Planning your garden in Georgia? Just like most of the southern states, Georgia requires flowers that can tolerate the heat of the summer.
This article outlines the 10 best Georgia annuals, such as Petunias, Alyssums, Zinnias, Pansies, and Marigolds. Plant any of the flowers on this list to create a beautiful, colorful garden that lasts all year.
Read on for information about the ten best annuals to grow in Georgia, their features, and requirements.
1. Petunias (Petunia Atkinsiana)
Petunias are pretty flowers with five petals. They have several varieties including:
- Grandiflora
- Multiflora
- Miliflora
- Wave
Depending on the variety, these flowers come in different shapes, colors, and sizes. Typically, their diameters range from one to six inches.
No matter what variety you choose, petunias thrive in the heat of Georgia. Although they grow as annuals in all zones, they can grow as perennials in hardy zones 9:11.
Petunias are low-maintenance plants that can grow almost anywhere. They don’t require much care or work to keep up and healthy.
2. Alyssum (Lobularia Maritima)
Alyssum is a ground-cover flower that grows between four and eight inches. It blooms from late spring until the beginning of frost.
This plant blooms into small colorful flowers that come in shades of white, purple, and pink. Although Alyssum tolerates heat, extreme heat may cause a decline in blooming.
This flower can also tolerate the cold. In fact, it thrives in hardiness zones 5:9. This means that you’ll see these pretty colors for several months.
In addition, the different varieties of Alyssum include:
- Royal Carpet
- Sweet Alyssum
- Snow Crystals
- Raster Bonnet
3. Zinnia (Zinnia Elegans)
Zinnia is a flowering ground-cover plant that thrives in hardiness zones 2:11. It requires full sun and plenty of water to thrive.
This flower can grow between 6–36 inches with a colorful bloom that attracts butterflies and bees for pollination.
It’s generally easy to grow Zinnias because they resist disease, humidity, drought, and heat. Although it’s best grown in the early Spring, this flower will still bloom if planted in the summer.
You can grow Zinnias in any type of garden. They don’t require much water or sunlight. The most popular varieties of this plant include:
- Desert Zinnia
- Augustifolia Zinnia
- Common Zinnia
4. Pansy (Viola Yricolor Var. Hortensis)
Pansies are hardy annuals that bloom all year round. That’s primarily because they grow under all conditions and hardly require any care.
Such a ground-cover flower features a variety of colors. It can range between one and four inches, depending on the variety.
This flower’s different varieties include:
- Alba Minor
- Cool Wave
- Black Accord
- Chalon Supreme
You can plant pansies in the fall or in the spring. However, their blooming peaks in spring.
5. Marigolds (Tagetes Erecta Linn)
Marigolds are vividly yellow and orange flowers. They can grow between 6–36 inches. They thrive in hot and cold weather and grow in hardiness zones 2:11.
They can be grown in full or partial sunlight. In fact, they bloom for six to eight months a year. Interestingly, Marigolds are edible flowers that taste a little bitter.
These flowers attract pollinators, which adds life and beauty to your garden. The popular varieties include:
- Signet
- French
- Triploid
- African
6. Celosia (Celosia Cristata)
Celosia grows in hardiness zones 2:11. It also thrives in full or partial sunlight. That way, it’s a low-maintenance plant that can grow in most conditions.
This beautiful flower looks like the plumage of a rooster. It comes in a variety of shades, including purple, yellow, pink, and orange. It’s a relatively tall plant between ½ and 2 ½ feet in height.
This flower is also known as:
- Fairy Fountain
- Feathered Amaranth
- Celosia plumosa
- Woolflower
- Plumed Cockscomb
Although it can live in dry soil, Celosia grows best in moist well-drained soil. Therefore, you should be cautious during high humidity and excessive rainfall.
7. Amaranthus (Amaranthus Caudatus)
Amaranthus is a tall colorful flower with long red, gold, or purple tassels. Its height can range between one and five feet, depending on the variety. Interestingly, it comes in several distinct varieties.
This flower thrives in hardiness zones 2:11. It doesn’t require much sun exposure and can grow in partial shade.
Sometimes known as the Love Lies Bleeding flower, Amaranthus can bloom from fall to summer.
8. Gomphrena (Gomphrena Globosa)
Gomphrena is a beautiful flower that thrives in hardiness zones 2:11. Although it’s not common in home gardens, it can grow beautifully in Georgia. That’s primarily because it tolerates heat and drought.
This bright flower comes in several colors, such as purple, pink, and white. This makes it a great attraction for different pollinators.
Otherwise known as Globe Flower or Globe Amaranth, Gomphrena has a spherical shape. This low-maintenance plant doesn’t require much sun exposure. It can grow in partial to full sunlight.
9. Phlox (Phlox Drummondii)
Best grown in hardiness zones 2:11, this large plant can be a colorful addition to your garden. It’s half-hardy as it usually declines midsummer. However, sometimes it reblooms over the fall.
This flower requires sandy and well-drained soil. Moreover, it can live in partial shade or full sun. Fortunately, if grown right, this plant can reseed itself.
Phlox, typically, grows between 6–12 inches. It blooms into beautiful red, lavender, white, or pink flowers. This flower is famous under different names, such as:
- Annual Phlox
- Pride of Texas
- Texas Belle
- Drummond Phlox
10. Strawflower (Xerochrysum Bracteatum)
Native to Australia, Strawflower prefers heat and thrives in hardiness zones 8:10. This plant grows in partial to full shade.
A Straw flower can reach up to three feet in length and two inches in diameter. This flower is typically grown as dried or fresh cut. It’s usually kept upside down in a shady area to dry.
Interestingly, strawflowers maintain their color for a long time. They look like daisies with straw-shaped petals.
Conclusion
Looking for annuals to grow in Georgia? Given the weather conditions in this state, you should consider heat-resistant flowers to tolerate Georgia’s weather.
Among the 10 best Georgia annuals are Celosia, Amaranthus, Gomphrena, Phlox, and Strawflower.
Annuals can add a special flavor to your garden no matter which flowers you choose.