As the Fourth of July approaches, many of us are preparing to celebrate with patriotic decor, fireworks and gatherings with family and friends. Why not extend the celebration into the garden with plants that proudly show off our nation’s colors?

Let’s take a closer look at eye-catching selections growing in my yard that capture the spirit of the season: red Midnight Marvel hibiscus, white yarrow and blue plumbago.

For a show-stopping red, nothing beats the Midnight Marvel hibiscus blooming in my yard right now. It is a bold and beautiful herbaceous perennial that makes a dramatic statement with deep burgundy-black foliage and enormous scarlet red blooms that can reach 8 to 9 inches across.

Blooming from midsummer into early fall, Midnight Marvel thrives in full sun and reaches 4 to 5 feet tall and wide, forming a compact yet vigorous presence in the landscape. The rich, wine-colored leaves provide a stunning contrast to the vivid flowers and offer visual interest, even when the plant is not in bloom.

Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4 through 9, Midnight Marvel is generally pest resistant, though Japanese beetles or aphids may occasionally appear. Proper spacing helps reduce the chance of fungal issues by improving air circulation. In colder zones, apply mulch in winter to help protect the roots.

Not only does Midnight Marvel offer outstanding ornamental value, but it also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies while being deer resistant. It makes an excellent choice for the back of perennial borders, where its size and color can anchor a garden bed.

White yarrow is one of my favorites and a classic perennial that brings a soft, elegant touch to garden beds and borders. Its flat-topped clusters of pure white blooms float above finely divided, fern-like foliage, adding a lacy texture that contrasts beautifully with bolder plants.

Yarrow thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for hot Mississippi summers. Once established, this plant is drought tolerant and low maintenance. Its nectar-rich blooms attract butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects.

White yarrow is perfect for mixing with bold reds and blues, serving as a visual bridge between strong colors and giving the garden an airy feel.

Few plants offer a true blue bloom, but blue plumbago delivers this with ease.

Plumbago is an evergreen shrub that thrives in the heat and humidity of the Deep South, producing an abundance of pale to mid-blue phlox-like flowers from late spring through first frost. Its mounded, semi-trailing growth habit makes it a versatile choice for hanging baskets, in raised beds or as a groundcover cascading along walls or borders.

Blue plumbago performs best in full sun and prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil. While it dies back in colder zones, the plant often behaves like a perennial in USDA zones 8 and warmer, which includes much of Mississippi; it returns each year stronger and more vigorous.

As you celebrate the Fourth of July this year, let your garden wave its own flag -- one made of flowers.