Incredibly eye-catching, nothing brings vibrant, long-lasting color to the flower beds better than annual flowers.
Unlike perennial plants that come back year after year, annual flowers burst into bloom and show off their stuff for one year only.
Loads of annuals are fast growing, putting on their foliage, masses of gorgeous blossoms, and even produce seeds, all in a singular year.
Annuals come in every imaginable shade, giving the flower garden a huge colorful boom with every bloom.
Abundant, long-lasting blossoms erupt in spring and last through the summer, often persisting through late fall.
With annual flowers, some like it hot and are drought tolerant, while others prefer shady and moist conditions.
Many annual flowers are frost hardy and can be grown from direct seeding outdoors in early spring.
However, some annual flowers can be frost tender and suffer damage or die in cold temperatures.
Annual flowers have so many uses in the garden!
- Basket Stuffers for Hanging Baskets, Planters, and Container Gardening
- Bedding Plants for Lasting Colorful Impact in Perennial and Shrub Borders
- Over Planting Spring-Flowering Bulb Gardens
- Companion Planting in the Vegetable Garden
- Attracting Birds, Bees, and Butterflies
- Cut Flower Gardens for Fresh and Dried Flower Bouquets and Crafts
- Delicious Fragrant and Edible Flower Gardens
30 Best Annual Flowers That Every Gardener Should Plant This Spring
1. Petunia (Petunia)
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Fertile Soil
Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy
Height: 6 to 24 Inches Tall and Up To 36 Inches Wide
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Mass Plantings, Groundcover, and Hanging Baskets
Planting Role: Filler and Spiller
Bloom Size: 3-to-4-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Purple, Violet, Lavender, Blue, Black
2. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)
Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade.
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Slightly Acidic Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 1 to 10 Feet Tall and Up To 3 Feet Wide
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Groundcover, Edible, Medicinal.
Planting Role: Filler and Spiller.
Bloom Size: 2-to-3-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink
3. Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Light Requirements: Full to Part Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Moist, Cool Soil
Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy
Height: 4 to 6 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Twining Vine, Border, Woodland Garden, Fragrant, and Flower Cutting Garden
Planting Role: Spiller and Thriller
Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Blossoms.
Bloom Colors: White, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Violet, Lavender, and Blue.
4. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Drought-Tolerant, Well-Draining Sandy Soil
Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy
Height: 6 to 12 Inches Tall and Wide
Uses: Bedding Plant, Xeriscaping, Dry Wildflower Garden
Planting Role: Filler
Bloom Size: 2-to-3-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink, and White
5. Marigold (Tagetes)
Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Fertile Soil
Frost Hardy: Tender to Semi-Frost Hardy
Height: From 6 Inches to 3 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Vegetable Garden Companion Plant.
Planting Role: Filler and Thriller
Bloom Size: 1-to-4-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Cream, Yellow, Orange, and Red
6. Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Light Requirements: Full to Part Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Neutral Soil and Drought Tolerant
Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy
Height: 4 to 10 Inches Tall, 10 to 48 Inches Wide
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Mass Planting, Xeriscaping, and Fragrant Gardens.
Planting Role: Filler and Spiller
Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Flower Clusters.
Bloom Colors: White, Pink, Purple, and Lavender
7. Lobelia (Lobelia)
Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist Rich Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 6 to 9 Inches Tall and Wide
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Flower Border, Ground Cover, Rock Gardens, Containers and Hanging Baskets
Planting Role: Filler and Spiller
Bloom Size: Masses 1/2-to-1-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: White, Mauve, Purple, Violet, and Blue
8. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Regular Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 10 to 12 Inches Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Mass Plantings, Herb, and Vegetable Gardens.
