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Thinking of planting some flowers this season in your garden, but aren’t sure what to pick? When planting any type of flowering plant, you typically have three options. Annual flowers, biennial flowers, and perennial flowers. All three flower types have different benefits.
If you’ve decided to plant annual flowers, it means you’ve decided to plant a type of flower that blooms for one year, and will need to be replaced the following season. This is great for gardeners that want some variety each growing season, or people who plant to cut their flowers and bring them indoors.
For a great flower garden full of different varieties, it’s great to have a mix of both annual and perennials. We’ve put together a list of over 80 of our favorite annual flowers that you can plant this season. Keep in mind, we have a few perennial flowers on this list, but it’s because they are grown as an annual flower in certain climates. Let’s take a look at our favorite annual flowers to add to your garden!
African Daisy
Scientific Name: Osteospermum
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: South Africa
- Plant Size: 1-3 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 9-10
An African daisy, also known as a cape daisy, thrives in warmer weather and loves plenty of sunlight. While the plants prefer sun, rich soil, and warm weather, they can be tolerant of cooler temperatures and drought.
They come in vibrant colors and have 70 different varieties. The petals are spoon-shaped, creating a unique aesthetic that makes them popular in botanical gardens. These flowers are perennial in their hardiness zones, but planted as annuals in colder climates.
African Foxglove
Scientific Name: Ceratotheca Triloba
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: South Africa
- Plant Size: 30 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Sun to partial sun
- Plant Zone: 8
The African foxglove is a stunning bloom that is easy to grow. The petals bloom into a soft lavender color and droop down like narrow bells. In some cases, the petals can take on a bright pink flower color, or even a soft orange.
The flowers also have subtle pinstripes on the inside, adding texture and uniqueness. If you love tall, delicate flowers, the African foxglove is a beautiful choice.
Angel Whiteface
Scientific Name: Angelonia Angustifolia
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina
- Plant Size: 2 feet tall, 1-1.5 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun, and shade
- Plant Zone: 10-11
The Angel Whiteface flower is a variety of Snapdragon hybrid planted annually. They have small, delicate petals that are white.
They are quite tolerant of indirect sun and shade. But when you let them flourish, they can grow quite bushy and substantial. The small flowers have the aroma of grape soda, adding a pleasant sensory element to your garden.
Annual Mallow
Scientific Name: Malva Trimestris
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mediterranean region
- Plant Size: 3-8 feet tall, 2 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, light shade
- Plant Zone: 4-8
Sometimes called rose mallow, this is not a variety of roses, as most roses are perennial flowers. These flowers only grow and bloom over about three months, but are well worth planting because of their radiance.
They are typically a bright pink with a darker red center with a mild ombre effect. The wide petals overlap one another, creating a spiral design. The wide shape draws you in because you can see the pistil and the softness of the petals.
Annual Phlox
Scientific Name: Phlox Drummondii
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 6-12 inches tall, 6-12 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Plant Zone: 2-11
There are many species of phlox, but this variety features tiny petals in clusters on a flower that has a subtle bush shape. Annual phlox are usually warm colors like pink, red, and orange, but can also be purple or dark blue.
These flowers need mildly rich soil and an average amount of water. They tend to thrive even with just a little bit of sun, so they can work well in the shadier parts of your garden.
Apple Blossoms
Scientific Name: Hippeastrum
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 8 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, light shade
- Plant Zone: 3-9
Also called amaryllis, these ethereal pink and white blossoms are very popular in the south of the US and are the state flower of Arkansas! These flowers are perennials in their native climates, but are often grown as annuals in warmer and more humid locations.
Many people love the shape of apple blossoms, which look like larger cherry blossoms. The flowers tend to bloom in a staggered pattern, so you always have freshly opened flowers as the others close up.
Balsam
Scientific Name: Impatiens Balsamina
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: India, Myanmar
- Plant Size: 6–30 in. tall, 6–12 in. wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
The balsam flower called the garden balsam or rose balsam looks like a rose. Unlike rose species, these must be planted every year. They take on the shape of a rose blossom, but are slightly thinner and face the ground.
The flowers go all along e stem, and they can be a solid color or a mix of two colors like pink and white or purple and white. They have pointy, thin leaves with jagged edges that give the plant a special look compared to standard roses.
Begonia Cracklin Rosie Flowers
Scientific Name: Begoniaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Brazil, Mexico
- Plant Size: 8 inches- 3 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Partial Sun, light shade
- Plant Zone: 2-10
Begonias are lovely, tiny flowers that are extremely resistant. They can survive a tough frost and withstand drought for a while. Begonias are tender perennials, which means depending on their environment, they are usually only alive for no more than two growing seasons.
The petals are a subtle cup shape that looks like mini tulips that droop toward the ground. These are excellent filler flowers to add a pop of color to your other plants. These plants are popular both indoors and outdoors.
Bells of Ireland
Scientific Name: Moluccella laevis
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Europe
- Plant Size: 1-3 feet tall, 12-18 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
The bells of Ireland are a unique annual flower because the petals are an enchanting shade of green. If your garden is overrun with colorful flowers and vibrant petals, the bells of Ireland can offer a simple aesthetic.
This flower has many cup-shaped, papery petals that run along the top of the stem in clusters. The bells of Ireland are perfect for offering smaller plants some shade from the sun to keep them healthy and thriving.
Blanket Flower
Scientific Name: Gaillardia
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: North and South America
- Plant Size: 12-18 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 3-9
Blanket flowers are one of the most distinctive flowers visually and are resilient to droughts, insects, diseases, and even grazing animals like deer. They are always bi-colored, usually with a darker shade of red or purple on the inside that fades out into a bright soft yellow.
These flowers are incredibly striking and vibrant, making them popular in gardens. They are at their brightest from early summer to mid-autumn, giving you a long time to enjoy their beauty. They are grown perennially in their normal hardiness zones, but are grown as annuals in hotter climates.
