Annual Flowers: Year-Round Garden Color Made Simple

Annuals deliver seasonal color flexibility unmatched by perennials. Choose by bloom time and hardiness for continuous displays.

Three Hardiness Categories

Hardy annuals (calendula, foxglove, viola, sweet alyssum, stocks, cornflowers, pansy, larkspur, dianthus): Bloom in cold, planted spring/fall. Dislike heat.

Half-hardy annuals (torenia, snow-on-the-mountain, blue sage, strawflower, baby's breath, candytuft, bells of Ireland, celosia, love-in-a-mist, forget-me-nots): Tolerate damp cold, die in hard frost. Plant after last spring frost. No warm soil needed. May droop in peak heat, recover late summer.

Tender annuals (scarlet sage, morning glory, petunias, begonias, celosia, balsam, nasturtium, verbena): Cold-intolerant. Plant 3 weeks post-last-frost. Shine in late spring/summer.

Design Strategy

Mix categories for year-round color. The variety explosion guarantees stunning seasonal transitions.