Although people usually reach out for perennials, annuals offer a lot of critical benefits to your garden. They offer diverse coloration to your garden area.
You’ll be able to experiment with different color combinations since they only last one season. Plus, annuals can make exceptional bouquet gifts for loved ones.
Stick around to learn more about cheerful and colorful annuals that can take your landscape to the next level.
1. Tuberous Begonias
Usually grown as annuals, tuberous begonias offer rose-like blooms that come in multiple shades of orange, yellow, red, pink, and yellow.
The annual can grow around 12 to 18 feet tall and flower in the summer and fall months. The begonia genus favors filtered sunlight and well-draining soil.
Plus, they require regular watering sessions. Just be sure to check if the soil is damp or not before watering. That being said, tuberous begonias thrive best in USDA growth zones 9 through 10.
2. Busy Lizzie
Busy Lizzies appear dainty and thin-petaled. Speaking of which, they are adorned with five round petals that come in several white, pink, orange, and red hues.
The annuals can grow around six inches tall and bloom during multiple seasons, namely, spring, summer, and fall.
Like the tuberous begonias, busy lizzies also require periodic watering and filtered sunlight to flourish.
Plus, you can feed them a healthy dose of 10-10-10 fertilizer for optimum growth conditions. Meanwhile, the flower’s USDA growth zone lies between 2 to 11.
3. Petunias
Petunias are no stranger to several U.S. households. With over 35 known species, the annuals come in a variety of colors and shapes. Apart front that, the annuals are known for their signature trumpet-shaped five-petaled flowers.
When it comes to color, petunias don’t disappoint. You can choose between several choices such as purple, red, white, pink, and yellow. Nevertheless, some petunias come in multi-colored shades giving them a unique appearance.
The famed flower primarily blooms during summer. In addition to this, petunias can grow around 6 to 18 inches in length and 18 inches to an impressive 48 inches in width.
Care-wise, the annuals prefer sunny days and weekly deep watering sessions. Plus, they can grow in USDA zones 9 through 11.
4. Marigolds
Marigolds almost resemble carnation flowers since they both have a similar ball-like flower structure. The annuals usually come in warm-toned colors like red, orange, and yellow.
Height-wise, marigolds can reach approximately 6 to 36 inches tall. The joyful flower tends to bloom around early summer until late fall.
Meanwhile, the care requirements of the annual involve providing full sunshine, weekly waterings, and loamy soil. Plus, they can grow well in USDA zones 2 to 11.
5. Million Bells
As the flower’s name suggests, Million Bells are bell-shaped flowers that bloom in a variety of colors such as violet, white, magenta, red, and bronze.
The blooming window for Million Bells opens from spring to late fall. In regards to size, the annuals can extend about 3 to 9 inches tall and 6 to 24 inches wide.
When caring for Million Bells, you’ll want to give full sunlight exposure and a soilless potting mix. In terms of watering, the usually hanging flower may need you to conduct a “swing test.”
If it’s the pot swings lightly, then the flower needs water. Apart from that, the hardiness zones of Million Bells can go between 9 to 11.
6. Zinnias
Zinnias have several thin petals that make up an overall dome shape. The annual comes in several shades ranging from yellow, pink, red, and white.
The flower can grow about 6 to 12 inches in height and width. Plus, their blooming period begins around mid-summer until late fall. Apart from that, Zinnias are relatively thirsty flowers and require regular deep waterings.
They also survive best in full sunlight exposure and well-draining soil. Meanwhile, the dome-shaped annual tends to thrive in USDA zones 3 through 10.
7. Vincas
Vincas offer a simple yet pretty appearance. The small flowers are rounded and five-petaled. They come in a variety of shades like pink, purple, white, and red.
Size-wise, vinca plants can reach 6 to 12 inches in height and 8 to 36 inches in width. Apart from that, the annuals flower between summer and late fall.
As a general rule of thumb, if a vincas’ topsoil feels dry, then it’s time to water it. In terms of light conditions, the colorful flower prefers full sunlight exposure. In addition to this, vincas can survive in hardiness zones 7 to 9.