Blue Flax
Scientific Name: Linum lewisii
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 18-20 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 3-9
These tiny sky blue flowers are wonderful for gardeners that appreciate subtle, soft colors and prefer pastels over vibrant blossoms. The petals are soft and silky to the touch and are thin, so they look darker on cloudy days and lighter on sunny days.
These are also called the Lewis flax, named after its discoverer, Meriwether Lewis. They grow on very thin stems with small, round leaves. Blue flax is commonly grown as an annual, even though it can be considered a perennial in certain hardiness zones.
Blue Marguerite
Scientific Name: Felicia amelloides
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: South Africa
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 8-11
Blue marguerite, also known as the blue daisy, happy flower, or kingfisher flower, can be a perennial when they receive constant warmth and full sun. But when in more mild climates, they act as annual flowers and must be replanted yearly.
They have dainty oval petals that are slightly spaced out and are light blue, purple or a mix of the two colors. They have a bright yellow center for a gorgeous contrast. They may look like daisies but can grow much faster and higher.
Blue Floss
Scientific Name: Ageratum Houstonianum
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico
- Plant Size: 4-36 inches tall, 6-18 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Plant Zone: 10-11
Known for its unusual, pom-pom-shaped flowers, blue floss flowers are ideal for the gardener that covets unusual flowers. The petals are fuzzy protrusions on the rounded base of the flower, making them look very different from other plants.
These flowers can be tricky to take care of, as they need full sun, but not all the time, and require well-watered and well-drained soil to thrive. The blue, purple, red, white, or pink pom-poms grow in clusters and are surrounded by subtle green oval-shaped leaves that grow wildly.
Bush Violet
Scientific Name: Browallia americana
- Plant Type: Annual, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Latin America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Peru, and Brazil
- Plant Size: 12-16 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to full shade
- Plant Zone: 9-11
The bush violet is also known as the sapphire flower, amethyst flower, and the Jamaican forget-me-not. While it is an annual flower that must be re-planted, it can last an entire year, mostly in bloom.
This tropical flower has bright blue and purple petals with a soft yellow center. The flowers and leaves are small, so the plant takes on a bush-like shape with vibrant colors.
Butter Daisy
Scientific Name: Melampodium divaricatum
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico, North America
- Plant Size: 10-24 inches tall, 10-15 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 9-11
Butter daisies are yellow flowers that are resilient and low-maintenance. These look like daisies but are smaller and have vibrant yellow petals. Butter daisies have more petals than a standard daisy, and they are slightly narrower and pointed at the end. The center of the daisy is usually a deep orange or red, making this a fiery but sweet flower.
These heat-loving flowers are perennial in hotter climates. But they are most commonly grown as annuals in colder climates. Despite their resilience, they are not a fan of winter frost or colder weather.
Busy Lizzie
Scientific Name: Impatiens walleriana
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: East Africa
- Plant Size: 6-36 inches tall, 1-3 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade
- Plant Zone: 7-10
This popular variety of impatiens are stunning flowers with a silly name. They got their ‘busy’ name from the many flowers and colors grown on a single plant. They are commonly grown as container plants, and are typically classified as “tender perennials” that will not stand up to winter frost. They are grown as annuals in almost all locations.
They often come in red, white, or varieties of pink. These are popular in front yards because they create a lovely contrast against their darker green leaves. These flowers bloom for most of the year.
California Poppy
Scientific Name: Eschscholzia Californica
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 6-12 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 8-10
California poppies are happy and bright flowers popular on college campuses and other public places. Their blooms are a bright fiery orange color that will brighten your day. They are perennials in hotter zones, and are grown annually in cooler climates.
It’s also referred to as a golden poppy, California golden, and a cup of sunlight. All names perfectly encapsulate how stunning and warm the color is. California loves it so much that they made it their state flower!
Cardinal Flower
Scientific Name: Lobelia cardinalis
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 2-4 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 3-9
Like the bird it shares its name with, cardinal flowers are a firetruck red annual blossom. They are striking in their color and visible from far away. If you want a great mix of the rainbow in your garden or yard, it won’t be complete without this insane shade of red.
The shape of the flower is a circular blossom; the flower petals hang down in a cascading manner. They create a ship similar to the hands and head of a praying mantis, where some are upright while others hang down elegantly. Cardinal flowers are perennials by nature, but are considered annuals because they need specific growing conditions for them to reseed.
Carnation
Scientific Name: Dianthus Caryophyllus
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Greece, Italy, Spain
- Plant Size: 12-18 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Partial sun
- Plant Zone: 5-9
Everyone knows carnations as the uglier cousin to the rose, but not everyone is so harsh. Many garners love carnations for their robust blossom and variety of colors. Unlike roses, most carnations are annual, so you can try them out for a year and then move on.
It’s hard to come up with a color that you can’t grow a carnation in, maybe other than a green blossom. So ignore the bandwagon snubbing of carnations, because they are a more special flower than people may think.
Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose
Scientific Name: Rosa setigera
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: France
- Plant Size: 10-20 inches tall, 3-6 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 5-9
Many roses, as mentioned, are not annual bloomers, but instead, they return every year, making them perennials. Perennials are lovely but a hefty commitment to a flower. So if you want a rose that won’t necessarily come back every year, the Cecile Brunner climbing rose is a gorgeous option.
As the name suggests, these roses are perfect to plant along fences or unattractive walls because they will grow upward and climb the nearest surface. This variety of roses has slightly different petals that are fluffier and pointier but just as beautiful.
Chickabiddy
Scientific Name: Asarina
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Europe
- Plant Size: 6-16 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
- Plant Zone: 9-10
Chickabiddy flowers can be perennials but are grown as annuals in most gardens because they require a warm and consistent climate to be perennials. These flowers are very dainty and elegant and not a good filler flower as they are quite slender.
They grow tall and long on their stems, with one flower at the end of each. The flower is tubular with a dramatically flared edge that adds a magical look to the petals.
They are typically a pinkish-purple color that can add a lot of pizzaz to your garden, but plant them close enough to keep an eye on them because they can be a needy flower.