Planting Role: Filler
Bloom Size: 2-to-3-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, and Red
9. Cosmos (Cosmos)
Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Poor, Dry Soil
Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy
Height: 2 to 6 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Container, Xeriscaping, Wildflower Garden, and Butterfly Gardens
Planting Role: Thriller
Bloom Size: 3-to-5-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Rose, Pink, Violet, and Lavender
10. Zinnia (Zinnia)
Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 1 to 4 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Pollinator Garden, Mass Planting, Borders, and Cut Flower Gardens
Planting Role: Thriller
Bloom Size: 2-to-3-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, and Red
11. Sunflower (Helianthus)
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Moist, Neutral Soil
Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy
Height: 2 to 10 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Mass Planting, Cut Flowers, Edible Seeds
Planting Role: Thriller
Bloom Size: 4-to-20-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Yellow, Orange, and Red
12. Begonia (Begonia)
Light Requirements: Partial Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist, Rich Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 8 Inches to 3 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Baskets, Containers, Shade, and Rain Gardens.
Planting Role: Filler and Spiller
Bloom Size: 1-to-3-inch Single or Double Blossoms in Clusters.
Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Coral, Red, and Pink
13. Celosia (Celosia)
Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining, Nutrient-Rich Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 6 Inches to 3 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Mass Planting, and Edible Gardens.
Planting Role: Thriller
Bloom Size: Feather Plumes Up To 4 inches Tall
Bloom Colors: Hot Vibrant Shades of Yellow, Orange, Purple, White, Pink, Maroon, and Red
14. Geranium (Pelargonium)
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Light Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining, Loose, Rich Soil
Frost Hardy: Semi Hardy
Height: 6 Inches to 4 Feet Tall
Uses: Famous in Window Boxes, Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Baskets, Containers, Herb Garden, and Fragrance Garden
Planting Role: Filler, Spiller (Ivy Geraniums), Thriller
Bloom Size: 2-to-4-inch Terminal Flower Clusters.
Bloom Colors: White, Red, Rose, Pink, Purple, and Violet
15. Impatiens (Impatiens)
Light Requirements: Partial to Full Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist, Well-Draining, Rich Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 6 to 24 Inches Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Window Boxes, Containers, Rain Garden, and Shade Garden.
Planting Role: Filler and Thriller
Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Single and Double Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Vibrant Pastels in White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Coral, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, and Violet
16. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum)
Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining, Rich, Moist Soil
Frost Hardy: Semi Hardy
Height: 6 to 48 Inches Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Containers, Cut Flower Garden, Mass Plantings, Flower Border, Children’s Garden, Pollinator Garden.
Planting Role: Filler and Thriller
Bloom Size: Tall Flower Spikes with Whorls of 1-to-2-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Rich Saturated Shades of White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Purple, Violet, and Lavender
17. Million Bells (Calibrachoa)
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Drought, Heat Tolerant with Some Shade Protection.
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining, Moist, Organically Rich Soil
Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy
Height: 6 to 12 Inches Tall, 12 to 24 Inches Wide
Uses: Bedding Plant, Mass Planting, Rock Garden, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes, and Containers
Planting Role: Filler and Spiller
Bloom Size: Abundant 1-to-2-inch Five Fused Petaled Tubular Flowers Resemble Petunia Blossoms
Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Purple, Violet, Lavender, Blue, and Black
18. Vinca (Vinca)
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Sandy-Loam Soil
Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy
Height: 15 Inches Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Woodland Garden, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Basket, and Containers
Planting Role: Filler and Spiller
Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Single Blossoms
Bloom Colors: White, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Violet, Lavender, and Blue Some With Contrasting Centers.
19. Portulaca (Portulaca)
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Warm, Dry, Well-Draining Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 8 Inches Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Rock Garden, Borders, Basket Stuffer, Containers, and Window Boxes
Planting Role: Filler and Spiller
Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Single and Double Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Vibrant Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink, Purple, Violet, and Magenta
20. Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens)
Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist, Well-Draining Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 1 to 2 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Mass Planting, Edging and Border Planting, Basket Stuffer, Containers, and Pollinator Garden
Planting Role: Thriller
Bloom Size: 2-to-6-inch Flower Spikes
Bloom Colors: Famously Red and Scarlet, but Also Orange, Pink, Purple, and Blue
21. Stock (Matthiola incana)
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Rich, Well-Draining Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy
Height: 1 to 3 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Fragrant and Cut Flower Gardens, Basket Stuffer, Containers, and Window Boxes.
