What Kind of Flowers to Plant in April to Bloom in the Summer in the State of Kentucky

• Kentucky has a long growing season that's suitable for growing a variety of flowering plants. Arthur Tilley/Creatas/Getty Images

  Kentucky is located in U.S Department of Agriculture planting zones 5 and 6. The average last frost date may be March 30 or as late as April 30 in some locations, so protection may be needed for tender annuals and perennials planted in April to provide blooms in summer. The long growing season in Kentucky provides gardeners the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of flowering plants.

Dahlberg Daisy

• Dahlbeg daisy or golden-fleece (Dyssodia tenuiloba) is a low-growing perennial grown as an annual in Kentucky. It has a mounding habit and produces yellow flowers during the summer. Only growing to 12 inches tall, the Dahlberg daisy is considered drought tolerant and suitable for xeriscaping and rock gardens.

Begonia

• Bedding begonia or wax begonia (Begonia semperflorens-cultorum) is a popular bedding plant for part-shade to sunny locations receiving at least four hours of sunlight each day. They have broad waxy leaves and produce blooms throughout the growing season. The flowers may be pink, red, orange, red or white. Begonias grow best in moist, well-drained garden soil that is highly enriched with organic matter, such as compost.

Butterfly Bush

• The butterfly bush or summer lilac (Buddleia davidii) is a fast-growing, deciduous, tender perennial that blooms the first year after planting. It is a shrub, growing to 6 feet and spreading to 3 feet or more. It blooms on new wood, so old blooms can be pruned off the plant to encourage more blooms during the season. The flowers are long panicles and may be pink, purple, blue, yellow or white. True to its name, the flowers attract hordes of butterflies.

Mexican Sunflower

• Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) is often used in butterfly gardens. It produces soft velvety foliage and bright orange daisy-like flowers. It grows as tall 6 feet with a spread of 3 feet. It is considered a dependable annual in Kentucky gardens and is disease and pest resistant.

Cosmos

• Cosmos, or Mexican aster (Cosmos bipinnatus), are a fast-growing annual that can be planted from seed to provide blooms within 60 days after planting. Cosmos grow to 4 feet tall and provide flowers of orange, red, pink, purple or white on wiry stems in average garden soil. Space cosmos plants 12 inches apart so the plants will grow strong and sturdy. Cosmos reseed freely throughout the growing season and provide blooms until the first frost in fall. Cosmos are an easy-to-grow plant suitable for children's garden.

Star Flower

• Star flower, or pentas (Pentas lanceolata), grow to 4 feet tall and the broad leaves provide a fast-growing annual plant for Kentucky gardens. The flowers of pentas may be pink, red or white, depending on the variety. Pentas can be grown in part shade where they only receive four hours of sunlight each day. They grow best in well-drained garden soil enriched with organic matter.