Chrysanthemum
Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: China
- Plant Size: 2-3 feet wide, 6-10 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Partial sun
- Plant Zone: 5-9
Chrysanthemums are a popular flower that you’ve probably heard of, as the name is a fun tongue-twister in itself. But these flowers are also stunning as they can be a solid color or bi-colored and have very dramatic petals.
Chrysanthemum petals are thin and long but give the illusion of a bushy blossom because there are many packed together. They can be a mix of yellow, red, orange, pink, or purple.
Chrysanthemums are also called mums but are usually referred to by their botanical name as it’s a lovely word.
co*ckscomb
Scientific Name: Celosia
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Africa, Asia, and North and South America
- Plant Size: 9-32 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 9-10
While the name isn’t the most elegant, it’s an accurate description. The co*ckscomb almost looks like a pinecone on a stem.
The image of this flower may sound strange, but they are so beautiful and unique because of their odd shape. And on top of that, they come in so many wonderful colors that will liven up your garden. These annual flowers can come in purple, but are more common in warm colors like orange, red, and yellow, as well as pink.
Coleus
Scientific Name: Coleus scutellarioides
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Southeast Asia
- Plant Size: 6-40 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade
- Plant Zone: 11
Coleus is one of the easiest plants to grow and care for. They are resistant to drought and overwatering and love the sun but can also thrive in the shade or partial sun. They are a tender perennial, which means they usually only last one or two seasons before needing to be replaced.
While technically not a blossoming flower, the colors and attractive shape of the lives make it easy to see why people love to use this as an exotic addition to their garden. Many varieties have small blue or white flowers that appear at the end of growing season.
The edges of the leaves on this herbaceous plant are lined with green, while the center of the leaves is usually pink, red, or purple. These are no filler plants, as they are very eye-catching and darling when placed near subtle flowers like snow cups or classic daisies.
Corn Poppy
Scientific Name: Papaver Rhoeas
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Europe, North Africa, Asia
- Plant Size: 2-4 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Zone: 3-9
The corn poppy is one of the most well-known flowers on this list, and you may remember them from the sleepy scene in The Wizard of Oz. Don’t worry, the real thing won’t put you to sleep, but they will make your garden even more stunning.
They are also referred to as the common poppy, corn poppy, corn rose, field poppy, Flanders poppy, or red poppy.
Their red flower color is noteworthy, as they are bright and enchanting when you see them in a field or cluster. The corn poppy is a favorite annual among gardeners because of its versatility in climates and immense beauty.
Cornflower
Scientific name:Centaurea cyanus
Plant Type: Annual
Geographic Origin: Europe
Plant Size: 1-3 feet
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Plant Zone: 2-11
Also known as the bachelor’s button, this blue flower is an annual flowering plant that’s native to Europe. As one of the few truly “blue” flowers, these beautiful blooms can add a surprising amount of color in a small package. They grow wild in certain parts of the United States.
Cornflowers are known for their hardy nature, and can withstand quite a bit of neglect. It blooms during most of the summer, and does best when planted in full sun conditions. It attracts hummingbirds, and butterflies. It’s drought tolerant and makes an excellent filler plant if you have space in your garden that needs filled.
Cosmos
Scientific Name: Cosmos
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico
- Plant Size: 3-5 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
The common name and botanical name for this flower are the same because it’s fun to say! But these are also fun and easy to plant, as they don’t require a ton of attention and usually flourish in a well-kept garden. Even if you aren’t familiar with the name, you are likely familiar with the flower.
It has a similar shape to a daisy, but the end of the petals are more square, and they are always a delicate but bright shade of purple. They have a yellow center and don’t grow to an incredible height, so they’re wonderful for a casual gardener or extremely refind garden aesthetic.
Crape Myrtle
Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: India, Asia, Australia
- Plant Size: 15-25 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 7-10
If you want a flower that looks straight out of a fairytale, you will love the crape myrtle flower. This flower can grow on massive trees or be planted as small bushes, but either way, they take up substantial space. So if you want a significant filler, crape myrtle is one of the most beautiful options.
This flower has long thin stems with many tiny pinks, yellow, red, or white flowers climbing up the side. Crape myrtles are mostly pink and can be the other colors mentioned, but they are always fluffy and big.
Creeping Zinnia
Scientific Name: Sanvitalia procumbens
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Central America
- Plant Size: 4-6 inches tall, 12-18 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
Zinnias are wildly different than creeping zinnias. Creeping zinnias are much smaller and lower to the ground. Their petals are often yellow but can be pink or purple. These flowers, unlike regular zinnias, are used as garden carpets because they grow so slowly but spread very well.
Creeping zinnias require no special attention or care. As long as you regularly water and weed your garden, they will thrive. As the name suggests, these flowers tend to spread and grow wherever they can, which isn’t ideal in every garden.
Cup Flower
Scientific Name: Silphium perfoliatum
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Canada
- Plant Size: 3-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 4-8
Cup flowers, also known as the Indian cup, is a delicate flower that is technically a perennial but comes back so rarely it is often considered an annual. The slender yellow petals cluster together at the head of a stem, about 30 petals are on each stem.
While they may not return yearly as a perennial should, they are excellent at reproducing. When you plant them, expect the spread to be much wider than where you sowed the seeds. They love wet soil but are resilient plants that will thrive in many conditions.
Cypress Vine
Scientific Name: Ipomoea quamocl*t
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Central America, South America
- Plant Size: 6-12 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 6-11
The cypress vine plant is very peculiar and has a festive, holiday vibe that differs from most annual flowers. These tiny star-shaped blossoms can be red, yellow, white, or pink.
The cypress climbing vine goes by a few other names such as cypress vine morning glory, cardinal creeper, cardinal vine, star glory, star of Bethlehem, or the hummingbird vine. Pollinators do love to flock to these flowers because the pollen is easily accessible.
Dahlberg Daisy
Scientific Name: Thymophylla Tenuiloba
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico
- Plant Size: 6-8 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 5-11
The Dahlberg daisy goes by many other names, including bristleleaf, pricklyleaf, small bristleleaf, golden fleece, and shooting star. While this isn’t the most exciting blossom on the list, it is an easy annual to care for and great for a beginner gardener.
