Flowering annual plants bloom from spring to fall. They don’t overwinter, but the reward of low maintenance continuous color is worth the effort of planting out in May. This list includes annuals bred for easy maintenance and to bloom through the heat of summer. Some will benefit from weekly removal of faded blossoms (“dead‐heading”) or shearing mid‐season to stimulate blooming. Read the labels on transplants available in your garden center to verify the identity of plants and for care instructions. Prepare the soil for annuals as you would for a vegetable garden. The same steps apply. → See Growing Tips 18 Plan a Vegetable Garden.
| Flowering annuals | Prefers | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia) | Full Sun Average Moisture | B, I, V, W, P |
| Bidens (Bidens ferulifolia) | Full Sun Average Moisture | Y |
| Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, O, Y |
| Cape Daisy (Osteospermum x hybrida) | Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture | O, Y, V, W, P |
| Flossflower (Ageratum houstonianum) | Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture | B, I, V, W, P |
| Gazania (Gazania ringens) | Full Sun Average Moisture | O, Y, W, P |
| Lantana (Lantana camara) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, O, Y, V, P, W |
| Marigold (Tagetes spp.) | Full Sun Average Moisture | O, Y, W |
| Mexican Heather (Cuphea spp.) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, O, Y, V, P, W |
| Petunia (Petunia x hybrida) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, O, Y, B, I, V, W, P |
| Phlox (Phlox drummondii) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, B, V, W, P |
| Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, O, Y, W, P |
| Salvia (Salvia x hybrida and spp.) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, O, B, I, V, W, P |
| Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, O, Y, V, W, P |
| Strawflower (Bracteantha bracteata) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, O, Y, W, P |
| Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) | Full Sun Average Moisture | V, W, P |
| Verbena (Verbena x hybrida) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, O, B, I, V, W, P |
| Zinnia (Zinnia x hybrida) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, O, Y, G, V, W, P |
| Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink |
| Foliage Annuals | Prefers | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) | Full Sun to Part Shade Steady Moisture | G, V, Multi |
| Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria) | Full Sun Average Moisture | G, Silver |
| Ornamental Kale (Brassica oleracea) | Full Sun Average Moisture | G, V, W, P Multi |
| Ornamental Pepper (Capsicum annum) | Full Sun Average Moisture | R, O, Y, G, V Multi |
| Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink |
| Annual Grasses | Prefers | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima) | Full Sun Steady Moisture | G |
| Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) | Full Sun Steady Moisture | R, P |
| Golden Millet Grass (Milium effusum) | Full Sun Average Moisture | Y, G |
| Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink |
Keep It Simple
- Combine contrasting colors for dramatic visual effect. Multi‐colored foliage plants will tie everything together! Include tall plants for architectural interest.
- Plant sturdy, well‐grown young plants after the last frost in your area.
- Space according to directions on the label. Plants should grow to touch each other to discourage weeds.
- Mulch, then water with care throughout the season, as necessary. → See Growing Tips 6 Watering New Plantings.
Great Combos
Plants in the combinations below are listed by height, low to high. Choose your favorite colors!
- Full Sun: bidens, salvia, lantana, ornamental pepper, angelonia, fountain grass
- Sun/Part Shade: sweet alyssum, flossflower, cape daisy, dusty miller, snapdragon, feather grass
Sow Seeds
Plant seeds of carefree annuals such as calendula, cosmos, bachelor’s button, nasturtium, sunflower and zinnia into prepared soil in late May. Annuals will provide bouquets all summer.
Resources
http://ag.umass.edu/resources/home-lawn-garden