By Mary Jane Frogge, Extension Associate in Lancaster County
Annual flowers make a colorful addition to any landscape. The term annual means the flowers complete their life cycle in one growing season. Their versatility makes them useful in gardens since they are available in a wide range of colors and sizes. Take advantage of all the qualities annuals have to offer and present a beautiful landscape that will bloom from spring until fall. Many of these annual flowers also benefit pollinators.
AGERATUM (Ageratum houstonianum)
Flowers: fuzzy flowers, each flower over 1/2-inch in diameter; in clusters; shades of blue, lavender blue, lilac, white, pink. Height: 6–8 inches
ALYSSUM, SWEET (Lobularia maritima)
Flowers: many small florets in a rounded head; flowers cover the branched, low-spreading plants; pure white is the most popular, but deep lavender, pink and mixtures are available. Benefits pollinators. Height: 4–8 inches
FEATHER OR PLUME CELOSIA (Celosia argentea var. plumosa)
Flowers: graceful, feathery plume spikes; showy; yellow, gold, orange, red, pink, salmon. Height: 10-16 inches
COSMOS (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Flowers: single or semi-double, daisy-like, 3–4 inches in diameter; wide serrated petals around prominent yellow center; shades of pink, rose, red, plus white and several variegated patterns and bicolors; excellent for cutting. Leaves: delicate and feathery; fresh light green color. Benefits pollinators. Height:1–3 feet
GLOBE AMARANTH (Gomphrena globosa)
Flowers: 3/4–1-inch, rounded, clover-like with papery feel; purple-red, white, pink, orange-red. Benefits pollinators. Height: 10–24 inches
SPIDER FLOWER, CLEOME (Cleome hassleriana)
Flowers: large rounded heads 6–7 inches in diameter; each flower has long spidery stamens; white, pink, light rose, rosy lavender, cerise and mixtures; followed by long-stalked seed capsules. Height: 2–5 feet
MARIGOLD, DWARF FRENCH (Tagetes patula)
Flowers: mostly double flowers, 1–2 inches in diameter but some single types; many shades of yellow, gold, orange, mahogany-red or combinations of these colors. Height: 6–14 inches
PORTULACA, ROSE MOSS (Portulaca grandiflora)
Flowers: 1–2 inches in diameter, rose-like; single, semi-double or double shades of rose, salmon, pink, scarlet, orchid, yellow, orange, white and some striped; newer cultivars have large, double flowers. Benefits pollinators. Height: 2–5 inches
BLUE SALVIA (Salvia farinacea)
Flowers: on slender spikes; individual flowers small, lipped; colors range from white through deep blue-lavender. Benefits pollinators. Height: 10–16 inches
ZINNIA (Zinnia elegans)
Flowers: size ranges from 1–3 inches in diameter; wide range of colors from white, cream, yellow, orange, red, pink, rose, violet and even green; also multicolored and striped cultivars; usually fully double; petals usually flat but sometimes curled, quilled or twisted. Benefits pollinators. Height: 6 inches to 2 feet