They are small and yellow and have the same shape as daisies, with a golden or dark orange center.
Dahlias
Scientific Name: Dahlia pinnata
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico, South America
- Plant Size: 4-5 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 8-12
Dahlias are hands-down one of the most intricate and incredible flowers found in nature. They come in a wide array of colors, such as yellow, orange, pink, purple, and red. They have a very geometric appearance that almost looks too perfect to be in nature, but they are!
Dahlias are tropical flowers with an exotic vibe that make many gardens unique. The cone-shaped cylinder petals topple on one another to create a distinct layering effect that is a staple of the dahlia flower. Dahlias grow well in their tropical climates, but are treated as annuals in cooler hardiness zones.
Dreadlocks
Scientific Name: Amaranthus caudatus
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico
- Plant Size: 3-8 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 1-10
This is not about the hairdo, but this flower does get its name from the classic dreadlock look. The flower is typically a deep purple with undertones of pink, but the color is not what makes it stand out. The dramatic draping of the petals creates blossoms that look like grapes hanging on the vine.
If you have a garden you want to transform into an herbal wonderland, make sure you put this on your list as a must. While these won’t come back every year, they are so memorable that you’ll make them a priority when laying out your garden.
Everlasting Flower
Scientific Name: Helichrysum Bracteatum
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Australia
- Plant Size: 1-5 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 2-10
Everlasting flowers have a unique blossom that gardeners love to incorporate into their plants. Despite the name, these flowers do not usually return year after year unless in warm and sunny climates. When planted in most locations in the U.S. or UK, they will not rebloom every year.
The flower has a rounded blossom that almost looks like a bulb. It usually comes in orange, pink, red, and purple. They have sharp and short petals that create a dramatic effect when layered on one another.
Fan Flower
Scientific Name: Scaevola Taccada
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Indian Ocean, China, Pacific Islands
- Plant Size: 6-14 inches tall and 1-2 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 8-12
The fan flower is a unique and elegant blossom that will catch the attention of your guests. As the name suggests, the flower’s petals fan out in a semicircle with small spaces between each petal. They look exactly like a hand fan, creating a beautiful aesthetic.
The flowers are soft pink and have darker pink accents on the petals for a stunning appearance. Some varieties can be white or blue, but pink is the most common.
Fennel
Scientific Name: Foeniculum vulgare
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mediterranean shores
- Plant Size: 3-5 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 4-9
Yes, fennel is a flowering plant! You probably did not know that this sweet and aromatic spice can be a pretty plant in your garden too. For those of you that don’t use it, fennel has unique licorice or anise taste that works well in hearty, comforting meals.
Growing it is simple, and it is a resilient plant. It has small yellow flowers and wispy green leaves that look very fresh and soft to the eye. Large bulbs grow out of the ground, filling in the lower parts of your garden and adding more green to the floor. Fennel is perennial in its proper hardiness zones, but is commonly grown as an annual flower.
Flowering Tobacco Plant
Scientific Name: Nicotiana
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Caribbean
- Plant Size: 3-5 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Plant Zone: 7-10
Most people wouldn’t expect tobacco plants to be beautiful, but they can be quite lovely! The large red flowers have a unique elegance about them. And even if you don’t like tobacco, flowering tobacco plants have an earthy but sweet aroma that most enjoy.
The bright red, and sometimes red or orange, blossoms are shaped very distinctly like stars! So they add a beautiful and artistic aura to your garden. Caring for them is relatively easy as long as they get plenty of sunlight, and the flowers will blossom for a decent amount of time.
Forget-me-not
Scientific Name: Myosotis
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Eurasia, North America
- Plant Size: 6-12 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Forget-me-nots are a popular flower that is usually a pastel blue color. In some places, they are known as scorpion grass. The blossoms grow with five petals, always, and are about the size of a quarter, if not smaller.
Forget-me-nots can grow up to a foot tall but usually stay very low to the ground as they are not incredibly hungry for sunlight. Due to their short stature, they’re excellent to use as ground cover and filler in between more prominent plants. Both of the primary species of forget-me-not flowers are typically grown as annual flowers, despite being short-lived perennials.
Four O’Clock
Scientific Name: Mirabilis Jalapa
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Peru
- Plant Size: 2-3 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 7-10
A four o-clock flower is a simple and small tubular blossom that is an excellent accent to add several colors to your garden. These flowers are usually red or pink and bloom in bushy clusters.
These are tropical flowers that do not do well with chill or frost, so they must be warm to survive. This is also why they are considered annual flowers in many climates. When the flowers open, they have wide edges that move down into a skinny stem that grows to hip or belly button height.
Fuchsia
Scientific Name: Fuchsia magellanica
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: South America
- Plant Size: 4-10 feet tall, 3-6 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 6-7
Fuschia flowers are bright pink and purple flowers that droop down on their stem for a magical hanging aesthetic. The blossoms face the ground, making them very attractive to hummingbirds that can swoop up from underneath.
They also have long styles that stick out from their center, usually a purple color that matches some of the petals. Fuchsia is considered perennial in the limited hardiness zones it’s native to, but is typically grown as an annual flower.
Garden Stock
Scientific Name: Matthiola incana
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Asia, South Africa
- Plant Size: 12-36 inches tall, 18 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade
- Plant Zone: 7-10
Garden stock is an extremely plump variety of annual flowers. The leaves, petals, and stems are all thick and large, creating a very crowded look in your garden. If you want a flower that will take up space and add some color, consider garden stock.
They usually come in pink, white, purple, or red. They grow a bit tall, so they are also excellent for shading your more sensitive plants.
Geranium
Scientific Name: Pelargonium
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: South Africa
- Plant Size: 4-48 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 10-11
Geraniums grow in clusters on a bush, much like hydrangeas. They often take on a white or red color, as well as a combination of the two. The bushes are circular and full of large leaves, and the blossoms stick out just above the bush.
