Rainbow Curb Appeal: Planting a Spectrum Garden With Native Perennials for Pride Month

If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate Pride Month, consider planting a rainbow garden in your yard.

Not only do native perennials boost local biodiversity, they’re the easiest way to bring it to life. 

“Native plants are from the same habitat of your region's wildlife, meaning bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds can quickly move in and kick off a self-sustaining cycle of nectar, pollen, and pollination. They ultimately keep your entire garden healthier and more resilient,” explains Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development at Terra Nova Nurseries in Canby, OR.

Furthermore, these plants can enhance your home’s curb appeal while giving you a meaningful way to honor the LGBTQ+ community.

How to design a rainbow garden by color

The best way to create a rainbow garden is to organize native plants into distinct color zones, creating a balanced, beautiful design. 

"Plant in a sweeping diagonal drift—red at one end fading through orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet at the other—rather than rigid stripes. This mimics the natural arc of a rainbow and creates the painterly, intentional quality that elevates a walkway into an experience," says Linda Vater, garden designer in Oklahoma City and author of "A Year of Garden-Inspired Living."

Here are some plant suggestions from experts, broken down by color:

Red

“Peonies are prized for their spectacular blooms, incredible fragrance, and long lifespan. Plus, they come in so many varieties,” says Halina Shamshur, resident botany expert at Plantum, a plant identifier and care app based in Miami. 

Old Faithful, for example, has dark red, velvety blooms while Red Grace is a densely double peony with a rich red-burgundy color. America is a bright red variety with large, lacelike flowers, while Topeka Garnet stands out with its garnet petals that surround golden stamens. 

Pavlich also suggests the red coneflower as it’s an easy-to-grow, full-sun perennial that will wow you with its rich, red bloom.

Another red option is the cardinal flower, a plant with spikelike clusters of bright red flowers that attract hummingbirds. 

Orange

Butterfly weed is a North American native well known for its bright orange flower clusters. 

“It's a favorite among butterflies, especially the endangered Monarch butterfly,” Shamshur explains.

You can also plant the orange coneflower, which blooms July through October.

 “It’s a great native perennial for mixed beds, known for its upright growth and unique color,” says Pavlich.

In addition, Vater suggests the blanket flower.

"It's nearly indestructible, and you'll appreciate its fiery blooms all summer long," Vater explains.

Yellow

Shamshur recommends the orange coneflower as it’s an easy-care perennial with cheerful yellow flowers and dark brown centers. 

You can also get your yellow fix with the threadleaf coreopsis, a delicate plant with thin, needlelike leaves and star-shaped, golden-yellow flowers. 

Another hot pick is foamy bells, which feature lovely chartreuse lobed leaves with deep crimson markings. 

“Enjoying partial to full shade, try these in hanging baskets or as a yellow ground cover,” says Pavlich.

Green

The ostrich fern offers a luxurious green texture when planted in shady, moist corners of your yard. 

“There's also the dogfennel, an ornamental North American perennial. It blooms with small, fluffy white-green flower clusters,” explains Shamshur.

Additionally, Pavlich recommends lime coral bells, a native, cold-tolerant species from Canada that displays its dense, lime leaves year round.

Blue

As for blue tones, the great blue lobelia blooms with rich blue, bell-shaped flowers and is ideal for wet, shady areas of the garden. 

Vater is also a huge fan of blue sage, a tall, airy, late-season bloom that's genuinely blue.

Jacob’s ladder is another top contender.

“Its vibrant lilac-blue hue adds foliage texture in any garden,” explains Pavlich.

Violet

When it comes to violet plants, the blazing star should be on your radar as it forms tall, purple-magenta spikes. It's a very hardy plant for sunny spots and draws in plenty of pollinators. 

“The lavender is another low-maintenance, fragrant plant that's ideal for sunny, dry areas,” Shamshur adds.

If you prefer a real showstopper here, purple-leaved coral bells have you covered.

“Their ultrapurple spiked leaves remain during all four seasons,” says Pavlich.