Annual Plants: One-Season Wonders for Continuous Color

Annuals complete their life cycle in one growing season: germinate, bloom, set seed, die. They’re showier than perennials with long bloom (spring to frost), but must be replanted yearly.

Types of Annuals

• Hardy annuals: Tolerate light frost; direct sow (Larkspur, Cornflower, Nigella, Calendula).
• Half-hardy annuals: Start indoors 4–8 weeks before last frost; plant after frost (Dahlias, Gazania, Geraniums, Tuberous Begonias). Some can be overwintered (dig tubers, bring in geraniums).
• Climate-dependent: In warm zones, some annuals act as perennials (mums, pansies, snapdragons).

Popular Annuals

Amaranth, Larkspur, Mallow, Baby’s Breath, Bachelor Buttons, Coleus, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Dianthus, Dusty Miller, Evening Primrose, Gazania, Heliotrope, Impatiens, Johnny-jump-up, Joseph’s Coat, Lisianthus, Marigolds, Morning Glory, Nasturtium, Nicotiana, Pansy, Petunia, Poppies, Salvia, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Snow-on-the-Mountain, Spider Flower, Statice, Sweet Alyssum, Vinca, Zinnia—and many more.

Most vegetables are grown as annuals. Choose by your USDA zone for best results.