Annual Plants and Flowers to Grow in Your Garden

Annual plants are those whose life cycle lasts for only one year. Their life cycle begins with the germination of the seed. The plant then blooms, producing the next generation of seed, after which the parent plant dies. Removing the blooms prior to them going to seed will prolong the life of the plant.

Annual plants will often re-seed themselves, or the seeds may be collected, prepared and re-sown. Annuals are an excellent way to create a dramatic splash of summer color in the garden, or for long blooming annual baskets.

Common Name:

African Daisy

Botanical Name: Arctotis x hybrida

Height: 1-2 ft.

USDA Zones: 9-11

Requirements & Benefits:

African Daisies typically have bold, beautiful foliage and large, 3"-4", intensely colored flowers with bright centers. The foliage is grey to silvery green and coated with soft, downy silver hairs. The flowers close at night.

Common Name:

African Daisies

Botanical Name: Osteospermum barberae

Height: 12-18"

USDA Zones: 6-9

Requirements & Benefits:

Osteospermums should be grown in full sun, but they will tolerate some partial shade. They produce a steady supply of unique 2" spoon flowers from early spring until the first frost

Common Name:

Annual Aster

Botanical Name: Callistephus chinensis

Height: 8-24"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

This annual plant is a native to Asia. The 2-4" flowers range in color from blue, white, red, yellow, or pink on 1'-3' stems. Do not plant annual varieties of Asters in the same are for more than two consecutive years to prevent Aster wilt.

Common Name:

Bachelor's Button

Botanical Name: Centaurea cyanus

Height: 18-36"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Bachelor's Button is the annual version of the Mountain Cornflower. It is an easy to grow plant that quickly forms a nice clump. It begins producing it's bright flowers in late spring and will often continue blooming well into fall. Excellent for dried flowers and potpourri.

Common Name:

Bat Face Plant

Botanical Name: Cuphea llavea

Height: 2-3 ft.

USDA Zones: 10-12

Requirements & Benefits:

Bat Face Flowers are low maintenance, shrubby perennials with glossy green, lance shaped leaves. They grow 18"-24" tall with a three foot spread. Bat Face Cupheas produce masses of 1" purple tubular flowers with two bright red, upward facing petals.

Common Name:

Candytuft

Botanical Name: Iberis species

Height: 6"-12"

USDA Zones: vary

Requirements & Benefits:

The Iberis genus of plants includes about fourty different species of annuals, perennials and sub-shrubs, with flower colors in shades of white, red, pink or lavender. They are great plants for borders or in your Rock Garden.

Common Name:

Cigar Plant

Botanical Name: Cuphea cyanea

Height: 2-3 ft.

USDA Zones: 10-12

Requirements & Benefits:

The Cigar Plant or Black Eyed Cuphea as it is also known, form two foot tall mounds of lance-shaped, bright green leaves with brittle stems. They produce foot long sprays of tubular, orangish-red to pink, 1"-1½" flowers with two tiny black petals.

Common Name:

Cigarette Plant

Botanical Name: Cuphea ignea

Height: 2-3 ft.

USDA Zones: 10-12

Requirements & Benefits:

The Cigarette Flower plant is sometimes called a Firecracker Plant. They have small, lance shaped, glossy green leaves that form tight mounds and tubular, petal-less, bright orange-red, ¾"-1¼" flowers.

Common Name:

Cup and Saucer Bellflower

Botanical Name: Campanula calacanthema

Height: 8-12"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

There are about three hundred different species of Campanula. This annual variety prefers full sun and rich, well drained soil and should be kept well watered, especially when in bloom.

Common Name:

English Marigold

Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis

Height: 6"-24"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

The English Marigold is a bright and cheery plant that produces 3"-5" blooms all summer from June until frost. They are very fast and easy to grow and are easily grown from seeds.Herbal and Medicinal uses of the English Marigold Plant

Common Name:

Castor Bean

Botanical Name: Ricinus communis

Height: 6-12 ft.

USDA Zones: 9-12

Requirements & Benefits:

Castor Beans are fast growing, tender perennial shrubs that are capable of growing up to 12 feet in a single season. Castor Bean plants have reddish colored stalks with very large palmate shaped, deep green to dark purple leaves that can grow up to 2 feet wide. Seeds of the Castor Bean plant are extremely poisonous!

