Listed below in alphabetical order are annuals by their common names, followed by their botanical names, culture, mature heights and exposure preferences.
Annual Statice Limonium sinuatum
Heat-loving annual for full sun and well drained soil. Drought tolerant. Pastel flowers summer through fall make excellent cuts and drieds as well. Fertilize lightly twice a month. Use as borders or mass plantings.
12" - 15" Tall
Full Sun
Aster Callistephus chinensis
Does best with full sun, regular water, rich soil, with mulch to keep their shallow root systems moist; avoid overwatering. They are good for cut flowers, pots, and edges. The China Aster has many cultivars. This dwarf form grows up to 6 inches tall.
Full Sun
To 6" Tall
Black-Eyed Susan Vine Thunbergia alata
Small trailing, twining plant with 3" triangular leaves and 1" wide tubular flowers in orange, yellow or white - all with a purple black throat. Perennial grown as annual; grow in good soil with regular water. Excellent in hanging baskets, window boxes, trained on a low trellis or used as a ground cover.
Full Sun
To 8' Tall
Calendula Calendula officinalis
These bright yellow and orange flowers are a familiar sight in cottage and country gardens. This hardy annual grows to a height of about 9-20 inches and has a long flowering period. The plant prefers a rich, light soil and a sunny location. Water regularly and deeply during dry spells. It will seed itself readily.
Full Sun
1' to 2' Tall
China Aster Callistephus chinensis
This annual plant is a native to Asia.The flowers range in color from blue, white, red, yellow, or pink on 1'-3' stems. The foliage rises from the base of the plant. Grow asters in full sun with rich, well draining soil. Asters bloom from mid-summer up until the first frost.
Full Sun
1' - 3' Tall
Chinese Woolflower Celosia plumosa
Sub-tropical annual for rich well drained soil. Brilliant flower plumes from summer through fall add a striking accent to any garden. Flowers can be dried.
Full sun to part shade
12" to 15" Tall
Chocolate Cosmos Cosmos astrosanguineus
2' to 2 1/2' tall with coarsely cut feathery green foliage. Flowers are dark brownish red and nearly 2" wide; highly perfumed with a real chocolate aroma. Plant has a tuberous root system that can be dug up in colder areas and stored over winter like dahlias.
Full Sun
2' - 2.5' Tall
Cineraria Senecio hybridus
Compact 12"-15" tall with lush, broad green leaves. Wide 3"-5" clusters of daisy- like flowers cover the top of the plant. Colors: white, pink, purplish red, blue and purple, often with con- trasting eyes or bands. Annual; water regularly - never let plant dry out. Effective in mass plantings or in container as patio or house plant.
Shade 12"-15" Tall
Cineraria "Bouquet" Senecio hybridus
Compact, 4" to 8" tall with lush, small green leaves. Wide 3"-5" clusters of daisy- like flowers cover the top of the plant. Colors: Solid orange, red and maroon, some with bi-color contrasting eyes or bands. Annual; grow in cool shady areas with regular watering - never let plant dry out. Effective in mass plantings or in container as patio or house plant.
Shade To 8" Tall
Coleus Solenostemon scutellarioides
Tender annual, prefers rich, moist soil. Vibrant leaves of rainbow colors great for accents and contrasts in hanging baskets, patio containers or borders. Prune back at any time.
Part Shade
To 12" Tall
Coreopsis Coreopsis grandiflora
Plants 1' - 2' tall and spreading to 3' wide. Leaves have 3 to 5 lobes and are a dark green backdrop to the many 2" - 3" intensely brilliant yellow, semi-double flowers. Perennial; little water once established; good drought tolerant plant for country gardens.
Full Sun
To 24" Tall
Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
Cosmos have large daisy like, simple or semi-double flowers, up to 4 inches in diameter. The colors are generally white, pink or red. They are good cut flowers. Half-hardy annual, 3 to 5 feet tall depending on strain, 10 to 18 inches spread. Infrequent deep watering, try to keep the soil somewhat moist, but needs good drainage.
Full Sun
3' to 5' Tall
Cup Flower Nierembergia caerulea
Spreading mound, 6" - 12" tall with small stiff green leaves and violet to blue cup shaped flowers. Perennial; treated as annual, full sun and regular watering.
Full Sun
6"-12" Tall
Dahlia 'Figaro' Dahlia x hybrida
Annual dahlias prefer moist rich soil. 2-3" flowers of all colors spring through fall. Good for cut flowers. Use as borders, massed or in containers. Fertilize occasionally and remove old blooms.
