From hanging Old Glory to saluting Uncle Sam, people have become more patriotic even in their own gardens. For most people the patriotic colors are red, white and blue, but you can also use nontraditional plants to produce patriotic pizzazz.

First of all you need to choose the color palette: this can be rich red and cream trim. To create a star-spangled spectacle, you can choose  plants that reflect, rather than a duplicate, the patriotic theme. Try to use subtle tones and different plants belonging to different groups and also woody plant material, ornamental grasses, herbaceous perennials and traditional annuals which can help you add color to your garden. For example, you can choose red dracaena and 'Elijah Blue' fescue.

Firecracker Red is a great plant for a patriotic garden. It's a classic, bright, cheery red and creates a beautiful contrast with a Japanese maple that is a more subtle red with white tips. Tuber oat grass has great white foliage. And if you have a real shady garden, try red caladium to light up a corner.

If you aim is to create a patriotic theme in a garden which has been already established it will be beneficial to add pots which can complement plants that grow there. You can combine 'Patriot' hosta with a potted red, white and blue arrangement. It will also look nice if you include some dwarf lisianthus. These plants are purple but give the impression of blue and also use geraniums to add striking red color. In spite of this you can also plant some 'Misty Blue' dianthus and bright red gerbera daisies. Variegated iris draws your eye up to a miniature tree rose.

If you are trying to create an instant drama it is better to plant your patriotic plants in a pot. Give the preference to an oxford red pot with a bright red dwarf zinnia which can be sued as the focal point and plant red croton huddled around the base. Dwarf lisianthus adds the blue and finish the pot with a dwarf Helichrysum. This plant will add a white silver sparkle to the bottom. 

Plant-filled pots should be watered well. Add water polymers, which absorb 200 times their weight in water, so that your plants remained hydrated even on hot days. Fertilizing is another very important factor in keeping your plants perky. You can use a time-release fertilizer once a season. As an alternative you can also use a water-soluble powder that should be mixed with water and used to water the plants every week.  Either way, feeding them fertilizer is a must. If you want your plants to bloom all season long it is crucial to deadhead the flowers when the blooms are spent.