Common Name:

Chocolate Cosmos

Botanical Name: Cosmos atrosanguineus

Height: 12-15"

USDA Zones: 7-10

Requirements & Benefits:

The dark maroon flowers of Chocolate Cosmos appear on wirey 18 inch stems from June until frost and produce a pleasant chocolate scent. With excellent drainage and heavy winter mulching Chocolate Cosmos will often survive in zone 6.

Common Name:

Cineraria

Botanical Name: Pericallis cruenta

Height: 12-24"

USDA Zones: 9-11

Requirements & Benefits:

Cineraria plants form 12"-24" tall, mounded clumps of large, lush, bright green leaves which create a nice accent for the vividly colored, 3"-5" flowers that stand above it in the spring and summer.

Common Name:

Cockscomb

Botanical Name: Celosia Argentea

Height: 12-16"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Plumosa cultivar flowers resemble plume like feathers, while Cristata flowers looks like a rooster's comb with crested heads and ridges. Low maintenance, good for dried flowers

Common Name:

Cosmos

Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatus

Height: 3-5 ft.

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Cosmos are extremely heat and drought tolerant. They prefer full sun and do well in poor, infertile soil. Cosmos plants come in a rainbow of summer blooming flower colors

Common Name:

Creeping Zinnia

Botanical Name: Sanvitalia procumbens

Height: 6-10"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Creeping Zinnia is a bright little yellow flowering annual plant. They should be planted in rich, well draining soil, in full sun.

Common Name:

Cup Flower

Botanical Name: Nierembergia

Height: 6-9"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Cup Flowers are long lasting annual plants that produces hundreds of 1", upturned star shaped flowers from late spring until mid fall. It is great for hanging baskets and planters or as a quick ground cover

Common Name:

Dusty Miller

Botanical Name: Senecio cineraria

Height: 12-24"

USDA Zones: 8-11

Requirements & Benefits:

Dusty Miller are compact, mound forming, evergreen perennial plants that are grown as annuals in cooler regions. They are great for borders or as companion plantings for brightly colored annual flowers. Excellent for growing in containers.

Common Name:

English Daisy

Botanical Name: Bellis perennis

Height: 3"-6"

USDA Zones: 4-10

Requirements & Benefits:

The original English Daisy is the wild Daisy often seen growing in lawns. This biennial plant has now been hybridized to include double flowering varieties in shades of white, pink, rose-red or purple. The bright 2" flowers appear in succession, on 6" stems from April through June.

Common Name:

Florist's Carnation

Botanical Name: Dianthus caryophyllus

Height: 6-12"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Florist's Carnations are actually tender perennials that are best grown from seed as an annual and then disposed of. They prefer alkaline soil and dislike heat. They produce richly fragrant flowers in the summer

Common Name:

Floss Flower

Botanical Name: Ageratum

Height: 6-24"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Ageratum is known for its furry mounds of long lasting floss-like blue flowers, occasionally you can find them in white and pink. Deadhead regularly for continued bloom

Common Name:

Flowering tobacco

Botanical Name: Nicotiana alata

Height: 30-36"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Flowering tobacco is a tall, easy to grow annual that is useful for garden backgrounds or for eye catching mass plantings. It produces an abundance of 2½" star shaped flowers all summer until first frost. Can be easily grown from seed

Common Name:

Four o' clock

Botanical Name: Mirabilis jalapa

Height: 24"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Four o' clocks are fragrant, colorful and very easy to grow. The plants got their name, Four o' clock, because the flowers do not open till around 4 o'clock in the afternoon, except on cloudy days. Can be easily grown from seed

Common Name:

Foxgloves

Botanical Name: Digitalis purpurea

Height: 3-6 ft.

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Foxglove is a biennial flower which is native to Europe but now grows wild in most temperate climates of the world. Foxgloves prefer moist, well draining, fertile soil but can survive drought and almost any growing conditions.

Common Name:

Garden Pinks

Botanical Name: Dianthus

Height: 6-12"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Most Garden Pinks are tender perennial or biennial clump forming plants that prefer alkaline soil and dislike heat. They produce richly fragrant flowers in the spring or summer, sometimes extending right up until the first frost.

Common Name:

Heliotrope

Botanical Name: Heliotropium arborescens

Height: 1-6 ft.

USDA Zones: 10-11

Requirements & Benefits:

Heliotropes are also known by the old-fashioned name of Cherry Pie. They are frost tender, evergreen shrubs that are most often grown as annual bedding plants. Their main attraction is the aroma from their clusters of tiny flowers with the sweet fragrance of vanilla or cherry pie.