These blossoms bloom in late spring and summer, but can also last through fall as they can withstand colder temperatures.
Gerbera Daisy
Scientific Name: Gerbera jamesonii
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: South Eastern Africa
- Plant Size: 24 inches tall, 18 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 8-11
Gerbera daisies are a common daisy variety in parks and other public spaces because they are eye-catching but easy to care for. They come in warm, happy colors from purple to red to orange and have thick petals that overlap one another.
They also have a sturdy, strong stem to hold up the thick blossom. While they are called a type of daisies, they are much, much larger than daisies but have the same classy and simple aesthetic.
Globe Amaranth
Scientific Name: Gomphrena Globosa
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Central America
- Plant Size: 12-24 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 9-11
Globe amaranth is a very unusual flower, as the petals are tiny spikes and the style and stigma are wide around, giving the appearance of a globe. They are typically a deep shade of purple that can add some variety to a garden with lots of bright colors.
These flowers grow low to the ground, so they’re perfect for garden filler or to use to line a walking path.
Godetia
Scientific Name: Clarkia Amoena
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 48-56 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Plant Zone: 3-10
The Godetia is a dramatic flower with a tropical appearance, with wide and outstretching petals, but they can handle some cold weather. Sometimes called the satin flower, godetias are known for their silky texture on the petals and leaves.
Godetias are typically pink or purple with white accents around the petals. These accents create a stunning depth, and the flowers have the same elegance of a rose but with a larger blossom.
Golden Corydalis
Scientific Name: Corydalis Aurea
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 4-20 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: North America
- Plant Zone: 5-9
Golden corydalis is a very sturdy and resilient plant. They can handle heatwaves, droughts, and frost, so they’re excellent for a tough, ever-changing climate.
They have thin, tubular petals hanging in rows off the stem. They usually bloom in a pale yellow color, and the color can vary, depending on how much shade they live under.
Green Pearls
Scientific Name: Curio rowleyanus
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Africa
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 9-12
Green pearls are a vine rather than a flower, but they have such a fascinating look you’ll likely want them in your garden. They are strings of tiny green spheres that grow like a vine. They have a gorgeous appearance that is wonderful in a garden or hanging on a porch.
If you feel like your garden needs a bit more green, it’s hard to go wrong with a string of pearls plant. These plants prefer warmer climates, so consider that when planting them for the season.
Jewelweed
Scientific Name: Impatiens capensis
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 3-5 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Partial sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
Jewelweed is a variety of impatiens with very coarse petals and unusual textures. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies love the sweet nectar that jewelweeds have. If you want a garden buzzing with wildlife, jewelweed is a must.
These plants are subtle in their color, as each plant only has one to three blossoms with many leaves underneath. The petals are typically long and tubular and have an orange and reddish color.
Joan Lorraine
Scientific Name: Asarina Scandens
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico
- Plant Size: 8-10 inches tall, 5 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
- Plant Zone: 9-10
For a substantial plant, you should opt for a Joan Lorraine. These plants are large bushes that are more vertical than horizontal. They’re great for the corner of your garden that needs some color or to surround plants that want some shade during the day.
Technically, this is a vine and can grow up against a wall or pole, but will also flourish without a surface to climb. These are unusual plants that you won’t find in too many gardens. So if you want something different than the norm, Joan Lorraines are a beautiful choice.
Lisianthus
Scientific Name: Eustoma
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: North and South America, the Caribbean
- Plant Size: 1-3 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 8-10
Lisianthus, also referred to as prairie gentian, is a lovely flower comparable to a rose or ranunculus. They have a similar bowl shape with overlapping petals spiraling toward the center of the blossom.
They usually look as if they have watercolors, with the edges being more colorful as they fade to a lighter color in the center. These are one of the most popular flowers for wedding arrangements, so if you love fresh cut flowers in your home, these are stunning.
Love in a Mist
Scientific Name: Nigella Damascena
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Europe, Africa
- Plant Size: 8-20 inches tall, 3-6 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
Love in a mist is a rare annual flower that is very special to have in your garden. Like pincushion flowers, they have a long style and lengthy filaments that create a wispy and enchanting appearance.
The style and stigma of the plant are green and wide, making it perfectly visible when you look at the flower. These flowers grow on the neglected ground where nothing else can thrive, so they are certainly resilient plants and easy to grow.
Love Lies Bleeding
Scientific Name: Amaranthus caudatus
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin:
- Plant Size: 3-8 feet high
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
Love lies bleeding may sound a bit ominous, but these are some of the majestic and whimsical flowers you can plant. Other names for this plant include pendant amaranth, tassel flower, velvet flower, foxtail amaranth, and quilete. These unique flowers are typically cultivated as annual plants.
This flower can come in white and green, but most commonly are red, which is how they got their bleeding name. They have long ropes of tiny blossoms that look like they’re spilling out of the plant, creating an insanely captivating effect in your garden.
Marigold
Scientific Name: Tagetes
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico, Guatemala
- Plant Size: 6-12 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
Marigolds can be either annual or perennial and are one of the most popular flowers a gardener plants. They look like large fluffy pom-poms about the size of a golf ball. The petals are ruffled with red accents, making them almost look like a tiny flame!
Marigolds are often compared to carnations, but they have a much more intricate color scheme, with different shades of warm colors, but always their signature orange. The most important aspect of caring for marigolds is making sure they have plenty of sunlight.
Mexican Sunflower
Scientific Name: Tithonia
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico
- Plant Size: 4-6 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
The Mexican sunflower is not the typical sunflower that you are probably picturing in your head. Instead of the massive yellow blossom with many, many petals, Mexican sunflowers are usually red and yellow and are much more subtle and delicate than typical sunflowers.
The petals are oval-shaped but have small spaces between them, unlike on a typical sunflower. These sunflowers also have a bright yellow center rather than the black and brown center most people expect.
