garden annuals for summer

Fluffy blue flowers from mid summer to fall. These garden annuals make great cut flowers and are easy to grow.

Deadhead to keep tidy and promote flowering.

Ideal for: Mass planting, beds and borders.

Height: 12″ – 36″

Spread: 7″ – 8″

Spacing: 6″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Average. Moist, well drained soil.

 

Alyssum are drought tolerant, small garden annuals with a profusion of flowers, usually scented. Fast grower.

Ideal for: Edging, borders, hanging baskets and rockeries.

Colors: Lavender, mixed, pink, purple, white.

Height: 6″ – 8″

Spread: 10″ – 12″

Spacing: 10″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Angelonia are tender perennials. They are excellent performers during the hot summer months and do outstanding in the heat. They are low maintenance and easy to care for. They are tough and will keep blooming during periods of drought.

Ideal for: Beds, borders, pots.

Colors: Archangel Blue Bicolor, Raspberry, White, Serenita Purple.

Height: 18″

Spread: 12″ – 18″

Spacing: 10″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

These garden annuals are an old garden favorite. Attractive low, compact growth habit. Great choice for smaller gardens.

Ideal for: Edging, cut flowers and borders.

Colors: Mixed, pink, red, white, yellow.

Height: 6″ – 8″

Spread: 8″ – 10″

Spacing: 8″ – 10″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Argyranthemum is a tender perennial. They are considered garden annuals in our area. They bloom profusely from late spring planting to the first frost. They require full sun in an average soil with fertilizer from time to time. Deadheading is not necessary.

Ideal for: Beds, borders, containers.

Colors: Angelic Giant Pink.

Height: 18″ – 36″

Spread: 12″ – 20″

Spacing: 10″ – 14″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Great for hanging baskets, containers, and garden beds. It is important not to allow these tender perennials to dry out if you want constant blooms – they are not drought tolerant! Spreading habit. They prefer full sun but can tolerate partially shaded areas.

Ideal for: Baskets, containers, beds.

Colors: Colossal Blue, Pink, White.

Height: 4″ – 8″

Spread: 12″ – 18″

Spacing: 10″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Moist – must not dry out. Well drained soil.

 

Rarely without flowers, Begonia garden annuals provide season long color in partial shade areas. Morning sun is best.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers.

Colors: Green Leaf Red, Green Leaf Rose,Green Leaf White.

Height: 8″ – 10″

Spread: 6″ – 8″

Spacing: 8″ – 10″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Begonia BIG garden annuals have huge glossy leaves and an abundance of large showy flowers up to 2″ across! Begonia BIG has a very high visual impact and just a few plants in the garden will provide show stopping color all summer long.

Ideal for: Beds, containers.

Colors: Red.

Height: 12″

Spread: 16″

Spacing: 8″

Watering and soil: Moist. Well drained soil.

 

These Begonia garden annuals always attract attention when in flower – a partial shade flower favorite! They need rich, moist well-drained soil. Easy to grow. Protect from high wind.

Ideal for: Beds, containers.

Colors: Red, Pink.

Height: 12″ – 18″

Spread: 12″

Spacing: 10″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Moist. Well drained soil.

 

Beautiful tuberous Begonia with rose like flowers. Ideal for partial shade. These garden annuals are easy to grow and require a rich, moist well-drained soil. Plant in spring after the last frost.

Ideal for: Beds, containers.

Colors: Red, Cherry, Orange, Pink, White, Yellow.

Height: 8″ – 12″

Spread: 12″ – 16″

Spacing: 10″

Watering and soil: Moist. Well drained soil.

 

Bidens typically has yellow or orange daisy like flowers. They are tender perennials and treated as garden annuals in our area. They will bloom best in full sun, but can tolerate some light shade. Ensure the soil is well drained to prevent root rot.

Ideal for: Beds, containers.

Colors: Bidy Gonzales.

Height: 6″ – 12″

Spread: 12″ – 36″

Spacing: 8″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Brachyscome are cheerful daisies. They are easy to grow and bloom from summer right through fall. While the flowers are on the smaller side, they bloom abundantly. Typical of daisies, they perform best in full sun. Once they have been established water once a week.

