31 Annual Flowers for a Bright and Cheerful Garden

If you want to add some bright and quick color to your garden, annual flowers are nearly always the way to go. While perennial plants are reliable, they tend to have shorter flowering times.  They don’t always have the blooming power of annuals. 

The biological explanation for why annual plants bloom so well is easy to grasp. These plants survive and reproduce by self-seeding. The more flowers they produce, the better the chances of the plant producing plenty of seeds. This means your plants return year after year. 

Not every annual will self-seed in your climate, but many will. They are fast growers that produce a lot of beautiful flowers in a single season. Although it may mean a bit more effort in spring, planting these 31 annual flowers in your garden can also mean a ton of long-lasting color in your flower beds. 

Zinnias

	botanical name Zinnia elegans
	sun requirements Full sun
	height up to 3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

This annual flower adds an amazing amount of bright color to the garden in a surprisingly short amount of time. With a seed-to-flower time of only 60 days, succession planting zinnias will keep your garden flush with flowers from spring through fall until the first frost. Zinnias are easy to grow and require little care once the seeds are sown.

Direct sow your zinnia seeds as soon as the threat of frost has passed and the soil warms up. Broadcast sow your seeds directly into the garden and then thin them out once the seedlings are three inches tall. Zinnias are drought and heat-tolerant and come in a wide variety of sizes and petal forms.

Marigolds

	botanical name Tagetes
	sun requirements Full sun
	height up to 4’
	hardiness zones 2-11

I love to pop these annual flowers into my container arrangements to add bright color. These tough little flowers end up providing more color in my garden than almost any other flower. They have an extra-long blooming period. The flowers are edible, in addition to being beautiful, and look wonderful as culinary garnish.

Give your marigolds plenty of sunlight. They can take direct sun all day. These are incredibly heat and drought-tolerant little plants. As Mexican natives, marigolds are well adapted to hot and dry weather. Add these to your vegetable garden to attract beneficial insects and repel some of the harmful ones. 

Sunflowers

	botanical name Helianthus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height up to 25’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Sunflowers are among the largest annual flowers. They are a classic, bright addition to the summer garden. Start your sunflowers early in spring, as they can take up to 13 weeks to bloom from seed. Once they get started, sunflowers can bloom for eight to 12 weeks, bringing bright, happy colors to the garden. 

In addition to the classic yellow sunflowers, there are sunflowers in shades of red and brown as well. If you leave the seed heads, overwintering birds will come to visit and have a sunflower seed feast. Sunflowers like all the sun you can give them, as their name implies. On a cloudy day, they may turn to face each other rather than toward the sun.

Sweet Peas

	botanical name Lathyrus odoratus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height up to 8’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Sweet peas are another annual flower with a very short seed-to-bloom time. Their bright flowers appear in as little as 50 days after planting. In mild climates, sow your sweet pea seeds in fall. They will begin to bloom in late winter, continuing until mid-summer. Sweet peas come in a wide array of colors, and their long stems make them excellent cut flowers.

Cool-weather is the ideal growing condition for most sweet peas. However, some more heat-tolerant varieties have been developed and these will bloom through the summer. Give your sweet pea plants full sun, with some afternoon shade. A bit of shade around their roots to help retain moisture and keep them blooming longer. 

Cosmos

	botanical name Cosmos
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

For bright color and texture, consider planting these annual flowers this year. Cosmos are delightfully easy to grow and drought-tolerant. They also have a delightfully delicate appearance. The fernlike texture of the leaves creates a nice contrast to broadleaved plants. These are a pollinator favorite with their abundance of brightly colored flowers. 

Cosmos are fast growers, blooming about two months after germination. They make great cut flowers. Even though the individual flowers only last for a day, multiple buds per stem will continue to open after cutting them. If you leave flowers to go to seed, your cosmos will self-seed quite well. 

Poppy

	botanical name Papaver
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Poppies have a rich and storied history that includes a fair amount of controversy. As a garden plant, they are simply beautiful annuals that brighten up the landscape.

They also attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. They take a little longer to bloom, about three months after planting, but they are worth the wait. 

Poppies have large, colorful flowers and are drought-tolerant. Sow the seeds in early spring for late-spring flowers that continue all summer. Poppy seeds require cold stratification, so be sure to sow them several weeks before your last expected frost. 

Snapdragon

	botanical name Antirrhinum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height up to 3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Practically frost-proof, snapdragons love cool weather. You can plant these seeds in fall in mild climates and several weeks before the last expected frost in cooler ones. Fluffy confections of brightly colored flowers begin to bloom between two and three months after planting the seeds. This period may be longer in cold climates. If you direct sow, make sure the seeds aren’t planted too deeply because they need light to germinate. 

