By Mary Jane Frogge, Extension Associate
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.
Alyssum, Sweet (Lobularia maritima)
Flowers: many small florets in a rounded head; flowers literally cover the branched, low-spreading plants; pure white is the most popular but deep lavender, pink and mixtures are available. Benefit pollinators.
Height: 4–8 inches
Cockscomb (Celosia var. cristata)
Flowers: striking, enlarged, flattened, rounded or crested flower heads, 2–10 inches wide; yellow, gold, orange, red, purple-red, pink, salmon.
Height: 8–14 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. Benefit pollinators.
Height: 1–3 feet
Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
Flowers: 3/4 to 1 inch, rounded, clover-like with papery feel; purple-red, white, pink, orange-red. Benefit pollinators.
Height: 10–24 inches
Spider Flower, Cleome (Cleome hasslerana)
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. Benefit 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. Benefit 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, white and even green; also multicolored and striped cultivars; usually fully double; petals usually flat but sometimes curled, quilled, or twisted. Benefit pollinators.
Height: 6 inches–2 feet