Ideal for: Beds, containers, hanging baskets.

Colors: Fresco Purple, Radiant Magenta.

Height: 12″ – 18″

Spread: 12″ – 36″

Spacing: 8″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Caladium garden annuals have unmistakable foliage. They come in a variety of shades and colors. They prefer indirect light making them perfect for shade and semi shade. Use a well-drained, rich potting mix. Keep the soil moist and never let them dry out.

Ideal for: Shade beds, containers.

Colors: Red, Pink, White.

Height: 12″ – 30″

Spread: 12″ – 24″

Spacing: 12″

Watering and soil: Moist. Well drained soil.

 

Calibrachoa has a trailing habit that makes him excellent for containers and hanging baskets. These garden annuals are typically planted in spring and will last throughout the summer. They perform best when planted in full sun or at least six hours of morning sun. Keep them evenly moist and do not let them dry out.

Ideal for: Hanging baskets, containers.

Colors: Bright Red, Blue, Yellow, Pink, Lavender, Orange, Purple, Rose, White, Dbl. Neo Pink, Dbl. Chiffon, Dbl. Lemon

Height: 3″ – 9″

Spread: 6″ – 24″

Spacing: 6″ – 10″

Watering and soil: Moist. Well drained soil.

 

Cannas grow from rhizomes and can reach 6 foot tall. They have beautiful banana shaped leaves and lily like flowers. They are tender perennials and their rhizomes should be lifted out before the first frosts and stored over winter.

Ideal for: Beds, containers.

Colors: Mango, Red Flame.

Height: 3′ – 6′

Spread: 3′ – 5′

Spacing: 2′

Watering and soil: Moist. Well drained soil.

 

Celosia garden annuals have bright colored feathery flowers – they make a great display in full sun. Interesting contrast – makes great dried flowers.

Ideal for: Beds, mass display, borders, containers.

Colors: Mixed, orange, pink, purple.

Height: 9″ – 10″

Spread: 4″ – 6″

Spacing: 5″ – 6″

Watering and soil: Low to average. Well drained soil.

 

If you want to grow mums as perennials, plant them in spring, giving them plenty of time to root. They should start to flower by mid to late summer. If you want them for fall flowering, pinch the buds back. Plant them in rich well-drained soil and feed with a high nitrogen and phosphorus content fertilizer.

Ideal for: Beds, containers.

Colors: Bronze, Purple.

Height: 12″ – 24″

Spread: 18″ – 26″

Spacing: 12″

Watering and soil: Moist. Well drained soil.

 

Dusty Miller garden annuals have striking silver grey foliage. Their fern like leaves provide interesting texture and contrast.

Ideal for: Beds, borders, edging, containers.

Colors: Silver Dust.

Height: 12″

Spread: 12″

Spacing: 12″

Watering and soil: Low to average. Well drained soil.

 

Cleome garden annuals don’t start out looking like much, but come the heat of summer they are spectacular. Averaging 3 to 4 feet in height they do make a statement when blooming!

Ideal for: Beds, borders, containers.

Colors: Mix.

Height: 36″ – 48″

Spread: 12″ – 20″

Spacing: 12″

Watering and soil: Low to average. Drought tolerant. Well drained soil.

 

Coleus garden annuals have superb foliage color to liven up shady or partially shady areas. They also do well to liven-up containers.

Ideal for: Beds, mass display, borders, containers.

Colors: Black Dragon, Classic Mix, Festive Dance, Green Jade, Pineapple, Red, Rose, Velvet.

Height: 12″ – 36″ (depends on hybrid)

Spread: 18″ – 36″

Spacing: 18″ – 36″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Sun Coleus garden annuals, unlike the traditional varieties, can take a good deal of sun. However, they should be protected from the late afternoon harsh summer sun. Their colorful foliage looks great planted in garden beds as well as containers. Plant in average well drained soil with lots of mulch.

Ideal for: Beds, mass display, borders, containers.