Snapdragons make excellent cut flowers. They have lush foliage that blushes slightly in cold weather. The flowers resemble tiny dragon faces that open their mouths when you squeeze the outer edges lightly. Be careful not to overwater these plants because they have shallow and delicate roots. These roots cannot absorb a great deal of water. 

Nasturtium

	botanical name Tropaeolum majus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-10 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

Nasturtiums grow excellently from seeds, and flower in about six weeks after germination. Planting too early in spring can slow down the bloom time, as these are not fond of very cold temperatures. The flowers come in warm colors and all parts of the plant are edible. The leaves and flowers have a peppery flavor.

You can grow these near your vegetable garden to be used as a trap crop. They attract certain harmful insects and lure them away from your other food crops. Their rounded foliage is brilliant green and compliments the red, yellow, or orange flowers. Some varieties produce variegated foliage and flowers. 

Larkspur

	botanical name Consolida regalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Larkspurs are tall and elegant and provide major color with their extra-long flower stems. A mass planting of larkspurs will create a wonderful backdrop for other, smaller annual plants. Sow your seeds a month before your last anticipated frost. Warm temperatures can slow down and can inhibit germination. 

You should see these begin to flower about three months after planting, and they will continue through early summer. Blooming will stop during the hottest months but can start again in fall when temperatures drop. Plant these in full sun and anticipate self-sowing, as larkspurs do this well. 

Bachelor’s Button

	botanical name Centaurea cyanus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

You will commonly see these bright annual flowers in cornflower blue. Some varieties produce pink flowers and white as well. I find that these plants are exceptionally easy to grow, and require almost no care after planting. They begin to bloom just six to eight weeks after germinating. The plants will produce more flowers if deadheaded regularly. 

In very hot climates, plant your Bachelor’s Button seeds in a space that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. In cooler climates, full sun is best. Too much shade will cause your plants to grow leggy and floppy, so make sure they get at least six hours of daily exposure. 

Linaria

	botanical name Linaria
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8”-36”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Linaria is a great annual addition to the garden. It produces lots of bright flowers that resemble tiny snapdragons. These flowers come in a wide array of different colors. The plants are small and delicate, with sprays of flowers that bloom from spring through summer, lighting up the flower bed. 

You can easily grow linaria in containers or the ground. Sow seeds as soon as the ground is workable in late winter or early spring. They take about 70 days from planting until they bloom and come in many colors. Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil in full to partial sun. 

Love-in-a-Mist

	botanical name Nigella damascena
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 15″-24″
	hardiness zones 2-11

Love-in-a-Mist adds not only bright annual color but a beautiful texture to the flower garden. The small, bright blue flowers are surrounded by delicate fernlike foliage. This stands in attractive contrast to many broad-leafed plants. It also practically grows itself. Mix these seeds into a wildflower mix and delight at how quickly they pop up.

No need to worry about soil pH with this plant, as it isn’t picky as long as the soil has good drainage. It readily re-seeds itself if the pods are left on the plant. With its fast growth rate, you could see flowers from spring until fall. 

Impatiens

	botanical name Impatiens walleriana
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6″-24″
	hardiness zones 10-11

If you have a spot that doesn’t get much sun, consider planting some beautiful impatiens. These plants work perfectly in dappled shade, like beneath a small tree or in the shadow of a shrubbier plant. They are surprisingly sturdy plants that bloom for an extended period, from late spring until the first frost. 

Look for impatiens in shades of red, pink, purple, peach, and white. Their bright green, ovate leaves serve as a dense backdrop for the bright, colorful flowers. These plants grow nicely in a container or the ground, in rich soil that holds moisture, as these are water-loving flowers. The more sun they receive, the more water they will need to stay perky. 

Calendula

	botanical name Calendula officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Once grown primarily for its medicinal usefulness, Calendula makes a very attractive, bright addition to the ornamental flower garden. It also has beautiful, edible flowers with petals that make a beautiful tea or addition to salads. The flowers come in warm shades of orange, yellow, and bronze. 

Calendula prefers full sun exposure and well-drained soil. It does need regular watering to flower its best. This is not the right plant if you’re building a drought-tolerant garden. Plant early in spring because this cool weather plant will slow down flower production during the heat of summer. But, it may flower again in fall as long as it is given enough water throughout the hot months. 

Morning Glory

	botanical name Ipomoea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8’-10’
	hardiness zones 2-11

For a colorful vine, consider planting morning glory. This plant has graceful vining stems and beautiful heart-shaped foliage. These characteristics make it wonderful for climbing any structure that needs a bit of decoration. The trumpet-shaped flowers come in a wide array of colors. They open in the morning, closing when the afternoon heat sets in. 

