What Are Summer Annual Flowers? Top Picks for Color All Season

Overview

Summer annuals complete their life cycle in one season, pouring all energy into flowers for months of bloom. Clemson University notes dozens of varieties, colors, and forms for diverse conditions.

Petunias (Petunia hybrida)

Masses of long-lasting bloom for beds or containers. Now available in solids, bi-colors, ruffled, mounding, trailing. Grandiflora: 4-inch flowers. Multiflora: smaller but profuse. Milliflora: dainty, ideal for borders/containers. Groundcover types form 6-inch carpets. Need 5–6 hours sun, well-drained soil. Amend with organic matter; feed with liquid fertilizer from mid-July. Also good as cut flowers—add cascading branches for fragrance and form.

Annuals for Shade

Most annuals need full sun, but a few thrive in shade. Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) and coleus (Coleus × hybridus) make a striking pair. Impatiens: continuous single/double blooms from white/yellow through pinks/reds to lavender. Coleus: grown for variegated foliage (burgundy, lime, coral, pink, black). Both like moist, well-drained soil.

Fragrant Annuals

Petunias have light scent. Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens): deep green leaves, white–lavender blooms, vanilla fragrance ("cherry-pie plant"). Morning sun best. Four o'clock (Mirabilis jalapa): opens late afternoon/cloudy days. Bushy to 3 ft. Annual in Zone 8 and lower. Heat/drought tolerant. White, pink, red, yellow flowers attract hummingbirds, perfume evenings. Sunny, moist, well-drained soil. Warning: plants and tubers toxic if ingested.