Million Bells
Scientific Name: Calibrachoa
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: South America
- Plant Size: 6-12 inches tall, 12-24 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Plant Zone: 9-11
Calibrachoa is a perennial flower, that’s often grown as an annual flower because their blooming period is so short-lived. They are also known as trailing petunia or mini petunia but aren’t technically in the same family as petunias.
A million bells get their name from the plethora of flowers that blossom off the stems. They create a soft bush of petals that seem endless like there are a million flowers! These are wonderful as hanging plants to admire for a season or you can plant them in the more bare areas of your garden that you want to breathe life into.
Morning Glory
Scientific Name: Ipomoea
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico
- Plant Size: 6-10 feet tall, 3-6 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
Morning glories are a beloved flower because they have the unique distinction of opening every morning and closing around midday. They are most commonly a bright sky blue but they can also be a light pink or a very deep purple.
The flowers are trumpet-shaped and work well as a hanging or climbing plant with the right surface. They have adorable heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped petals. Morning glories got their name because of the fresh bloom that occurs in the early hours of the morning. Many gardeners choose to treat morning glories as annuals because they grow rapidly, and can take over a garden space without some care.
Moss Rose
Scientific Name: Portulaca Grandiflora
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay
- Plant Size: 3-9 inches tall, 6-12 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
Moss rose is one of the best ground covers for your garden. This plant does not grow very high, so it’s excellent for carpeting your garden. The small green leaves spread out wide while the tiny flowers grow on top for a colorful addition to your garden.
The petals can be pink, red, orange, yellow, white, red, pink, or purple, and will grow in a variety of colors on one plant. Moss rose is commonly called eleven o’clock, Mexican rose, moss rose, the sun rose, rock rose, and moss-rose purslane. The moss rose is highly susceptible to frost, so they are typically considered annual flowers.
Nasturtium
Scientific Name: Tropaeolum
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico, Central America, and South America
- Plant Size: 1-10 feet tall, 1-3 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
These flowers are usually orange and red colors with large blossoms with a tropical vibe. There are both annual and perennial varieties of this flower, but annuals are more common.
They have wide round petals that gently overlap one another for a full blossom. These are one of the easiest flowers to grow because they enjoy sun, shade, water, dry soil, and everything in between. The flowers are bold and vivid, and the soft green leaves are safe for animals to eat.
New Guinea Impatiens
Scientific Name: Impatiens Hawkeri
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: New Guinea
- Plant Size: 12-18 inches tall,
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 10-12
New Guinea impatiens come from the impatiens family but are more tolerant of imperfect conditions. Typical impatiens love the shade, so if you have a sunny yard but love the looks of the vibrant flowers, try the New Guinea variety.
New Guinea impatiens only grow in deep pink, whereas standard impatiens come in a wide range of colors. However, they can grow as purple, yellow, or orange in certain climates. As other varieties of impatiens, these flowers do not tolerate frost well and are typically planted as annuals instead of perennials.
Pansy
Scientific Name: Viola × Wittrockiana
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Europe and Asia
- Plant Size: 6-9 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 4-11
Pansies are one of the most interesting annual flowers because they typically combine three or more colors are on their petals, making for striking contrasts. Pansies are a hybrid of a few other flower varieties but have become immensely popular in home gardens, parks, and other green spaces.
They usually have petals shaped similarly to a four-leaf clover, with a dark center and a lighter edge. The center often has a line of another color like yellow on brown, creating a cool design. As indicated by the plant zone, pansies are hardy plants that can weather minor frost and droughts. They are still treated as annuals in most climates.
Paper Daisy
Scientific Name: Helipterum or Rhodanthe
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Australia
- Plant Size: 16-24 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 8-10
Paper daisies are small, bushy flowers, also called everlasting daisy, Australian everlasting, pink daisy, sunray, or immortelle. They are typically white or pink with yellow centers, like how most people picture daisies. However, they have many, many petals on each blossom that overlap, creating a bushier flower than a typical daisy.
These are stunning but simple flowers that won’t be a show-stopper in your garden but will add a quaint touch that gardeners with subtle tastes will appreciate. Paper Daisy is perennial in few hardiness zones, and is grown as an annual flower in colder climates.
Petunia
Scientific Name: Petunia
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 6-18 inches
- Sun Exposure: Partial sun to full shade
- Plant Zone: 10-11
People love petunias for their trumpet-shaped blossoms that add an edge of drama to your garden. The blossoms have a small base attached to the stem with one solid petal that gently widens and flairs out as it grows upward.
While petunias can tolerate a lot, they need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day to grow well. Because of this, they are often placed along pathways or front yards that receive plenty of sunlight and need a touch of color.
Periwinkle
Scientific Name: Catharanthus roseus
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Madagascar
- Plant Size: 1 inch tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
- Plant Zone: 11-12
Periwinkle flowers are usually periwinkle but can also be white or a light pink or purple. A unique aspect of this plant is the shape and layout of the petals. They have a square end, and the petals seem to lean toward one another in a windmill, spiral design.
Their leaves are glossy, adding a new shiny texture to your garden. Each plant has a handful of blossoms that stand out against the dark green leaves.
Pigweed
Scientific Name: Amaranthus Hypochondriacus
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico
- Plant Size: 6 feet high, 2 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 5-9
The name may not sound very elegant, but pigweed flowers are dramatic and large plants, wonderful for the back of your garden. They grow to be pretty tall so they can tower over smaller flowers and even offer shade for plants that don’t thrive in constant, full sunlight.
When the plant first blooms, the blossoms will be a soft cream color that eventually changes into a deep pinkish-red color. The color change is exciting to watch as they go from cream to pink to Fuschia to an attractive cherry red.
Pincushion Flower
Scientific Name: Scabiosa
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Africa, the Mediterranean
- Plant Size: 12-18 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 3-7
Pincushion flowers are medium-sized blossoms that look like, yes, pincushions. They have wide, outstretched petals that are covered with long filaments that add a whimsical look to the flower. The flowers are also called sweet scabious, mourning bride, or garden scabious.