Morning glories do their best blooming in full sun, and they prefer moist soil to dry. The early morning flowers are a first morning food for butterflies and hummingbirds. If you prefer not to allow your morning glories to self-seed, deadhead them regularly. Otherwise, allow them to go to seed, and they will return next spring. 

Orlaya

	botanical name Orlaya grandiflora
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 18”-36”
	hardiness zones 2-11

With all of these beautifully colorful flowers, why not add some lacey white beauties to the mix? Orlaya is similar in appearance to Queen Anne’s Lace. The difference is that the flowers have a ring of larger petals on the outer edge. This creates a multi-dimensional appearance. The stems are long and strong, and the plant has a shrubby form that produces a mass of snow-white flower heads. 

Orlaya will grow in full sun, but it won’t mind sharing a partially shaded space with your Impatiens either. Plant these right after your last expected frost date. Then plant more every 2 weeks in succession for continuous blooming in summer.

Phlox

	botanical name Phlox drummondii
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6″-15″
	hardiness zones 2-11

This little Texas native is great if you want to add some fragrance to the flower garden. Phlox are frost tolerant. So, plant your seeds up to a month before your last expected frost to give them a head start. They may go dormant during the hottest months of the summer but are likely to return to bloom in fall. 

In mild climates, sow in fall for early spring flowers, and late winter in cooler climates. Phlox are fast growers and can flower in as little as six to seven weeks after sowing. They make a wonderful addition to the cutting garden, and pollinators will appreciate their appearance. Phlox grows in full sun or partial shade.

Flax

	botanical name Linum grandiflorum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6″-18″
	hardiness zones 2-11

Flax is best known for its use in making textiles, specifically, linen. It’s also a beautiful flowering plant for the garden, and easy to care for. This is a hardy plant that doesn’t mind hot, dry weather, and can tolerate full sun or partial shade. Flax self-seeds, so once it is in your garden, you’re likely to see it return for many years to come. 

Speaking of flax seeds, the seeds from certain varieties of this plant are edible. They are known to be rich in amino acids. Pollinators love the brightly colored flowers, and they are cold-tolerant.  These seeds can be planted a month before the last expected frost in cooler climates. In warm climates, fall sowing is best, and will bring early spring flowers. 

Bells of Ireland

	botanical name Moluccella laevis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Bells of Ireland is a uniquely beautiful annual flower with bright green calyxes that house small white flowers. These calyxes are bell or cup-shaped and face outward rather than turning downward. Stems make nice cut flowers, and they dry beautifully as well. 

If you’d like your bells of Ireland to self-seed, simply leave the flowers at the end of the season to go to seed. Plant seeds a month before your last expected frost, and they will germinate when the soil temperature reaches 50°F (10°C). 

California Bluebell

	botanical name Phacelia campanularia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8”-16”
	hardiness zones 5-10

The garden will be abuzz with both native and honey bees with California bluebells in the mix. This easy-growing, drought-tolerant plant produces cornflower blue blooms that are bell-shaped and upturned. They don’t mind cold weather and remain small, so they make a great border.

Plant your California bluebells in spring, summer, or fall depending on your climate. In cooler climates plant a few weeks before your last frost, and nearly year-round in mild climates. These work well in full sun or partial shade. 

Bluebonnet

	botanical name Lupinus texensis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6”-18”
	hardiness zones 4-8

This darling species of lupine is the state flower of Texas, to which it is native, among other neighboring states. In mild climates, plant your bluebonnets in fall for early spring blooms. In cooler climates, plant seeds as soon as the ground is workable. Scarify your seeds for enhanced germination. 

Tall flower stems are topped with clusters of blue flowers that almost have a glowing, ultraviolet quality. This makes them very popular with bees. Bluebonnets are drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor and disturbed soil. Slightly alkaline soil is best, but not as important as proper drainage. 

Petunia

	botanical name Petunia x atkinsiana
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 8”-15”
	hardiness zones 10-12

Petunias look great anywhere, but I find they work exceptionally well in hanging baskets. They also make a lovely combination fill/spiller in container gardens. They have a bit of a trailing habit. These bright, trumpet-shaped annual flowers are delicate and have a spicy, clove-like fragrance. 

Plant petunias in full sun, but give them plenty of moisture. Your petunias will let you know they are thirsty by wilting and drooping. These plants provide long-lasting garden color. Even though flowers are short-lived, plants produce a large quantity of blooms. 

Angelonia

	botanical name Angelonia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Angelonia is perennial in zones 9-11, but commonly grown as an annual elsewhere. It is a fast grower and blooms for a significant portion of the year. Nicknamed the summer snapdragon, the flower spikes resemble this garden favorite, but the individual blooms are smaller. They are heat and drought-tolerant, which snapdragons are not, so they make a nice alternative in summer. 