Colors: Flame Thrower Habanero, Main Street, Wall Street, Heart Breaker, Red Head, Royalty Pink.

Height: 18″ – 36″

Spread: 12″ – 20″

Spacing: 12″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil with mulch.

 

Easy to grow full sun garden annuals – even in poor sandy soils. Pinching off spent blooms will prolong flowering. Low maintenance.

Ideal for: Beds, borders, containers.

Colors: Mixed.

Height: 16″ – 18″

Spread: 12″

Spacing: 10″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Cuphea has an upright growing habit. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Also known as false Heather, they make good border and bedding plants. They are heat tolerant. Apply a general slow release fertilizer every few weeks.

Ideal for: Beds, borders, containers.

Colors: Mixed.

Height: 12″ – 18″

Spread: 12″ – 18″

Spacing: 12″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Bright and cheerful flowers add dazzle to your summer beds. Remove spent blooms to encourage flowering.

Ideal for: Beds, borders, containers.

Colors: Mixed, Dahlietta Alabama Yellow, Lisa Dark Pink, Oregon Red.

Height: 15″ – 17″

Spread: 10″ – 12″

Spacing: 8″ – 10″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Delicately fringed flowers on compact plants – these garden annuals add bright splashes of color to your garden.

Ideal for: Beds, borders, edging.

Colors: Mixed, Parfait Raspberry, Parfait Strawberry, Picotee, Pink, Purple, Red, White.

Height: 8″ – 10″

Spread: 8″ – 10″

Spacing: 10″

Watering and soil: Low to average. Well drained soil.

 

This Euphorbia has clusters of delicate flowers and small leaves. They are drought tolerant and do not need deadheading. They look beautiful grouped together along paths or mass planted in beds. Full sun is best – water well until the plant is established.

Ideal for: Beds, borders, containers.

Colors: Breathless Blush, Breathless White.

Height: 12″ – 24″

Spread: 12″ – 24″

Spacing: 12″

Watering and soil: Low to average. Well drained soil.

 

Plant these high impact garden annuals in late spring as they need warmer soil. Blooming takes about 12 weeks. Easy to grow in most soil types. They love the heat.

Ideal for: Beds, borders, edging.

Colors: Mix, Red Stripe.

Height: 6″ – 10″

Spread: 6″ – 8″

Spacing: 6″

Watering and soil: Low to average. Well drained soil.

 

Especially good for containers – mottled foliage in various shades, perfect for semi shade but bright areas.

Ideal for: Containers, beds.

Colors: Pink Splash, Red Splash, White Splash.

Height: 10″ – 18″

Spread: 12″ – 14″

Spacing: 12″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Versatile garden annuals for shadier areas of the garden – as well as light or dappled shade. No dead heading required. They are prolific bloomers.

Ideal for: Containers, beds, borders, hanging baskets.

Colors: Blue Pearl, Cherry Butterfly, Lipstick, Orange, Pink, Lavender, Punch,Red, Red Star, Rose, Salmon, Taboo Mix, Violet, Violet star,  Voodoo Too Mix, White

Height: 10″ – 18″

Spread: 10″ – 14″

Spacing: 8″

Watering and soil: Moist. Well drained soil.

 

Sunpatiens will actually grow and thrive in full hot sun! One proviso though, they need to be kept well watered as they will not easily recover if left to wilt in the hot sun. They will also grow well in lightly shaded areas or with half day sun, half day shade.

Ideal for: Containers, beds, borders, hanging baskets.

Colors: Hot Coral, Neon Pink, Orchid Blush, Purple, Royal Magenta, White.

Height: 16″ – 34″

Spread: 14″ – 21″

Spacing: 10″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Moist. Well drained soil.

 

Ivy geraniums are ideal for hanging baskets and containers. They grow quickly in the warm spring months. And flower profusely throughout the season. They need four to six hours of sun per day. Water regularly, but don’t let them become waterlogged. Use a slow release fertilizer.

Ideal for: Containers, hanging baskets.

Colors: Precision Burgundy Ice, Precision Pink Flamingo.