These flowers love a lot of sunlight and are flexible when it comes to their soil and water levels. They can go a while without water and still flourish as long as they get plenty of sunlight during the day. These flowers are most commonly purple, but they can also be white, blue, red, pink, or yellow! They don’t tolerate heat well, which is why they are treated as annuals in warmer climates.
Pineapple Sage
Scientific Name: Salvia elegans
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico, Guatemala
- Plant Size: 5 feet tall, 3 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 8-11
Herbs are flowers too! If you want to grow a pretty plant that will add some flavor to your dinner dishes, consider pineapple sage. This herb flowers into bright red blossoms that droop down for a skinny plant with a very dramatic look. They have a similar look to morning glories with their tubular, dropping shape. But the red will spice up the rainbow in your garden, breaking away from more common colors like white and yellow.
Pineapple sage does best in warmer climates, and is treated as an annual where it’s colder. They don’t tolerate frost well and typically are required to be replanted each season. They do best in full sun, regardless of the climate they are in.
Pinks
Scientific Name: Dianthus
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Europe and Asia
- Plant Size: 6-18 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 4-8
These cute little flowers often referred to as ‘pinks’, are part of the carnation family, but feature a more unique color pattern on their petals. Pinks look like mini carnations with ruffled petals that are densely packed together.
As the name suggests, these are usually bright, Barbie pink that will liven up any garden. They have very thin, narrow leaves but they have plenty of them to offer a green carpet underneath them. Pinks are pretty easy to take care of and enjoy a reasonable amount of water and sun.
Ranunculus Bulbs
Scientific Name: Ranunculus eschscholtzii
- Plant Type: Annual, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Asia
- Plant Size: 8-18 inches tall, 6-12 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 8-10
The ranunculus brings a unique flair to your garden. The blossoms are similar to a rose but the petals are completely different. They look like an over-packed rose that grew too many petals.
They come in a variety of colors like pink, orange, purple, yellow, white, or a combination of these colors. Consider ranunculus bulbs If you want elegant and stunning flowers that won’t spread much.
Red Chickweed
Scientific Name: Anagallis arvensis
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Europe
- Plant Size: 2-12 inches long
- Sun Exposure: Partial to full
- Plant Zone: 5-11
Red chickweed goes by many different names, including scarlet pimpernel, red pimpernel, poor man’s barometer, poor man’s weather-glass, shepherd’s weather glass, and shepherd’s clock. The flowers are pretty small with rounded petals, and only have about five or six petals on each blossom.
They are usually orange or red, but they can also be blue or purple in the right climates. The petals lay flat, almost parallel with the ground for a very open blossom. These blossoms are very inviting to pollinators and will draw in lots of fun creatures to buzz around your garden.
Rocket Larkspur
Scientific Name: Delphinium consolida
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Europe
- Plant Size: 1-3 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Partial to full
- Plant Zone: 1-10
Rocket larkspur are tall flowers that fill out your garden. They come in a range of colors like pink, purple, blue, and white. The blossoms look similar to a lilac bush, but they have green stems that grow a handful of blossoms.
These flowers are a favorite of gardeners because they grow quickly and bloom for a long time. The blossoms look like soft spikes that point upward. These annual flowers are excellent for attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Snapdragon
Scientific Name: Antirrhinum
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Spain, Italy
- Plant Size: 1-4 feet wide, 6-12 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Partial sun
- Plant Zone: 7-11
Snapdragons are popular in gardens because they don’t take up significant space. They have pairs of petals that group together at the top which can be yellow, red, purple, orange, pink, or mixes of these colors.
While snapdragons are resistant to pests and disease, they do attract lovely pollinators that will keep your garden lively and healthy. The stems are covered with long, narrow leaves that create a bushy appearance. The top of these flowers is very elegant. These flowers are short lived perennials, and are commonly treated as annuals in colder locations.
Snow Cups
Scientific Name: Anoda Cristata Alba
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Mexico
- Plant Size: 1-2 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 4-7
Snow cups are an ethereal flower that’s ideal if you’re looking for something simple but stunning. Both the petals and the inside of the flower are white. The petals have a silky feel and bees and butterflies flock to them.
Snow cups tend to sow their seeds naturally under ideal conditions. So even if you don’t replant them, you may see some pop up next year.
Spider Flower
Scientific Name: Cleome hassleriana
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: South America
- Plant Size: 1-3 feet wide, 3-8 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
Spider flowers are one of the most unique annual flowers that you can plant. They have long, loose, and flowy petals that seem to fall away from one another, creating a large and interesting aesthetic. The buds grow upward toward the sky and then fall over as they bloom, facing the ground.
In addition to the main stem that holds the buds, there are more unbranched steps projecting away from the base of the flower and curling back down. And at the base of every flower are dramatically long stipules. The stipules and branchless stems give the plant an eerie yet beautiful spider-like shape.
Summerbreeze
Scientific Name: Agastache
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 2-3 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 4-10
Summerbreeze flowers are an annual hybrid of orchid pink flowers and aromatic gray-green foliage. The result of this natural hybrid is a stunning flower that comes in a wide range of colors. People are attracted to their delicate shape and range of colors.
These tall-growing flowers, sometimes called giant hyssops, come in red, orange, pink, yellow, and white, and are known to attract butterflies and bees. The flowers run up and down the tall stem, with flowers that create a cascading effect.
Sunflower
Scientific Name: Helianthus Annuus
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 5-10 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 4-9
Sunflowers are a widely known and beloved annual flower that every gardener should try in their garden at least once. As the name suggests, these flowers need a lot of sunlight, as well as a lot of water.
They have fat yellow petals that overlap one another around the giant black and brown center. The sunflower can come in perennial varieties, but many are also annuals. Sunflowers are easy to grow, and make a family favorite for novice gardeners and kids.
Swan River Daisy
Scientific Name: Brachyscome Iberidifolia
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Australia
- Plant Size: 12-18 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 9-11
Swan river daisies are usually annual, but under the right conditions, they can be a perennial flower too! These daisies have radiant purple petals that you can see from a mile away.