Sow your seeds two to three weeks after the threat of frost has passed in rich, well-draining soil. Keep the seedlings moist until they are established. A sunny space with good airflow is perfect for these plants. They don’t mind heat and humidity and don’t require deadheading for continuous summer blooming. 

Celosia

	botanical name Celosia argentea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 9″-18″
	hardiness zones 2-11

Another excellent plant for adding color and textural interest is celosia. These relatives of amaranth have velvety flowers that vary in structure from brain-like to flamelike. The flowers are unusual and add a really interesting flair to the garden, as well as cut floral arrangements. They also dry well. 

Celosia is frost tender, refrain from planting these until after the last expected frost. Plant them in full sun, and rich, moist soil. I find that celosia is a heavy feeder. If you plant these near other flowers, make sure to fertilize regularly to keep everything around it thriving. 

Geraniums

	botanical name Pelargonium
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Geraniums are sometimes grown as annuals, but some varieties will grow as perennials in zones 9-12. They prefer cooler weather, so growing these plants in very warm climates can be tricky. They are slightly frost tolerant and won’t die back until the temperature drops below freezing. However, in summer, they will go dormant once the temperature rises into the 80s (above 27°C).

These plants are great for growing in hanging pots or containers. This way, they can be moved to have some protection from the hot afternoon sun. This will prolong their bloom time and protect their foliage from scorch. Grow your geraniums in full sun and well-drained soil that is neutral or slightly alkaline. 

Tickseed

	botanical name Coreopsis tinctoria
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-4’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Tickseed is one of those plants that I rarely see without a pollinator or two hanging around. Their cheery flowers are nectar-rich and colorful, drawing the butterflies from neighboring yards right into your garden. They are somewhat frost-tolerant. In my experience, they can withstand freezing temperatures well, but they stop blooming when it gets cold. 

They grow well in full sun, but during the summer, some afternoon shade will keep them happiest. They are somewhat drought and heat-tolerant, but hot summer temperatures can cause them to drop their flowers. 

Pansy

	botanical name Viola x wittrockiana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4”-9”
	hardiness zones 6-10

I love the cold tolerance of pansies, which will grow throughout the winter in milder climates. Here in zone 8, they grow all winter as long as I bring them under cover if the temperature drops below 30°F (-1°C). These small, colorful flowers are wonderfully soft and fragrant, and they are edible as well. 

Pansies can survive the summer, but their blooming will decrease significantly. Give your pansies lots of water and make sure to deadhead, as this will make them produce more flowers. Some varieties have long stems and make very pretty cut flowers. 

Ranunculus

	botanical name Ranunculus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18”-24″
	hardiness zones 8-10

Ranunculus are picture-perfect flowers with intensely dense petals. The flowers bloom in a wide range of colors and color combinations. These are cool-weather plants. In warmer climates, they should go in the ground in fall to give them ample blooming time before the summer heat causes them to stop flowering. 

Plant them in full sun in cooler climates. In warm climates, afternoon shade is ideal to prolong the bloom time. They prefer rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Waterlogged Ranunculus corms rot easily, so you may need to amend your soil if it is clay-heavy.

Verbena

	botanical name Verbena
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6″-72″
	hardiness zones 4-11

There are different types of Verbena with various growth habits, from low-growing, trailing types, to very tall, stately plants with long, thin stems. All types are very popular with pollinators. Plant verbena in full sun, as this warm weather plant can tolerate eight to ten hours daily. 

These plants prefer slightly acidic soil that is well-drained but moist. Most varieties will bloom beginning in early summer and continuing through the fall. They will commonly self-seed. If this is not desirable, deadhead them to reduce self-seeding. 

Globe Amaranth

	botanical name Gomphrena globosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1′-2’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Globe amaranth is a frost-tender perennial that will survive the winters of Zone 9 and higher. In most of the country, these pretty little flowers are grown as an annual. The fun little globe-shaped flowers come in bright, warm shades like pink and red, and make great cut flowers, as they have a long vase life. 

The more often you cut your globe amaranth flowers, the denser the plant will grow. If you prefer a looser appearance, leave the flowers be. Pollinators love this plant and will visit the garden regularly. The flowers are particularly attractive to butterflies. 

Indian Blanket Flower

	botanical name Gaillardia pulchella
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 5-9

This is a favorite of mine for its incredible ease of growth and re-seeding ability. Indian blanket flower is a long bloomer. It produces brilliant red and yellow flowers throughout most of the summer and into the fall months. It colonizes easily, especially in warm climates, and forms a blanket of flowers, hence the name. 

Indian blanket flower grows well in poor and sandy soils. It is great for coastal gardens as it is salt tolerant, and it is very drought tolerant as well. The stems and leaves are slightly hairy, which protects them from intense sun exposure.