AMAZING ANNUAL FLOWERS FOR SUN

DIAMOND SERIES EUPHORBIA(Euphorbia hybrid)

Add a froth of starry white flowers to your bolder flowers and foliage to create an eye-catching combination this summer. Although annual euphorbia may look delicate, this hard-working plant is in fact drought tolerant, heat tolerant and deer resistant. It is also easy-care and blooms all season long without the need for deadheading or trimming. Smaller varieties are ideal for containers and baskets, while larger varieties make a handsome display in the landscape.

Height/Spread:

12 to 36 inches tall and wide

Plants to try:

Diamond Frost® (pictured), Diamond Mountain®, Diamond Snow®

GERANIUM(Pelargonium hybrids)

There is a geranium to suit every color scheme and design, from classic “zonal" forms with an upright habit, to trailing “ivy" varieties; multi-colored leaves or plain green; striped flowers or solid colors. It’s no wonder then that geraniums are as popular today as they were decades ago. Whether you prefer to use them in containers, window boxes, hanging baskets, or in the garden border, all they ask is that you water and fertilize them occasionally and remove the spent blooms.

Height/Spread:

6 to 36 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide

Varieties to try:

‘Mrs. Pollock’ (variegated foliage, pictured), Americana Salmon, Blizzard® White (ivy geranium)

Read more about how to grow geraniums.

LANTANA(Lantana camara)

Popular for placing at the edges of containers where they can mound gently over the sides, lantana are hard-working plants, blooming repeatedly throughout the summer with flat clusters of flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, lantana are available in a wide range of colors including multi-colored forms, as well as some varieties with variegated foliage.

Remove the small pineapple-shaped seed heads when petals have fallen to encourage the next flush of flowers.

Height/Spread:

12 to 26 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide

Plants to try:

Luscious® Berry Blend™ (pictured), Bandana® Cherry, Samantha

Learn more about growing lantana.

MARIGOLD(Tagetes spp.)

The ever-popular French and African marigolds are, in fact, both native to Mexico, where they have been used for medicinal, ceremonial, and decorative purposes for centuries. Today, home gardeners enjoy them as easy-care bedding plants, equally at home in the vegetable garden as they are in containers or the landscape.

African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are the tallest form, with double blooms up to 6 inches in diameter, and the shorter and smaller-flowered French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are enjoyed for their rich color blends. Finally, dainty signet marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia) are perfect for edging and bloom the most prolifically.

Deadhead to encourage continued flowering and treat for slugs as needed.

Height/Spread:

6 to 36 inches tall and 6 to 24 inches wide

Plants to try:

‘Paprika’ (signet, pictured), Gold Coins series (African), ‘Disco Queen’ (French)

For more, see Growing Marigolds.

CALIBRACHOA(Calibrachoa hybrids)

You can’t beat Calibrachoa, (commonly called Superbells® or Million Bells®) for sheer flower power. While each bell-shaped bloom is typically less than 1 inch in diameter, they are usually borne in abundance and cover the plant entirely. With so many colors to choose from and habits ranging from compact to more generous-sized varieties that spill over the edge of larger containers, gardeners can enjoy creating their perfect summer combination. Look for single and double flowered forms, the latter resembling miniature roses.

Rain resistant and self cleaning, just water regularly and fertilize to look their best.

Height/Spread:

3 to 12 inches tall and 10 to 30 inches wide

Varieties to try:

Superbells® Double Chiffon (pictured), Cruze Yellow Red Eye, Million Bells® Trailing Blue

Learn more about how to grow Calibrachoa.

MOSS ROSE(Portulaca grandiflora or P. umbraticola)

Perfect for hot, dry locations, moss rose will thrive in tough conditions. Use these succulent beauties to trail from baskets or to act as a carpeting groundcover in the landscape where they will bloom nonstop without regular water. In ideal conditions, they may also set seed for the following year.

Height/Spread:

3 to 6 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide

Varieties to try:

Mojave® series, Sundial ‘Fuchsia’, Sundial ‘Yellow’

Learn more about how to grow moss rose.

NEMESIA(Nemesia fruticans and hybrids)

With many new colors to choose from, including bi-colors and blends, nemesia are ideal for adding some fun to your late spring and early summer designs. Their gently mounding habit makes them a perfect candidate for the edges of containers and baskets, where they can be allowed to cascade.

The main requirement for success is good drainage, so nemesia generally do better in containers than garden beds. Otherwise, these are easy-care plants and do not need deadheading.

Height/Spread:

6 to 12 inches tall and 8 to 18 inches wide

Plants to try:

Sunsatia® Coconut (pictured), Bluebird, Juicy Fruits Kumquat

Learn more about how to grow nemesia.

