Top 10 Flowers that Thrive in Oklahoma Heat

It’s hard to imagine that any flowering plant could survive the hellish heat of Oklahoma summers, but miraculously, there are. Here are ten plants that not only have staying power, but even thrive in our state.

Phlox

This plant loves well-drained, fertile soil and will thrive in both sunshine and shade. Some varieties, such as Cherry Cream and Passalong Pink, are mildew and disease resistant.

Lilies

Plant these in October to enjoy all summer long, but be careful–they don’t like overcrowding. They prefer morning sun, but can handle afternoon sun. They do not like shade.

Coneflower

There are many varieties of this flower, but the most colorful is Cheyenne Spirit. The easiest to grow though is PowWow Wild Berry. Coneflowers are great for attracting pollinators.

Coleus

Once established, they are sun tolerant if kept watered. They pair well with native prairie plants.

Marigold

One of the hardiest flowers, it’s known to be drought tolerant and can handle the heat.

Cosmos

Low-maintenance, cosmos are so easy to grow that they can seed themselves. They enjoy full sun the most, but will also grow in partial shade.

Begonia

Though this flower is drought tolerant, it thrives best in the shade. This is a great option for a garden that doesn’t get a lot of sun.

Goldenrod

Mostly known as a wildflower, it can be grown in a garden with little maintenance. Deer resistant and drought tolerant, they prefer partial to full sun and can grow up to eight feet.

Zinnia

Super adaptable, this flower prefers full sun, but can grow in the shade too. They are drought tolerant and will attract butterflies.

Yarrow

This plant spreads rapidly, so it’s great for covering ground. It can handle a lot of heat and is drought tolerant.