Height: 12″ – 30″

Spread: 18″ – 30″

Spacing: 10″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Moist. Well drained soil.

 

Lantana comes in various colors. They have beautiful clusters of flowers and sandpaper textured like leaves. Their nectar attracts butterflies. In our area, because they are tender perennials, they will not grow very tall by the end of the season.

Ideal for: Containers, beds, hanging baskets.

Colors: Bloomify Mango, Rose, Confetti, Landmark Rose Glow, Sunrise Rose, Lavender Trailing, Peach, White Trailing.

Height: 18″ – 24″

Spread: 12″ – 18″

Spacing: 8″

Watering and soil: Moist. Well drained soil.

 

Beautiful for hanging baskets, containers and the edging of borders. These garden annuals have a mounded habit and provide masses of color when in flower.

Ideal for: Containers, edging, hanging baskets.

Colors: Blue, White.

Height: 6″ – 8″

Spread: 6″ – 12″

Spacing: 6″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

These garden annuals come in a variety of sizes and color – they need full sun exposure. Excellent for mass planting.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders.

Colors: Bi-Color, Mix, Orange, Red, Strawberry Blonde, Yellow, Gold, Orange.

Height: 6″ – 12″ depending on variety.

Spread: 6″ – 12″

Spacing: 6″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Striking yellow daisy-like flowers contrasted on prominent green foliage. Easy to grow. Long blooming season.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders.

Colors: Showstar

Height: 6″ – 12″

Spread: 8″ – 12″

Spacing: 8″

Watering and soil: Average to dry. Well drained soil. Sandy soil.

 

Nemesia is much loved by bees. Excellent for rockeries and containers. Plant them in a moist, well drained sandy soil. They need at least six hours of sunlight a day and protection from the harsh afternoon sun if possible. Use a slow release fertilizer.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, rock gardens, containers.

Colors: Karoo Dark Blue, Karoo Pink.

Height: 10″ – 24″

Spread: 10″ – 18″

Spacing: 8″ – 10″

Watering and soil: Moist well drained soil.

 

Star shaped blooms add attractiveness to any garden – add splashes of color to your beds, especially the back of the border.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders.

Colors: Showstar

Height: 12″ – 24″

Spread: 12″ – 24″

Spacing: 12″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

What really sets Osteospermum, or African daisies apart, is the vivid color of their blooms. Plant after the spring frosts have passed. As they do not bloom in the hottest months they will bloom in late spring and early summer, to late summer and fall. Water once a week after they have established.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers.

Colors: Blushing Beauty, Margarita Cool Purple, Orange Flare, Pink Flare, Yellow Blue Eyed Beauty, Zion Purple Sun.

Height: 12″ – 36″

Spread: 12″ – 24″

Spacing: 12″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

We have a large range of colors for these popular garden annuals. They are essentially a form of hybridized violet with unmistakable showy flowers.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers.

Colors: Various Mixes, Deep Blue, Lavender, Primrose, Violet, White, Yellow, Rose, Orange.

Height: 4″ – 8″

Spread: 6″ – 8″

Spacing: 4″ – 6″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained loose soil.

 

Pentas are tender perennials – pollinators love them! They bloom towards the middle of summer and make excellent border plants. They prefer a full sun, although some afternoon shade is tolerated. It is best not to let them dry out. Fertilize once a month, or use a slow release fertilizer.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers.

Colors: Lucky Star Deep Pink, Star Lavender, Star Lipstick, Star Violet.

Height: 24″ – 36″

Spread: 18″

Spacing: 16″

Watering and soil: Average to moist. Well drained loose soil.

 

Petunias are very popular seasonal garden annuals. A dazzling display in a wide range of colors and hybrids. Petunias do not like wet feet! Feed with a slow release fertilizer.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers, baskets.

Colors: Appleblossom, Blue,Pink, Purple, Red, Salmon, White, Orange.

Height: 8″ – 24″

Spread: 8″ – 36″

Spacing: 8″

Watering and soil: Average but do not let them get water logged. Well drained soil.