The many spoon-shaped petals are extremely delicate, creating a thin but eye-catching flower. In addition to their beautiful appearance, the daisies also have a sweet and calming smell that will foster a serene vibe in your garden or yard.
Swedish Ivy
Scientific Name: Plectranthus verticillatus
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Western Australia
- Plant Size: 1-3 feet wide, 12-18 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Indirect sunlight, light shade
- Plant Zone: 10-11
It’s hard not to love ivy as it creates a classy and warm aesthetic in any yard or garden. Swedish ivy is special because they have glossy green leaves with delicate scalloped edges. They also have a variety of sized leaves for a bushy and brilliant presence.
While ivy is not technically a flower, many gardeners love to incorporate them into their garden because they fill out the green and add a new texture. While Swedish ivy is an annual herbaceous plant, you may seem trailing along the next year even if you don’t replant them.
Sweet Alyssum
Scientific Name: Lobularia Maritima
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Europe
- Plant Size: 2-12 inches tall, 8-12 inches wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
Sweet alyssums are one of the tiniest and best-smelling flowers on this list, and many people’s favorite annual to plant. The petals are tiny, less than an inch tall, and are shaped like little cups. They are a cool-season flower, so they’ll bloom in both the early spring and the late fall!
These flowers stay very low to the ground, creating a charming floral carpet in your garden. This is ideal for shady spots or underneath climbing plants that leave the ground too bare. The alyssums usually come in a bright purple or soft white, adding even more color to your garden.
Sweet Pea
Scientific Name: Lathyrus Odoratus
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Italy
- Plant Size: 6-8 feet tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 2-11
Sweet peas are flowering plant that climbs walls and fences for a magical look in your garden. These lovely little flowers have bright colors and soft petals. The flowers cluster on their vine in groups of five to eight and come in red, pink, blue, white, and lavender.
These flowers can climb as high as eight feet, so they’re perfect for arches, walls, or fences that are in your garden. Rather than having these locations be bare, you can take advantage of them with climbing plants like this one!
Sweet William
Scientific Name: Dianthus barbatus
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Europe, Asia
- Plant Size: 12-24 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 3-9
The name sweet william is pretty adorable, and so are these flowers. They are small and fuzzy blossoms that cluster together on long stems. They come in a range of colors or can be bi-colored for a happy and bright look.
Their petals look like bowtie pasta, with frills at the end that give them their fluffy appearance. As enjoyable as these flowers are, some gardeners avoid them because they often take a full year to grow and bloom.
Tuberous Begonia
Scientific Name: Begonia tuberhybrida
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: Brazil, China
- Plant Size: 12-18 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Partial sun
- Plant Zone: 9-10
Another kind of begonia popular in gardens and parks is the tuberous begonia. Unlike the cracklin begonia, the tuberous ones are much larger with prominent petals and dazzling colors. The petals have a subtle ombre that makes them look like watercolors and soft, wide petals that create a mesmerizing effect.
The flowers can come in almost any color from red to blue to white to pink! These are most often grown towards the front of your yard and garden because they are the perfect flower to show off to guests.
Tulips
Scientific Name:Tulipa
- Plant Type: Annual, Perennial
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Height: 4-36″ Width: 6″
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, Partial shade
- Plant Zone: 3 to 7
Tulips are the favorite flower of many gardeners. Their beautiful blooms come in many different colors. These hardy plants can be planted in spring, and they will bloom all summer long. They are considered perennials in limited hardiness zones, but are typically treated as annuals by most gardeners.
Tulips have many different varieties and work well as companions to many different types of plants. They can live in full shade to full sun, depending on your location. Afternoon shade is typically best for a longer-lived Tulip.
Vinca
Scientific Name: Catharanthus roseus
Plant Type: Annual
Geographic Origin: Europe, Africa, Asia
Plant Size: 12-18 inches tall
Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full sun
Plant Zone: 9-11
Annual vinca is one of the more popular plants you’ll see at local nurseries and bigger chain stores when the spring season starts to hit. It can tolerate partial shade, but prefers sunnier conditions. This flower comes in many different colors, with the most common being white, purple, and pink.
This low-growing annual is great for garden edges and borders. They also make great container companions if you plan on planting an annual combination in pots to hang around your home or garden space.
Vervain
Scientific Name: Verbena Officinalis
- Plant Type: Perennial, Annual
- Geographic Origin: Europe
- Plant Size: 3-4 feet tall, 2-4 feet wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 4-8
Vervain is a tall plant that grows in clusters at the end of the stem. There are small flowers with even smaller petals that all group together at the top of a stem. It has the appearance of water in a fountain.
These wildflowers are easy to take care of and will put up with a lot of abuse. So if you are just starting your garden, these little purple flowers may be your best bet for a successful garden.
Wishbone Flower
Scientific Name: Torenia Fournieri
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 6-12 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade
- Plant Zone: 2-11
The wishbone flower is a sturdy little blossom that withstands a wide range of temperatures and water levels. They are beloved for their stark bi-colors, usually white on the inside and a dark purple, blue, or red at the end of the petals.
They like to be well-watered, but aside from that, they require very little maintenance once you get them planted. These grow up tall and straight but can also become bushier with the proper pruning.
Yellow Wood Sorrel
Scientific Name: Oxalis Stricta
- Plant Type: Annual
- Geographic Origin: North America
- Plant Size: 6-15 inches tall
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
- Plant Zone: 5-7
As their name implies, these flowers are a bright yellow color. Each flower has five oval-shaped petals that face upward or to the side for a sweet-looking flower. They have a fresh scent with a hint of honey that bees and other pollinators love.
While the blossoms are beautiful, so are the leaves on this plant. The leaves look like clovers with three tiny leaves symmetrically positioned. They grow in bushes that are wonderful when placed along a walkway or at the front of your garden.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how many gorgeous annual flowers are out there, don’t hesitate to plant something new and experiment with different plant types. The only way to fill your garden with your favorite flowers is to try planting and growing different ones to see what you like! Keep this list handy from year to year, so you can choose a new annual plant every year to fall in love with.
