to leave the marigold roots in the soil at the end of the season.

• USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
• Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, gold
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
• Companion vegetables: Beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, lettuce

Sunflower

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are a perfect flower for the vegetable garden. They make great trellises for climbing plants, and they have lots of nectar to attract pollinators.

Unfortunately, sunflowers also tend to attract squirrels, which can be a problem if you are growing them to save the seeds. However, a coarse-leaved vegetable, such as squash, planted beneath the sunflowers can go a long way to stop animals from getting into your garden.​

• USDA Growing Zones: N/A (annual plant)
• Color Varieties: Yellow, red, burgundy, chocolate
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Average, moist, well-draining
• Companion vegetables: Radishes, cucumbers, onion, tomatoes, corn, squash

Sweet Pea

Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are not edible for humans (the seeds are toxic), but many other creatures find them delicious. So if you have difficulty keeping them in your flower garden, planting them in a protected vegetable garden is an alternative.

Growing sweet peas with tall, edible peas and pole beans is a way to squeeze them into the garden and get the benefit of attracting more pollinators to your beans. They will not cross-pollinate with the edible peas, as they belong to different genera.

• USDA Growing Zones: N/A (annual plant)
• Color Varieties: Red, pink, blue, purple, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Humusy, medium moisture, well-draining
• Companion vegetables: Peas, beans, cucumbers, carrots, spinach, turnips

Zinnia

Nectar-rich zinnia (Zinnia elegans) flowers are magnets for bees and other pollinators. They are also popular with hummingbirds. The paler, pastel varieties seem to be attractive to Japanese beetles and can be used as a trap crop. On the other hand, you might not want to plant anything that attracts Japanese beetles unless you already have a problem you're trying to solve.

Moreover, planting zinnia flowers in the vegetable garden gives you the opportunity to use them as cut flowers without having to worry about the gaps left behind from your cuttings. Gaps are expected in a vegetable garden as you harvest your crops.

• USDA Growing Zones: N/A (annual plant)
• Color Varieties: Red, pink, yellow, orange, lilac, purple, green, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Humusy, well-draining
• Companion vegetables: Tomatoes, lettuce, beans, cucumber, potatoes, asparagus

Pansy

The same adorable pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) that make you smile can also perk up a cool-weather vegetable garden. Many gardeners use them as cover crops because they are fast-growing and able to quickly retain moisture. But they're edible, too. It's tough to use these flowers in the heat, so it's best for fall-to-spring vegetable gardens. Some varieties of pansies can withstand frost and light snow, but the flower will die off in the winter.

Though they aren't fussy, plant pansies in loose, rich soil that's slightly acidic (6.0 to 6.2). Keep them moist but not soggy, and don't subject them to high humidity.

• USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 11
• Color Varieties: White, yellow, purple, blue, red, pink
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, acidic
• Companion vegetables: Kale, Swiss chard, parsley, cabbage
  

Petunia

Petunias (Petunia spp.) are popular for the display of their wide trumpet-shaped blooms but vegetable gardens need them because they repel plenty of garden bugs, such as asparagus beetles, leafhoppers, Mexican bean beetles, and tomato worms. These plants are also fast-growing annuals that work well when planted around the perimeter of the vegetable garden.

Petunias aren't tough to care for, giving you one less plant to worry about in the vegetable garden. Pinch dead flowers to continue their bloom. Just water them consistently; they can withstand wet conditions.

• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
• Color Varieties: Pink, purple, yellow, red, orange, green, white
  
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, acidic
• Companion vegetables: Beans, tomatoes, corn, peas, onions, asparagus
  

Dahlia

Dahlias (Dahlia spp.) bloom late season and have long-lasting lush, abundant petals that last for three months. It's a beloved plant for a vegetable garden because it attracts butterflies which in turn pollinates the vegetables. The flower also attracts other pests so you'll need to pair it up with another bug-repelling flower depending on your crop. Dahlias also grow a little taller than other flowers, up to 6 feet, so consider that when planting so it doesn't throw too much shade on shorter plants.

Plant perennial dahlia tubers in a sunny spot in the garden in the early spring once the soil has warmed. Don't let the soil dry around dahlias, especially in hot, dry summers. This flower feeds heavily, and requires a fertilizer with a high percentage of phosphorus (a 10-30-20 ratio) to encourage blooming.

• USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 10
• Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, white
  
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained, neutral to acidic
• Companion vegetables: Tomatoes, beans, eggplant, squash, peppers
  

Cornflower

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) also called bachelor's button, are beautiful annuals in a wildflower garden but also attract pollinators into the vegetable garden. These carnation-like blooms that are known for their deep blue color are also attractive to plant with vegetables because they are just about disease- and pest-free. Native to Europe, cornflower grows as a weed in cornfields and fields of grain, like wheat, barley, rye, or oats.

Cornflower typically blooms for about 10 weeks (from May to mid-July), but deadheading spent flowers increases the bloom time. Versatile cornflower tolerates hot summer days and light freezes.

• USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11
• Color Varieties: Blue, purple, pink, white, red
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, alkaline
• Companion Vegetables: Corn, tomatoes, beans, butternut squash, basil

Sweet Alyssum

The tiny flowers of sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) create a colorful carpet in the garden. The cool-season perennial is a winner for a vegetable garden because it attracts beneficial friends, like ladybugs and hoverflies, that protect their vegetable companions. Sweet alyssum also brings butterflies and other pollinators into the garden.

Sweet alyssum is easy to care for, tolerates and even blooms in cool temperatures, and spreads to provide a type of mulch for your vegetable garden. This plant also tolerates different environments, such as coastal areas and boggy areas where drainage is less than ideal.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Color Varieties: White, pink, purple
• Sun Exposure: Full or partial
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, neutral to acidic
• Companion vegetables: Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, eggplant, lettuce, potatoes
  

Mums

Hardy mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium) aren't just for autumn porches, they are ideal for fall vegetable gardens to keep away an abundance of nasty pests. Plant them next to petunias and marigolds for an extra punch of protection for your vegetables. They are easy to grow, colorful, and great around tomatoes but they do need full sun so they may be competing with some vegetables.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
• Color Varieties: Gold, yellow, bronze, red, burgundy, pink, lavender, purple, cream, white, rust, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
• Companion vegetables: Tomatoes, pumpkins
  

Daylily

Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are popular perennials that attract pollinators and hummingbirds to their large open petals that grow around borders and edges. It's one tough plant to have around, chokes out weeds, and is easy to maintain though the plant grows up to 5 feet tall so you don't want it to cast too many shadows over shorter plants.

The plant blooms from spring through late summer and does best in full sun and is slightly drought tolerant. Daylilies are for the most part pest-free and even rabbits avoid them but not deer.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
• Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, purple, pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun (tolerates part shade/light woodland)
• Soil Needs: Deep fertile medium loamy soil (tolerates light sandy or heavy clay), acidic
• Companion vegetables: Carrots, tomatoes, and any leafy green such as lettuce, Swiss chard, kale, mustard greens, radicchio
  

Lupine

Lupines (Lupinus x hybrida) may produce showy and striking colorful spires in the landscape but it is an invaluable vegetable garden addition because it's a legume that also fixes the nitrogen in the soil for other nitrogen-loving plants.

The plant needs full sun but tolerates some shade, especially in hot climates. Plant lupine in organically rich soil with sharp drainage, neutral to acidic soil pH, but don't leave them in soggy soil or it will form root rot. Lupines prefer cooler summers and don't do well in high humidity.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Color Varieties: White, pink, red, yellow, blue, purple
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, neutral to acidic
• Companion vegetables: Corn, tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, pole beans, cucumbers, squash, and okra