PETUNIA(Petunia hybrids)

Speckled or striped, pastel or jewel tones, compact or trailing, single flowers or fully double; you will find plenty of petunias to suit every design criterion imaginable. Just add sun and water and you’ll have an abundant display.

To encourage continuous bloom, deadhead regularly (although many new varieties are self-cleaning) and remember to fertilize during the season. If plants begin to look leggy, a quick trim will have them bouncing back in no time.

Mature size will vary considerably with variety.

Height/Spread:

6 to 10 inches tall and 10 to 36 inches wide

Plants to try:

Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum® (pictured), Crazytunia Moonstruck, Surfinia Giant Blue

Read more about growing petunias.

SALVIA, SAGE(Salvia spp. and hybrids)

In addition to the perennial and shrub forms of sage, there are several outstanding tender varieties that can be enjoyed as annuals in colder climates. All are deer resistant and drought tolerant once established, and reliably heat tolerant. These upright plants perform well in the landscape and containers.

Mealycup sage (S. farinacea) is typically blue and makes a statement in the landscape; some newer hybrids are larger and especially attractive to hummingbirds, with flowers in shades of red, orange, and pink. For an electric glow, try pineapple sage (S. elegans) with its golden-yellow leaves and fire-engine red blooms in late summer or early fall. This grows to the size of a modest shrub in a single growing season. Finally, consider leaving room for scarlet sage (S. coccinea). A perennial in its native southern range, varieties are often available as annuals in cooler climates.

Size and habit will vary with species and variety.

Height/Spread:

12 to 48 inches tall and 6 to 36 inches wide

Varieties to try:

Evolution (mealycup sage) (pictured), Rockin Fuchsia (hybrid), Proven Accents® Rockin® ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Lady in Red’ (scarlet sage)

To learn more, see Growing Salvias.

VERBENA(Verbena hybrids)

This vigorous, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant annual will act both as a filler and a spiller in your containers, or it can be used to add a carpet of color to your landscape beds. Verbena typically re-blooms quickly, and newer varieties do not need to be deadheaded in order to encourage successive blooming.

Mature size will vary with variety.

Height/Spread:

3 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 36 inches wide

Varieties to try:

Superbena Royale® Romance (pictured), Lanai® White, Tapien® Blue Violet

Learn more about how to grow verbena.

AFRICAN DAISY(Osteospermum hybrid)

These cheerful daisies are bound to elicit a smile—and mercifully seem to be ignored by both rabbits and deer. African daisies do well in the landscape if the soil is well drained, and thrive in container gardens. Deadheading isn’t necessary since the spent blooms are quickly hidden as the plant grows.

In hotter climates, peak bloom times will be late spring and early fall, as these daisies dislike intense summer heat. In more temperate regions, you may enjoy a good display throughout the season. Cut blooms as soon as they open to use in arrangements. Single and semi-double-flowered varieties add to their value and interest.

In warmer climates, these may overwinter.

Height/Spread:

8 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide

Varieties to try:

Bright Lights™ Purple (pictured), Lemon Symphony, Soprano® White

Read more, see Growing African Daisy Plants.

ANGELONIA(Angelonia hybrid)

Thriving in hot, humid conditions, tolerant of either wet feet or drought, lightly fragrant foliage, and good cut flowers that resemble petite snapdragons—you’ll wonder why you haven’t grown more of these! These low-maintenance annuals do not need deadheading, yet will bloom all season no matter how hot it gets.

Plant in large drifts in the border or as vertical accents in your containers. There are also some varieties available which will fill the center of a container and also spill gently over the sides.

Height/Spread:

8 to 30 inches tall and 12 to 30 inches wide

Varieties to try:

Angelface® Cascade Snow (pictured), Angelface® Wedgwood Blue, Angelface® Perfectly Pink

See more about how to grow angelonia.

COSMOS(Cosmos bipinnatus)

One of the easiest annuals to grow from seed, cosmos deserves a place in every garden. Stately, shrub-sized plants with feathery foliage offer the stage for a summer-long performance of daisy-shaped blooms in shades of red, pink, white, or palest lemon, each with a distinctive yellow eye. The long stems are a florist’s dream, yet they are sturdy enough for even young children to pick. Plant cosmos in large drifts for an unforgettable display and endless bouquets to share with your neighbors.

Height/Spread:

2 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide

Plants to try:

‘Lemonade’ (pictured), ‘Sensation’, ‘Seashells’

See more about how to grow cosmos.