Common Name:

Ivy Geranium

Botanical Name: Pelargonium peltatum

Height:

USDA Zones: 9-11

Requirements & Benefits:

The Ivy Leaved Geranium is a frost tender, climbing and trailing, semi succulent perennial that produces clusters of orchid-like flowers at the vine tips all summer. Good in hanging baskets. They can be propagated by softwood cuttings or grown from seed

Common Name:

Larkspur

Botanical Name: Consolida ambigua

Height: 1-5 ft.

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Larkspur is a low maintenance, upright growing annual with many stems of sparsely covered with light green, needle-like foliage topped with a spire of brightly colored flowers throughout the summer. Remove spent blooms to prolong flowering.

Common Name:

Lotus Vine

Botanical Name: Lotus maculatus

Height:

USDA Zones: 9-11

Requirements & Benefits:

The Lotus Vine is a semi hardy hanging or ground crawling vine that is most often grown as an annual plant. The foliage consists of fine, 1-2", silvery blue needle like leaves. Produces lots of bright, 'parrot beak' shaped flowers in late spring and early summer. Excellent for hanging baskets or to cascade down a rockery

Common Name:

Lupine

Botanical Name: Lupinus

Height: 12-36"

USDA Zones: 3-8

Requirements & Benefits:

Lupines are upright, mound forming annual or perennial wildflowers with large green, lance shaped leaves and spikes of brightly colored sweet pea-like flowers from June to August. Can be easily grown from seed Beware of slugs!

Common Name:

Marguerite Daisy

Botanical Name: Argyranthemum frutescens

Height: 1-3 ft.

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Marguerite Daisies are easy to grow, tender perennials that are usually grown as annual plants. They produce masses of fragrant, 1-2", Chrysanthemum-like flowers from mid spring until mid fall that attract many types of butterflies

Common Name:

Marigold

Botanical Name: Tagetes

Height: 8-36"

USDA Zones: 9-11

Requirements & Benefits:

Marigolds are one of the easiest of all plants to grow and care for, making them a perfect plant for teaching young children about growing and gardening. These spunky little plants are only hardy in zones 9-11 so they are normally grown as annual bedding plants.

Common Name:

Monkey Flower

Botanical Name: Mimulus hybridus

Height: 1 ft.

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

The Monkey Flower is a colorful, easy to grow addition to the shaded areas of your garden. This plant grows well in containers and can be grown as a house plant

Common Name:

Morning Glory

Botanical Name: Ipomoea species

Height: 10-20 ft.

USDA Zones: 9-12

Requirements & Benefits:

Morning Glories are very fast growing vines that are capable of growing 10 feet or more within the first two months. They readily reseed themselves for the next year. Morning Glory vines may become invasive

Common Name:

Moss Rose

Botanical Name: Portulaca Grandiflora

Height: 4-8

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Moss Rose is a quick growing succulent annual. Portulaca seeds should be sown outside after your last frost has passed. Seeds will germinate within 10-15 days.

Common Name:

Mountain Garland

Botanical Name: Clarkia elegans

Height: 18-24"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

The Mountain Garland is a fast growing, easy care annual plant that produces an abundance of bright, double flowers on tall whispy stems. Excellent for cut flowers. Can be easily grown from seed

Common Name:

Nasturtium

Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus

Height:

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Once established, Nasturtiums take little or no care. As they spread and grow, their foliage resembles a sea of tiny lily pad leaves topped with brightly colored, edible blossoms. Can be easily grown from seed

Common Name:

Nemesia

Botanical Name: Nemesia strumosa

Height: 10-12"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Nemesias are brightly colored annual plants that quickly grow to a height of 12 inches. Nemesias grow well in hanging baskets and planters

Common Name:

Ornamental Kale

Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea

Height: 8-12"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Ornamental Kale will not tolerate summer heat. These plants are very showy, and come in a variety of colors, ranging from white to pinks, purples or reds, extremely cold-tolerant

Common Name:

Painted Nettle

Botanical Name: Coleus blumei

Height: 8-24"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Coleus plants are durable and easy to grow. They are best known for their bright colors, and variety of foliage forms

Common Name:

Pansy

Botanical Name: Viola

Height: 3-8"

USDA Zones: 6-9

Requirements & Benefits:

Pansies may be cool season annuals, biennials, or hardy perennials. They may bloom in early spring or fall depending on the species. Planting time is critical

Common Name:

Persian Buttercup

Botanical Name: Ranunculus asiaticus

Height: 8-18"

USDA Zones: 8-10

Requirements & Benefits:

Persian Buttercups provide a continuing display of beautiful 3"-5" Camellia-like flowers atop branched, 8"-18" stems, from late spring through mid summer. They are well suited plants for growing in planters

Common Name:

Petunia

Botanical Name: Petunia x hybrida

Height: 12-18"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Petunias have long been the most popular flowering annual for planting in hanging baskets, window boxes and for border plantings. There are many single and double flowering varieties available. Can be easily grown from seed

Common Name:

Pin Cushion Plant

Botanical Name: Nertera granadensis

Height: 1-2"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

The Pin Cushion Plant is a fast growing tropical plant that produces an abundance of tiny orange berries just in time for halloween. Pin cushions require full sun or they will produce a lot of foliage and very few berries

Common Name:

Pocketbook Plant Pouch Flower

Botanical Name: Calceolaria

Height: 6-15"

USDA Zones: 9-11

Requirements & Benefits:

There are about 300 species of Calceolaria, but the vast majority of those commonly cultivated are hybrids of the Chilean species Calceolaria crenatiflora. They are commonly known as Pocketbook Plants, Pouch Flowers or Slipper Flowers.

Common Name:

Poor Man's Orchid

Botanical Name: Schizanthus wisetonensis

Height: 1-2 ft.

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

The colorful orchid like flowers of the Butterfly Flower contrast beautifully against the soft, feathery foliage of this annual. Schizanthus dislike extremes of heat or cold, preferring cool and moist conditions.

Common Name:

Scarlet Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia splendens

Height: 3-5 ft.

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Scarlet Sage is a frost tender perennial that is usually grown as an annual. It blooms in various colors including scarlet, purple, orange, lavender and yellow. Remove old flowers for repeat blooms.

Common Name:

Snapdragons

Botanical Name: Antirrhinum majas

Height: 9-48"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Snapdragons produce tall stalks of fragrant flowers that attract both butterflies and hummingbirds throughout the summer. Snapdragons are easily grown from seed

Common Name:

Strawflower

Botanical Name: Bracteantha bracteata

Height: 2-3 ft.

USDA Zones: 10-11

Requirements & Benefits:

Paper Daisys are tender perennials usually grown as annuals. They need moist, but well drained soil. They can be propagated by softwood cuttings or grown from seed

Common Name:

Sunflower

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus

Height:

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Sunflowers are single stemmed annuals with large, fuzzy, silvery green, lance shape leaves. They produce long lasting, large single or multiple flower heads that range from 4-12" depending on the variety.

Common Name:

Sweet Pea

Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus

Height:

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Sweet Peas have long been a favorite of gardeners because of the wonderful fragrance of the large clusters of colorful flowers that grace these annual vines all summer.

Common Name:

Sweet William

Botanical Name: Dianthus barbatus

Height: 6-12"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Sweet William is a clump forming, deciduous biennial that prefers alkaline soil and dislikes heat. They produce a steady supply of fragrant, showy flowers from late spring to late summer, sometimes extending right up until the first frost.

Common Name:

Treasure Flower

Botanical Name: Gazania

Height: 6-8"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

The Treasure Flower's brightly bi-colored, daisy-like flowers are 2-5 inches in diameter, growing atop 6-12 inch stalks. The foliage is somewhat grasslike, but narrow at the base and widening toward the tip.

Common Name:

Twinspur

Botanical Name: Diascia barberae

Height: 6-12"

USDA Zones: 8-10

Requirements & Benefits:

Twinspurs are a vigorous growing, tender perennials that are closely related to the Snapdragon. They have small, heart shaped foliage and grow from 6"-12" tall, forming 8"-20" clumps. From late spring until early fall, they produce bright pink or salmon colored, 1/2"-3/4" flowers.

Common Name:

Violets

Botanical Name: Viola sp

Height: 2-6"

USDA Zones: 4-8

Requirements & Benefits:

Violets are dainty little self seeding versions of the Pansy. Their seeds can be directly sown into the garden at anytime from spring through fall, but the seeds need darkness and 70° to germinate

Common Name:

Zinnia

Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans

Height: 6-40"

USDA Zones:

Requirements & Benefits:

Zinnias are easy to grow annual plants that produce an abundance of brightly colored 2-3" flowers through the summer months. They grow well in containers and make excellent cut flower arrangements. They dislike wet foliage. Can be easily grown from seed