Color choices

Most of these instant color plants will be sun lovers — but there are some that prefer shade.

Golden For yellows, golds and oranges, choose between prolific bloomers coreopsis and rudbeckia. Gaillardias also add brilliant summer colors. All three feature large daisy-like flowers.

Pinks For pink lovers, there is the endless blooming Mexican evening primrose (Oenothera Siskiyou), pink flowering yarrow and marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens), as well as pink flowering salvias.

Reds Reds offer many choices, from red marguerites and salvias, to red heleniums. Dahlias are abundant during the summer, offering up reds and oranges.

Purples & blues For blues and purples galore, salvias, dahlias and African daisies all add vibrant colors.

Shade choices For shady spots, consider the vivid foliage of gallon coleus; or use coral bells to add a splash of color. Keep an eye out for vibrant fuchsias and 4-inch tuberous begonias that are in bloom. (See also hanging baskets.)

Hanging baskets Hanging baskets offer a variety of pleasing color displays, from the vivid hues of multicolor million bells and petunias to the softer palette of herbs combined with white or lavender bacopa. Other shade-lovers that are equally at home in a basket are begonias, fuchsias, New Guinea impatiens and asparagus ferns.