Petunias and zinnias are the reliable summer bloomers.

Yes, those two are the classics for a reason. Plant them in full sun with decent soil, and they’ll keep flowering from May until frost with minimal fuss.

Petunias are workhorses. The modern trailing or “wave” varieties don’t even need deadheading — they just keep going. Water them regularly and maybe give them a light fertilizer every couple weeks. Zinnias are even easier. They love heat, shrug off drought once established, and the more you cut them for bouquets, the more they branch and bloom.

Other solid picks: marigolds (cheerful, pest-repellent), cosmos (tall, airy, reseeds sometimes), and vinca (tough in humid heat). But if you want one set-it-and-forget-it combo, petunias and zinnias cover every spot from hanging baskets to borders.

Don’t overthink it. Pick