 

As the name suggests, these popular garden annuals have a dense spreading habit. They quickly cover large areas of the garden and look great in hanging baskets and containers. They are easy to grow and do best in full sun, though they will tolerate part shade. Feed with slow release fertilizer

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers, baskets.

Colors: Burgundy, Coral Reef, Lavender, Neon Rose, Pink, Plum, Red, Silver, Violet, White, Yellow.

Height: 6″ – 12″

Spread: 30″ – 40″

Spacing: 18″

Watering and soil: Average but do not let them get water logged. Well drained soil.

 

Portulaca garden annuals make a stunning display with their fully double flowers that resemble roses. Excellent in hot, dry areas as their succulent stems are drought tolerant.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers, hanging baskets.

Colors: Fuchsia, Mix, Peach, Pink, Red, Yellow, Dbl. Bi-Color, Magenta.

Height: 3″ – 9″

Spread: 6″ – 12″

Spacing: 8″

Watering and soil: Dry loose soil is the best – can be poor quality.

 

Ornamental potato vines are mainly used as spiller plants for containers and hanging baskets. These garden annuals grow super fast and come in a variety of colors. They grow in full sun as well as partial shade. Plant these garden annuals in moist, well-drained soil and do not let them become waterlogged.

Ideal for: Containers, hanging baskets.

Colors: Blackie, Tri-color.

Length: 8′ – 12′

Spread: 6″ – 12″

Spacing: 8″

Watering and soil: Moist well drained soil.

 

Salvia garden annuals thrive in rich well drained soil in full sun to light shade and will flower for many months if well fed and dead-headed regularly. They love the summer heat.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers.

Colors: Blue Victoria, Dwarf Red, Medium Red, Purple, Tall Red, White Victoria.

Height: 12″ – 24″

Spread: 9″ – 18″

Spacing: 10″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Moist but not overwatered. Rich soil.

 

Scaevola are outstanding plants for containers and hanging baskets. They are well suited for drought tolerant full-sun locations. The purple blue flowers on six stems are striking! An average well drained soil is all they need. Although they are happy on the dry side, water now and again, and especially when establishing.

Ideal for: Hanging baskets, containers.

Colors: Bondi Blue, Bondi White.

Height: 6″ – 12″ tall, trailing to 24″

Spread: 18″

Spacing: 12″ – 18″

Watering and soil: Average, well drained.

 

Verbena garden annuals low growth spreading habit are ideal in front of taller plants in the flower beds.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers.

Colors: Lilac, Pink, Red, Silver, White, Lanai Blue, Lanai Purple, Twister Pink, Mango Orange.

Height: 12″

Spread: 18″

Spacing: 8″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Average. Well drained soil.

 

Vinca are prolific flowering garden annuals – heat and drought tolerant, they are perfect for hot, dry areas. Don’t plant them too early in the season. Don’t over-water – once a week in very dry weather.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers.

Colors: Apricot, Cranberry, Mix Bold, Mix Classic, Mix Radiant Rose, Raspberry.

Height: 6″ – 18″

Spread: 6″ – 18″

Spacing: 8″ – 12″

Watering and soil: Once weekly. Well drained soil.

 

Viola are cool season plants and perfect for early and late season color. They grow fast and bloom profusely. Protect from hot afternoon sun.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers.

Colors: Blue, Mix, Yellow.

Height: 4″ – 10″

Spread: 4″ – 10″

Spacing: 8″

Watering and soil: Water as soon as they dry out. Well drained soil.

 

Zinnia are easy to grow, warm season garden annuals that bloom abundantly. Plant in late spring – they’ll perform when the weather really heats up. They don’t like excess moisture. Full sun.

Ideal for: Bedding, borders, containers.

Colors: Profusion Cherry, Orange, Yellow, Zahara Rose, Zahara Sunburst, Dbl. Fire, Raspberry Ripple, Salmon.

Height: 12″ – 24″

Spread: 12″ – 18″

Spacing: 12″

Watering and soil: Well drained soil.