Full Sun to Part Shade
12"-15" Tall
Dianthus Dianthus chinensis
Compact, 6"- 8" high and wide mounds of narrow, blue-green leaves topped by 3"-5" tall stems of pink, scarlet, purple and white flowers; pleasant fragrance. Annual; full sun and light afternoon shade in hotter areas, regular watering. Good for borders, edgings and containers.
Full Sun to Light Shade
To 12" Tall
Dianthus 'Raspberry Parfait' Dianthus chinensis
Compact, 6"- 8" high and wide mounds of narrow, blue-green leaves topped by 3"-5" tall stems of white and raspberry red flowers; pleasant fragrance. Annual; full sun and light afternoon shade in hotter areas, regular watering. Good for borders, edgings and containers.
Full Sun to Light Shade
To 12" Tall]
Dianthus 'Snowfire' Dianthus chinensis
Compact, 6"- 8" high and wide mounds of narrow, blue-green leaves topped by 3"-5" tall stems of light pinkish-white and dark red flowers; pleasant fragrance. Annual; full sun and light afternoon shade in hotter areas, regular watering. Good for borders, edgings and containers.
Full Sun to Light Shade
To 12" Tall
Dianthus 'Strawberry Parfait' Dianthus chinensis
Compact, 6"- 8" high and wide mounds of narrow, blue-green leaves topped by 3"-5" tall stems of white and strawberry red flowers; pleasant fragrance. Annual; full sun and light afternoon shade in hotter areas, regular watering. Good for borders, edgings and containers.
Full Sun to Light Shade
To 12" Tall
Dianthus 'Telstar' Dianthus chinensis
Compact, 6"- 8" high and wide mounds of narrow, blue-green leaves topped by 3"-5" tall stems of pink, scarlet, purple and white flowers; pleasant fragrance. Annual; full sun and light afternoon shade in hotter areas, regular watering. Good for borders, edgings and containers.
Full Sun to Light Shade
To 12" Tall
Double Begonia Begonia semperflorens
Dark, shiny green leaves on plants 8" to 10" tall with a vigorous spreading habit. Fully double, rose like flowers in white, pink or red. Perennial in milder areas though often treated as an annual. Does best with regular watering and consistently moist soil.
Part Shade
8" to 10" Tall
Dusty Miller Senecio cineraria
Silvery-white foliage excellent contrast to other annual color. Plant in full sun in any soil and water regularly. Produces yellow flowers in summer. Prune lightly when desired.
Full Sun
8-12" Tall
Dwarf Coreopsis Coreopsis auriculata nana
5" to 6" high mat of 2" to 5" long green leaves. Bright orange-yellow flowers1" to 2 1/2" wide held well above foliage. Under ideal conditions it can spread to a 2' wide clump in a year. Perennial; little water once established. Good for foreground plantings, borders and edgings. Long, profuse blooming season if faded flowers are removed regularly.
Full Sun
6" Tall - 24" /wide
Fibrous Begonia Begonia semperflorens
Sturdy evergreen annuals prefer rich, moist soil. Always in bloom w/ delicate white, pink, or red flowers and shiny green or bronze leaves year round. Prune and fertilize occasionally to renew.
Sun to Part Shade
6" to 8" Tall
Floss Flower Ageratum houstonianum
Large dense heads of fluffy, amethyst-blue flowers on dwarf, compact plants. Very free blooming. Excellent as edging in borders, beds, rockeries. Tolerates dry soils.
Full sun or semi-shade. Blooms June to September.
Full Sun to Part Shade
8"-10" Tall
Globe Amaranth Gomphrena globosa
Globe amaranth is an annual grown as a summer bedding plant. It cannot tolerate frost, but it is quite tolerant of summer heat. Provide full sun, and though it will survive drought, it performs best with regular watering, especially during hot weather. Cloverlike flowerheads, 1.5" long, are borne on spikes from summer until frost. Best used in annual beds and borders.
Full Sun
12" to 24" Tall
Golden Fleece Thymophylla tenuiloba
This is a wonderful little daisy-like flower for the spring and summer garden. It is a branching annual with almost fern-like, pungent leaves. From spring to summer, it produces upturned, star-shaped, bright yellow flowerheads, to 1/2in across. The plant will grow 12" high and as wide. Prefers well drained, moderately fertile soil, full sun and regular watering. Becomes moderately drought tolerant once established.