8. Mandevilla
If you’re searching for a tropical addition to your garden, then the Mandevilla may just be your next purchase. This annual has a distinct trumpet-shaped flower that comes in hues of red, yellow, and pink.
The flower blooms between summer and early fall. Aside from that, it can climb up to 3 to 8 feet in length. As a tropical plant, Mandevilla flowers are well-accustomed to humid weather, which means regular misting.
You should also try to place the exotic flower in a sunny region where it can receive about six to eight hours of direct light. In terms of hardiness zones, Mandevillas can grow in regions 9 to 11.
9. Lobelia
Lobelias resemble snapdragons with their tubular appearance. Their petals are divided with two on top and three looking downward. They’re also said to look like they have white eyes in between their blue, pink, and red petals.
Annual lobelias can grow up to 12 inches in height. The lobelia’s flowering season can go anywhere between spring and fall.
Moist soil and full sunlight or partial shade will ensure a healthy lifecycle for your lobelias. Aside from that, lobelias can survive USDA zones 9 through 11.
10. Pentas
Pentas flowers grow in clusters of star-shaped blooms. You can choose between several petal color options such as red, pink, and purple.
Since this plant particularly grows in beds, it can reach around 15 inches wide with a small 2 to 3 inches in length. The blooming season for Pentas is mostly limited to summer.
Having said that, Pentas are thirsty plants so make sure their soil is moist-rich. Plus, the annuals require full sunlight. Accordingly, the flower can flourish in hardiness zones 10 to 11.
11. Pansy
Similar to petunias, pansies are also not short of popularity in the garden scene. The round five-petaled annuals come in several coloration varieties. They can be solid-colored or multi-colored.
One of the most color variations is the purple-based pansy with a white interior blending out. The bottom petals are adorned with yellow and black thick streaks as well. That being so, pansies can grow about 6 to 9 inches in height and 9 to 12 inches in width.
The annuals bloom around spring and fall. In regards to their care routine, pansies require full morning sun rays but partial shade from the harsh afternoon light.
Additionally, well-drained soil with organic matter can ensure the flower’s healthy bloom. Overall, a pansy; hardiness zone extends between 7 to 10.
12. Portulaca
Portulacas display a romantic rosy aesthetic to your garden. The annuals have several petals, giving them a fuller look. They come in several colorful shades such as pink, yellow, red, peach, lavender, and magenta.
The bloom can extend around 8 inches tall and one to two feet in width. The flower’s blooming season extends between summer to late fall.
Aside from that, the care requirements of portulaca involve six hours of full sun exposure and about an inch of rainfall per week. Subsequently, the annual’s USDA growth zone ranges between 2 to 11.
13. Salvia
Salvias consist of compact stacks of tubular flowers. The annuals offer multiple color options like red, salmon, and purple.
That being said, salvias can go up to five to six feet tall. The flower blooms around late spring to early summer.
When caring for the annuals, you need to place them in a sun-exposed region to keep their petals radiant. You can also water the plant regularly when needed. Apart from that, salvias can grow in hardiness zones 10 to 1.
14. Precious Bronze Wallflower
The Precious Bronze wallflower has a cluster-like growth pattern. The four-petaled flowers are bunched in groups. This particular wallflower is yellow in color.
The blooming season for this annual starts from early spring to early summer. The hardy annual can withstand full sunlight, as well as fertile soil.
Having said that, the wallflower can tolerate climates in USDA zones 6 to 10.
15. Painted Tongue
Painted Tongue annuals are one of the most eccentric-looking flowers on this list. Aside from its odd naming, the flower has five petals covered in pink and red veins that connect to a yellow mid-section.
These interesting annuals bloom from the start of spring till mid-summer. The Painted Tongue can grow approximately two to three feet long and one foot wide.
The flower’s ideal environment includes full sun and well-drained soil. Its hardiness zone falls primarily in the 11 regions.
