Garden Plant Lists: Proven Picks for Every Need

We encourage you to buy plants locally, but if they're not available - buy Proven Winners plants online and have them shipped right you your door.

Choosing plants can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. As fellow gardeners, we’ve trialed hundreds of varieties and hand‑picked the ones that truly perform.

Use these garden plant lists to find the right plants for your space. Pull them up on your phone while you browse the nursery so the perfect choices are at your fingertips.

Whether you’re battling scorching summers, hungry deer, or just want color that keeps coming, these lists make plant selection easy.

Top Plant Lists Gardeners Love

Plant Picks for Sun or Shade

If your beds bake in all-day sun or stay comfortably dim beneath trees, start here. These quick lists pair Proven Winners^® varieties with the light they love so you can skip the guesswork and grow with confidence.

• Full Sun Annuals for Patios & Window Boxes
  Colorful annuals that keep blooming on blazing patios and balconies
• 19 Shade Plants to Brighten Your Garden
  Reliable performers for spots that get four hours of sun or less

Need even more ideas? Browse our Sun-Loving Plants guide for tough combos, or dive into the lush Tropical Shade Garden recipe for vibrant color in low-light spaces.

Wildlife: Attract the Good, Deter the Bad

Plant a buffet for birds while steering hungry deer elsewhere.

Color & Seasonal Highlights

Add instant wow—whether you crave sunshine-bright blooms or a late-season encore of color. These Proven Winners^® lists point you to varieties that stand out the moment they flower.

• Yellow Flowers
  Effortless pops of gold and lemon that shine from spring through fall.
• Blue Flowers
  Ten annuals to add a touch of calming blue to your garden.
• Spring Flowers
  Cheerful options for adding color to your spring garden.
• Fall Flowers
  Late bloomers that carry vibrant color right up to frost.
• Winter Plants
  Beautiful plants to enjoy through the coldest months of the year.

Building a palette? Start with yellow, then layer in reds, purples, and more from our full collection of color-themed lists.

Looking for more seasonal info? Check out our Through the Seasons archives for ways to keep your garden going year round. 

Explore Yellow Flowers

Find Plants for Your Region

Select a list tailored to your climate and give your garden the best chance to thrive.

Want to explore even more regions and climates? Visit our full Plants by Climate guide for tailored lists from the cold North to the tropical South.

Your Plant List Questions, Answered

What’s the very first thing I should check before picking plants?

Start with your climate zone, then your light conditions. Use our USDA Hardiness Zone Map to see which plants can survive your winters, and then note whether the spot you’re planting is full sun, part shade, or deep shade.

How do I narrow the choices once I know my zone and light?

Look for plants that match your needs. We have heat-proof annuals for sunny patios, deer-resistant shrubs for woodland edges, or shade lovers for spots under trees. Each list links directly to Proven Winners^® varieties so you can zero in quickly.

Where can I get a step-by-step guide to choosing outdoor plants?

Visit our companion hub, Finding the Best Outdoor Plants, for detailed advice on soil, style goals, maintenance level, and more.

Can I save or print a list for nursery shopping?

Absolutely. Each list page is mobile-friendly and includes a print button. Pull it up on your phone or bring a hard copy to the garden center for quick reference.