Full Sun to Part Shade
12" Tall
Impatiens Impatiens walleriana
18" high and wide with dark green glossy leaves 1"-3" long on light green stems. Flowers 1"-2" wide in various colors. Use as annual in colder climates, perennial in milder, frost free areas. Full sun on coast, filtered sun to light shade elsewhere. Don't let soil dry out. If plants get overgrown, cut back to as close as 6"; new growth appears in a few days. Excellent container plant.
Filtered Sun to Light Shade
18" Tall and Wide
Joseph's Coat Amaranthus tricolor
Very vigorous, heat-loving, annual for any moist soil. Cut back at any time to keep compact. Brightly colored foliage provides striking contrast in the garden all summer long.
Full Sun to Part Shade
24"-30" Tall
Linaria (Toadflax) Linaria maroccana
Compact plants 12" to 18" tall and 6" wide. Flowers resemble baby snapdragons and cover the plant on spikes above the foliage. Flowers in a wide range of solid colors and bicolors. Tender perennial treated as an annual; does best with regular watering.
Full Sun to Part Shade
12" to 18" Tall
Lisianthus Eustoma grandiflorum
Standard varieties to 1.5' tall, dwarf ypes to 8". Both have gray-green somewhat narrow leaves and large 2" -3" tulip-shaped flowers in purplish-blue, pink and white. Biennial or short-lived perennial. Regular water. Remove old flowers to extend bloom period. Excellent as cut flowers or in patio caontainers.
Full Sun
8"- 2.5' Tall
Lisianthus 'Mermaid White' Eustoma grandiflorum
Gray-green leaves backdrop the large, 2" wide white tulip shaped flowers. Biennial or short-lived perennial that requires full sun and regular water. Remove old flowers to extend bloom period. Excellent as cut flowers or in patio containers.
Full Sun
To 8" Tall
Lisianthus 'Mermaid Blue' Eustoma grandiflorum
Gray-green leaves backdrop the large, 2" wide blue tulip shaped flowers. Biennial or short-lived perennial that requires full sun and regular water. Remove old flowers to extend bloom period. Excellent as cut flowers or in patio containers.
Full Sun
To 12" Tall
Lisianthus 'Mermaid Pink' Eustoma grandiflorum
Gray-green leaves backdrop the large, 2" wide pink tulip shaped flowers. Biennial or short-lived perennial that requires full sun and regular water. Remove old flowers to extend bloom period. Excellent as cut flowers or in patio containers.
Full Sun
To 12" Tall
Lobelia Lobelia erinus
Annual, a favorite summer bedding plant, with tiny florets in sky blue to deep blue, white, purple, rose, carmine or cherry-red. Spreading mounds of Lobelia are great for containers. Does best in a humus-rich, sandy, moist but well-drained soil. Remove flower spikes after blooming to produce further growth.
Full Sun
To 8" Tall
Marigold 'African Marigold' Tagetes erecta
Annual, with large, 3"-5" chrysanthemum-like blooms in yellow, orange and gold. 3'-5' plant is a colorful addition to any garden, even the vegetable garden. A profuse bloomer, it also has beneficial companion planting qualities especially with tomatoes and cucumbers as an insect deterrent. Prefers full sun and rich moist soil. Excellent for cut flowers.
Full Sun
3' to 5' Tall
Marigold 'French Marigold' Tagetes patula
Annual, small, bushy plants with flowers up to 2 inches across. Flowers may be single or double, yellow, orange, mahogany-red or bicolored. Plant height ranges from 6" to 18" French marigolds bloom from spring until frost. Prefers full sun and rich moist soil. Excellent in beds, borders and containers.
Full Sun
6" to 18" Tall
Marigold Tagetes x hybrid
Annual, grow in rich moist soil. Continuous chrysanthemum-like blooms of yellow and orange spring through summer. Can be used for cut flowers and as insect deterrent.
Full Sun
6" to 18" Tall
Melampodium Melampodium paludosum
18" high and wide, this hardy annual is a profuse late spring to early fall bloomer which sports clouds of yellow daisies above its light green foliage. A flower stem is produced out of every terminal leaf cluster, which is the reason the plant is literally covered with flowers all summer long. Prefers full sun, regular watering and well drained soil.
Full Sun
To 18" Tall
Multicaule Daisy Chrysanthemum multicaule
Great plant for edging or pots. The leaf rosette stays low to the ground and stems bearing round, yellow button flowers curve upwards to about 12". Blooms long into the season. Provide full sun to light shade in hotter areas, and regular watering.
