Plant an easy-care annual flower garden with these ten varieties and enjoy a beautiful, colorful display all summer long. They can take the heat or dry soil so they will survive through any season that comes their way. The more flowers you grow in your yard, the better chance for pollinators to come by!
1.Angelonia
Don’t let angelonia’s delicate, flower spikes fool you. It is one of the best plants for containers in hot climates because it has a variety of colors and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. The plant also goes by the common name “summer snapdragon” due to its shape but isn’t actually related at all! ‘Archangel’ series grow 14 inches tall making them perfect for most pots; they have tons of flowers that attract more bees than other varieties so make sure to keep your distance if you are allergic or sensitive! ‘Angelface’ is a cascading succulent series with an added touch of beauty- it can be grown in hanging baskets or over the edge of containers.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
- Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
2. Celosia
Blooming in nearly every color of the rainbow, celosia boasts feathery plumes that are especially fun to grow. They make long-lasting cut flowers and dried flower heads (some varieties can produce wavy, crinkled flower heads which is a rare find). These plants do get quite large so if your space permits I recommend planting it where they’ll have room to spread their wings and expand without having them squeezed into too tight area. These eye-catching, easy to care annuals come in varieties such as ‘Dragon’s Breath’, which has bright red plumes and purple flushed foliage. This plant is a favorite among gardeners because of its colorful flowers that last all season long! The variety called ‘Century Mix’ also gives the garden more tropical vibes with shades of yellow, orange or magenta blooming throughout summertime.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
- Size: 1 to 3 feet tall and wide
3. Garden Cosmos
With their fern-like foliage and colorful flowers, Garden Cosmos are a perfect addition to any cottage garden. They grow easily from seed in late spring and can continue blooming until frost with the right care. Snip armfuls of stems for beautiful bouquets or simply enjoy them as they’re growing around your home!
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
- Size: 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
4. Geranium
After a long, hot summer of heat and dry spells that can cause neglect to geraniums (Pelargonium sp.), they show their true colors. Flowering in all shades red, pink or white with orange as well; the new cultivars boast vibrant flowers after being combined from common Zonal geraniums and trailing ivy ones alike. You should fertilize plants with an all-purpose fertilizer every two to four weeks and deadhead faded blooms weekly. This will encourage more flowers to develop!
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
- Size: 1 foot tall and 1 to 2 feet wide
5. Lantana
A butterfly and hummingbird magnet, lantana is a drought-tolerant heat annual that can be found in shades of yellow, orange, white, red or pink. One particular variety worth mentioning for its prolific flower production is the Lucky Red with striking clusters of colors ranging from dark to light hues which tolerates humidity wonderfully well.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
- Size: 1 foot tall and 1 to 3 feet wide (as an annual)
6. Marigold
Marigolds are a great way to light up any garden bed or container by adding bright, sunny colors. They’re easy to start from seed and they also come in many different shades of yellow, orange, and red that can be seen throughout the summer until frost hits! Plant compact French marigold near your front border for an instant burst of color with its cheerful pompoms. If you want something taller though go ahead and plant African marigold somewhere towards the middle which will look amazing as it stands out against other plants due their height.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
- Size: 6 inches to 3 feet tall, 6 inches to 2 feet wide
7. Mealycup Sage
Wands of purple flowers decorate mealycup sage (Salvia farinacea) from early summer until frost. Easiest to start from transplants purchased at the garden center, this beautiful annual salvia grows fast and stands 1-2 feet tall by midseason. Count on it for providing vertical accents in a garden bed or pair with trailing plants in containers! Snip off spent flowers after July and enjoy another round of flower spikes as well as rich purple blossoms! ‘Evolution’ is one cultivar that’s prized for its deep purples while Victoria has more light hues which makes them great both together or separately–either way they can’t be beat when you’re looking for something gorgeous flowering all season long year round!”
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
- Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
8. Pentas
Pentas has large clusters of star-shape flowers in shades of white, pink, and red that provide a nectar buffet for pollinators. For the hottest days or if you need lush color to fill out containers or gardens beds this summer – pentas is your plant! Varieties stay under 2 feet tall but ‘Sunstar’ series plants are nearly 3 feet when fully grown so one alone can make an impactful statement with rich colors.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
- Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
9. Petunia
One of the most widely grown annuals, petunias are a simple yet versatile plant. Easy to grow and with many variations in color, shape, size; there is always something for everyone’s taste! And because they bloom all season long it would be hard not find them beautiful anywhere you looked. There are some great varieties that come as trailing plants or spreading outwards (reaching up to 4 feet) so no matter what your needs might be this flower has got you covered!
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
- Size: 6 inches to 1 foot tall and 1 to 4 feet wide
10. Annual Vinca
The glossy green leaves are the perfect backdrop for annual vinca’s pinwheel-shape flowers in shades of pink, lavender, red and white. This tough plant blooms from early summer until frost without missing a beat; it requires full sun but can also take some shade too! Vinca is exceptionally heat tolerant as well as forgiving in times of drought which makes them thrive both outdoors or indoors. Vinca roses are a type of plant with many different varieties. You can find upright growing as well as trailing vincas, like the ‘Cora’ series which features both colors and types.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil
- Size: 1 foot tall and 1 to 2 feet wide