SNAPDRAGON(Antirrhinum majus)

A must-have for the cutting garden—and any garden where children are likely to visit, because every child should experience the fun of “snapping" the dragon’s head! Easy to grow from seed or available as finished plants, these come in compact, mid-sized, and tall varieties to suit your space and needs. Taller varieties are the most versatile for cut flowers, but may need staking.

With a rainbow of colors to choose from, this old-fashioned annual will never go off trend.

When all the flowers on a blooming stalk have faded, cut off at the base to encourage new growth

Height/Spread:

8 to 48 inches tall and 6 to 18 inches wide

Series to try:

Sonnet, Rocket, Floral Showers

See more about how to grow snapdragon flowers.

SPIDER FLOWER(Cleome hassleriana and hybrids)

If you need a drought-tolerant, rabbit- and deer-resistant cut flower, spider flower may be the answer. Whether you need tall stems for dramatic floral arrangements or more modest bouquets for your home, these annuals won’t let you down. And while the taller, more traditional varieties are notorious for setting seed, having thorns, and being sticky to the touch, newer hybrids will astound you with their performance and well-behaved attitude.

For the landscape, plant in groups of 3 or 5, or just add one to a mixed container and impress your friends and neighbors with your innovative design (we won’t tell).

Height/Spread:

1-1/2 to 6 feet tall and 1-1/2 to 3 feet wide

Varieties to try:

Senorita Blanca® (pictured), ‘Sparkler Blush’, ‘Rose Queen’

Learn more about growing spider flowers.

SUNFLOWER(Helianthus annus and hybrids)

The classic summertime cut flower; every gardener should grow at least a few sunflowers. Whether you grow them for their edible seed, to enjoy the antics of visiting birds, or to cut flowers for the home, this quintessential bloom comes in the perfect size for your garden. As well as the traditional yellow varieties, watch for multi-colored blends.

The large seeds are easy enough for young children to sow—what a perfect way to engage the next generation of gardeners.

Provide support for taller varieties.

Height/Spread:

2 to 16 feet tall and 20 to 36 inches wide

Plants to try:

Suncredible® Yellow (pictured), ‘Sunzilla’, ‘Sun Samba’

Learn more about growing sunflowers.

ZINNIA(Zinnia elegans)

Whether you prefer shorter stems and jelly bean colors or taller stems in elegant shades of coral, don’t underestimate the ability of zinnia to meet your needs. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, these annuals beg you to cut them for the vase, while still producing a garden-worthy display. Zinnia thrive in the heat, so don’t plant them out too soon. Otherwise, these are totally fuss-free. Single and double flower forms available.

Height/Spread:

12 to 50 inches tall and 10 to 36 inches wide

Plants to try:

Magellan™ Scarlet (pictured), ‘Benary’s Giant Coral’, ‘Green Envy’

See How to Grow Zinnias for more.

BIDENS(Bidens ferulifolia)

Extremely heat and drought tolerant, bidens will drape over the sides of containers with successive sweeps of colorful, daisy-like flowers all summer long. Since it has a wide-spreading, slightly stiff growth habit, this also makes an excellent ground cover.

Choose from flowers in shades of pink, gold, or orange, as well as two-tone varieties and pure white.

Height/Spread:

8 to 14 inches tall and 10 to 24 inches wide

Plants to try:

Goldilocks Rocks® (pictured), Beedance® Painted Red, ‘White Delight’

See How to Grow Bidens Flowers for more.

DICHONDRA(Dichondra argentea)

Sometimes you need some sparkle; and Silver Falls dichondra delivers. Allow this to tumble from hanging baskets, tall containers, and window boxes, and enjoy the long, trailing, metallic stems of silver fans swaying in the breeze. Heat tolerant, drought tolerant, and deer resistant this tough foliage accent is the perfect finishing touch to all your floral containers. It also makes an excellent groundcover and may overwinter in mild climates.

Height/Spread:

2 to 6 inches tall and 18 to 36 inches wide.

Varieties to try:

Proven Accents® Silver Falls™ (pictured).

See How to Grow & Care For Dichondra for more.

LOTUS VINE(Lotus berthelotii)

Even if this never bloomed, it would be worth adding to your hanging baskets and containers for the feathery, silver-green foliage alone. Yet when the exotic flowers appear, they really steal the show, each one resembling a tiny parrot’s beak, a common name by which it is sometimes known.

Flower colors are in fiery shades of red, orange, and/or gold and are loved by hummingbirds.

Height/Spread:

6 to 8 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide

Varieties to try:

‘Amazon Sunset’ (pictured), ‘Gold Flash’, ‘Red Flash’