Full Sun to Part Shade
To 12" Tall
Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus
Brilliant, rambling annual for full sun or part shade and any moist soil. Tolerant of poor, leached soils. Flowers of yellow, red and orange. All parts edible, peppery flavor. Self-sowing.
Sun to Part Shade
To 10" Tall
Nemesia Nemesia strumosa
Fast-growing, bushy annual with clusters of trumpet-shaped, scented flowers in red, blue, cream, lavender, yellow or bi- and tri-colors from June to September. Good for containers and window boxes. Full sun is best, but this plant may be grown in filtered sun or bright reflected light as well. Water well during dry periods.
Full Sun to Part Shade
To 10" Tall
Nicotiana Nicotiana alata
Tender perennial usually grown as an annual. Masses of trumpet like, star shaped flowers in white, red, pnk and lime green; often fragrant. Prefers full sun to part shade, and ample watering. Blooms summer through fall.
Full sun to part shade
To 18" Tall and Wide
Ornamental Kale Brassica oleracea acephala
Impressive fall-winter annual featuring colorful red, purple, green or white cabbage-like leaves. Excellent in flower arrangements. Plant in any soil. Ample water.
Full Sun
10" - 12" Tall
Paludosum Daisy Chrysanthemum paludosum
Masses of small white flowers with yellow centers bloom for months and months. It's hard to see the foliage through the abundance of flowers! Perfect for containers and windowboxes. Blooms spring through fall; shear back in the heat of summer to rejuvenate the plant.
Full Sun
To 12" Tall
Pansy Viola wittrockiana Hybrid
Compact plants, with rich, green foliage and free flowering habit in an array of colors and combinations. Perennial, though usually treated as an annual; prefers rich, evenly moist soil. Excellent choice for containers, window boxes and borders to create a brilliant splash of color; more heat tolerant than old fashioned varieties to prolong bloom season.
Full sun to part shade
6" to 8" Tall and Wide
Pepper Capsicum annuum
Dark green foliage. Bears small fruits in red, yellow or purple depending on variety. Annual; in the ground, provide deep but infrequent watering. If grown indoors provide with as much direct light as possible, and water regularly. Peppers are edible and very hot. Good container plant for color accent on patios.
Full Sun
12" - 18" Tall
Petunia 'Hybrid Petunia' Petunia x hybrida
These are easy to grow spreading petunias in a variety of rich colors. Tolerates a wide variety of garden condions from hot to cold to rain. Great for baskets, over walls, in caontainers or as massed plantings.
Full Sun
To 18" Tall and Wide
Petunia 'Mini Petunia' Petunia hybrida
This petite petunia is about two thirds the size of a normal petunia, and is exceptionally free flowering. The pastel blooms are visible from a distance to accent a path or garden feature. Thrives in container plantings and unlike its larger cousin, does not dominate other annuals growing in a color bowl or patio pot.
Full Sun
To 6" Tall
Petunia Petunia x hybrida
Low growing mounding or spreading plants to 12" high 24" across. Flowers to 2" across in just about any color as well as striped and heavily contrasted veining. Annual; prefers regular watering.
Full Sun
12" tall, 24" wide
Vigorous annual for rich, moist soil. Brilliant carpets of star-shaped flowers in all colors spring through fall. Great for borders or containers or massed on hillsides.
Full Sun
To 6"
Poppy 'California Poppy' Eschscholzia californica
Hardy, California native wild flower with massive display of brilliant orange, also bright yellow, rose or cream colored flowers. An annual which self-sows each year; any soil and regular water.
Full Sun
12" Tall
Blue green leaves are divided and hairy forming a 6" wide base for the flower stems. Stems are 1' to 2' tall topped with delicate, crepe petaled single flowers in a variety of pastel colors. Perennial for full sun and regular to moderate water. Excellent effect when mass planted.
Full Sun
12" to 24" Tall
Primrose Primula malacoides
Leaves soft, pale green, and oval to 3" long. Blossoms in tiers on long stems in colors of white, pink, lavender, rose and red. Perennial; prefers light shade and regular watering. Blooms midwinter to late spring.
Light Shade
To 12" Tall
Primrose Primula obconica
Leaves are soft, hairy, medium green up to 6" long. Blossoms in shades of pink, salmon, lavender, reddish purple and white are 1" to 2" wide in large full clusters. Perennial; prefers light shade and regular watering.
Light Shade
To 12" Tall
Primrose Primula x polyantha
Leaves are fresh green resembling romaine lettuce up to 8" long. Blossoms, in almost any color, are 1" to 2" wide in large full clusters. Perennial; prefers light shade and regular watering. Blooms midwinter to late spring.