Planting Role: Thriller
Bloom Size: 1-to-3-inch Single or Double Fragrant Flower Clusters
Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Red, Rose, Pink, Purple, Violet, and Lavender
22. Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Light Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist, Well-Draining, Loose, Loamy, Fertile Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy
Height: 1 to 2 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Borders, Self-Seeding Garden, Cut and Fragrant Garden, Cottage Gardens, Basket Stuffer, Patio Containers, and Window Boxes.
Planting Role: Thriller
Bloom Size: Brightly Colored Frilly Flower Clusters are 3 to 4 Inches Wide.
Bloom Colors: Bicolor Combinations of White, Red, and Pink.
23. Nemesia (Nemesia)
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Sandy Fertile Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 8 Inches to 2 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Border, Rock Garden, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Basket, and Containers
Planting Role: Filler and Spiller
Bloom Size: Masses of 1-to-2-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Spotted, Striped, Bicolor in White, Orange, Red, Pink, and Blue
24. Pansy (Viola tricolor var. hortensis)
Light Requirements: Partial Shade or Dappled Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Rich, Moist, Well-Draining Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy
Height: 9 to 12 Inches Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Mass Planting, Shade Garden, Natural Garden, Basket Stuffer, Containers, and Hanging Baskets
Planting Role: Filler and Thriller
Bloom Size: 1-to-4-inch Sunny-Faced Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Bicolor and Solid White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Purple, Violet, Blue, and Black
25. Verbena (Verbena)
Light Requirements: Full Sun with Some Shelter
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Moist Fertile Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 12 Inches Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Ground Cover, Edging, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Baskets, Containers, Fragrant Gardens, Window Boxes
Planting Role: Spiller
Bloom Size: Dense 3-to-4-inch Fragrant Flower Clusters.
Bloom Colors: White, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Purple, Violet, Lavender, and Blue
26. Flowering Kale (Brassica oleracea)
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist, Rich, Well-Draining Soil
Frost Hardy: Very Frost Hardy
Height: 1 to 3 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Fall and Winter Gardens, Edible Gardens, Basket Stuffer, and Containers
Planting Role: Filler
Bloom Size: Rosette of leaves are flower-like and make large textural floral statement.
Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Rose, Pink, and Purple
27. African Daisy (Osteospermum)
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Heat and Drought Tolerant, Well-Draining, Acidic, Fertile Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Tender
Height: 1 to 3 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Borders, Edging, Mass Planting, Basket Stuffer, Containers, Window Boxes
Planting Role: Filler and Thriller
Bloom Size: 2-to-4-inch Daisy-Like Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Vivid Contrasting Radiating Colors of White, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Blue
28. Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Moist, Clay, Loam Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy
Height: 1 to 3 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Wildflower Garden, Cut Flower, and Dried Flower Arrangements
Planting Role: Filler
Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Mauve, Purple, Violet, Lavender, and Blue
29. Flax (Linum usitatissimum)
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Sandy, Average, Well-Draining Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy
Height: 1 to 3 Feet Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Meadows, Cottage Gardens, Natural Gardens, Pollinator Gardens
Planting Role: Filler
Bloom Size: 1-inch Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Blue
30. Poppy (Papaver)
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Average Garden Soil
Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy
Height: 9 to 18 Inches Tall
Uses: Bedding Plant, Naturalized Gardens, Cottage Gardens, Self-Seeding Gardens.
Planting Role: Filler and Thriller
Bloom Size: 2-to-4-inch Papery Blossoms
Bloom Colors: Saturated or Pastel Shades of White, Red, Rose, Coral, Pink, Mauve, Purple, Violet, Lavender
Annual flower gardening is arguably the most rewarding of all flower gardening. It is perfect for renters, container gardening, and anywhere you want to add splashes of seasonal color.
Enjoy!