15 Flowering Plants You Should Always Stake to Keep Their Blooms Standing Tall

Posted 2025-07-15 07:00:21

15 Flowering Plants You Should Always Stake to Keep Their Blooms Standing Tall

Plants that flop over under the weight of their flowers don’t add much to your garden’s appeal; in fact, they detract from the overall picture. Some taller flowering plants produce sturdy stems that usually hold their blooms upright, but strong winds and heavy rains can topple even those stalwart stems. Other plants bear heavy individual flowers or flower stalks that are just too much weight for their stems to support, so they always require staking.

There are many options for staking materials and techniques; some are better suited to certain flowering plants than others. The need for staking is influenced by the variety of a plant species you selected, as well as your specific growing conditions (light, wind, rain, soil). However, the following flowering plants nearly always benefit from additional support.

Asters

Credit: Denny Schrock

Asters (Symphiotrichum spp.) are easy-to-grow perennials; most bloom in summer and fall. Tall types that grow 3½ feet or taller need to be staked to prevent them from flopping over. Grow-through grids and tomato cages work well. A circular cage made of chicken wire is another option.

Balloon Flowers

Credit:

Kindra Clineff

Tall varieties of balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) are prime candidates for staking. Their stems are wiry and somewhat fragile, and if not staked, they often bend to the ground as the flowers develop. Shorter, bushier varieties may not need staking. A variety of techniques suit tall balloon flowers, including a grow-through grid, a tomato cage, or twigs inserted near the base of the plant.

It's easiest to install stakes early, before they are needed. As the plant grows around it, the support becomes almost invisible and does not distract from the plant's beauty.

Boltonia

Credit:

Dean Schoeppner

Boltonia (Boltonia asteroides) is a late summer bloomer that produces a profusion of white daisy-like flowers. Growing 3 to 6 feet tall, this perennial native of eastern North America needs support to keep all those blooming stems upright. Grow-through grids, tomato cages, and twig stakes are good options.

Cosmos

Credit:

Carson Downing

Some cosmos varieties grow 5 or 6 feet tall and benefit from staking. These flowering annuals produce an abundance of summer blooms on wiry stems. Planting them in groups or among other plants helps keep them upright, but tall varieties often topple over onto their neighbors as the season progresses. To prevent this, use a grow-through grid or corral them with bamboo stakes and string.

Dahlias

Credit:

Ngoc Minh Ngo

Tall varieties of dahlias require sturdy stakes, or metal, bamboo, or tomato cages. to support their heavy flowers, which can be a large as a dinner plate. As plants grow, individual stems should be tied to the stakes at intervals using soft fabric, stocking strips, twine, or string. The stakes should be installed at planting time to avoid damaging the tubers as they grow.

Delphiniums

Credit:

Kindra Clineff

Delphiniums are tall, majestic flowering plants that provide a strong vertical accent to perennial borders. Some varieties grow up to 7 feet tall. Staking is necessary to keep those gorgeous flowers upright, and the best method is to use a single stake for each stem. If you are planting a group of delphiniums, a grid made out of bamboo poles and crisscrossing strings is another option.

Foxgloves

Credit:

Gabriela Herman

While dwarf varieties of foxglove (Digitalis spp.) will often get by without staking, taller types tend to become top-heavy. Support individual stems with single bamboo stakes; multiple stems may benefit from a grow-through grid or tomato cage.

Gladiolus

Credit: Alison Miksch

Gladiolus produce heavy flowering stems that need to be supported, especially in windy, rainy conditions. The flower stalks of some varieties reach 5 feet in height. If planted in groups, shorter types help support each other, but for tall varieties, a grid is best. Attach lattice or hog wire to stakes sunk into the ground so that the grid is parallel to the ground. As the stems develop, they will grow through the grid, which prevents flopping.

Goldenrod

Credit:

Denny Schrock

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) contributes bold colors in shades of gold and yellow to the late-season garden. It grows 3 to 5 feet in height, and especially tall varieties benefit from staking. A grow-through grid works well for mass plantings, while tomato cages are good for individual plants.

Helenium

Credit:

Matthew Benson

When planted in groups or close to other plants, helenium (Helenium autumnale) may get by without staking, especially the shorter varieties. However, tall varieties, which can reach 5 feet in height, should be staked to keep them upright and prevent them from flopping over nearby plants. Tomato cages and grow through grids work well.

Hollyhocks

Credit:

Kindra Clineff

These tall old-fashioned cottage garden classics often grow 6 to 8 feet tall and benefit from support. Most hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are biennials, though some are short-lived perennials. They often re-seed themselves. Plant them near a fence or trellis where they get some protection from the wind, and for extra support, tie the stems to the fence or trellis. Sturdy metal or bamboo stakes work well as support for individual stems.

Lilies

Credit:

Grant Webster

Tall lilies (Lilium spp.) grow 4 to 6 feet or taller, and they often bear large, heavy flowers. Staking helps keep the stems upright and the flowers off the ground. Sturdy individual stakes are a good option, and to prevent spearing the bulb, they should be placed at planting time. Alternatively, the North American Lily Society suggests placing a short, sturdy stake at planting, then swapping it out for a tall stake (using the same hole) as the lily grows. Another good place to plant lilies is in front of a fence or trellis to which you tie the stems.

Lupines

Credit:

Laurie Black

Lupines (Lupinus x hybrida) are annuals or short-lived perennials whose densely packed blooms appear on upright stalks in spring and early summer. Their delicate stems, which can reach 4 feet tall depending on the variety, are very susceptible to wind damage, so staking of taller varieties is essential. Use individual bamboo stakes or a grow-through grid for support.

Peonies

Credit:

Bob Stefko

Chinese peonies (Paeonia lactiflora and hybrids) are long-lived perennials beloved for their large, heavy flowers. They are easily weighed down, especially after a rain, ending up on the ground. Use rings, grow-through grids, or tomato cages, or homemade corrals made of bamboo and string. Tree peonies and Itoh peonies have stronger stems and usually do not require staking.

Snapdragons

Credit:

Evgeniya Vlasova

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are cool-season annuals or tender perennials that bloom in lots of colors. One way to make tall varieties, which grow up to 4 feet, produce shorter, bushier plants is to pinch them back regularly. But if you like those tall flower stems, you will need to stake them because the flower stalks become top-heavy as the flowers open, and stems often break or fall over after a rain. Use grow-through hoops or a trellis, or a hog-wire grid to keep them upright.