Light Shade
To 12" Tall
Purslane Portulaca oleracea
Purslane's distinguishing characteristics are its almost prostrate, reddish, fleshy stems; watery sap; succulent leaves, which are broad-rounded at the tips; small yellow-petaled flowers. Both stems and leaves often have a reddish tinge. Annual; regular to moderate watering. Good for hanging baskets and rock gardens.
Full Sun
1" Tall and Spreading
Rose Moss Portulaca grandiflora
Low growing fleshy plant to 6" tall and 18" wide. Flowers lustrous, to 1" wide in white, red, rose pink, orange and yellow; single and double petaled types. Annual; regular to moderate watering. Good for hanging baskets, borders and rock gardens.
Full Sun
6" tall to 18" wide
Salvia 'Red Salvia' Salvia coccinea
Tender, heat loving annual for full sun or partial shade and rich moist soil. Spikes of firey red from late spring through fall add dramatic focus to the landscape. Remove old flowers and fertilize occasionally.
Full Sun to Part Shade
12" to 15" Tall
Salvia, Red Salvia 'Lady in Red' Salvia coccinea
Bushy, 2'-3' tall with dark green furry leaves. Flowers tubular, scarlet red on 4" spikes above foliage. Perennial; full sun and regular to little water once established; prefers some aridity. Good as border or rock garden plant; hummingbird attracter.
Full Sun
24" to 36" Tall
Salvia 'Victoria Blue' Salvia farinacea
Upright, multi branching to 20" tall, with 3" long dark green lance shaped leaves. Flower spikes are 6" to 12" long, and densly packed with small dark blue flowers. Perennial, though usually treated as an annual; regular watering.
Full Sun
To 20" tall
Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus
Sturdy, vigorous plants heat and cold tolerant; prefer rich, moist soil. Colorful spikes all year round except for hottest summer months. Great cut flowers.
Full Sun
18"-24" Tall
Fragrant perennial treated as an annual with richly colored flower spikes in fall, winter and spring, suitable for cut flowers. Flowers are single or double in pink, yellow, red, lavender, purple, cream and white. Plant in full sun and rich, well-drained soil.
Full Sun
12 - 15"
Stock 'Dwarf Stock' Matthiola incana
Fragrant perennial treated as an annual with richly colored flower spikes in fall, winter and spring, suitable for cut flowers. Flowers are single or double in pink, yellow, red, lavender, purple, cream and white. Plant in full sun and rich, well-drained soil.
Full Sun
12 - 15"
Strawflower Helichrysum bracteatum
Green to gray-green 2"-5" long leaves. Flowers pompom like in white, yellow, orange, red or pink and are stiff, dry and papery. Annual; regular to occasional watering when established. Flowers good in fresh cut arrangements or will last indefinitely when dried.
Full Sun
2 - 3' Tall
Sunflower Helianthus annuus
Single to multiple branched, with sturdy stems and medium green leaves. Flowers bright yellow to 5" across. Annual; regular to heavy water. Excellent border, edging plant or patio container as well as cut flower.
Full Sun
to 15" Tall
Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima
A fragrant favorite annual for edging, Alyssum produces masses of white, lavender, blue, pink or purple blooms. Perfect for lining walkways or in window boxes. Full sun to partial shade and regular watering.Space 8" apart. Attracts butterflies.
Full Sun to Part Shade
To 4" Tall
Trailing Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus
Vigorous plants requiring regular watering. Prolific blooms of bright yellow cascade from the well-branched trailing stems. Excellent choice for hanging baskets, window boxes and mixed containers.
Full Sun to Part Shade
12" Tall
Verbena Verbena peruviana hybrida
Many branched plant spreading 1 1/2' - 3'. Leaves oblong 2"-4" long and bright green to gray-green. Flowers in flat compact clusters 2"-3" wide and in colors of white, pink, red, purple, blue and combinations. Give full sun and does best with deep but infrequent watering. Good for mass color and as groundcover.
Full Sun To
12" Tall
Vinca Catharanthus roseus
Sub-tropical heat loving annual for rich well drained soil. Careful not to over-water. Continuous display of star-shaped flowers in a variety of colors summer through fall. Most heat tolerant of all annuals.
Full Sun
To 12" tall
Compact plants, 6" - 8" wide with rich, green foliage and free flowering habit. Perennial, though usually treated as an annual; prefers rich, evenly moist soil with full sun on the coast and part shade in hotter inland areas. Excellent choice for containers, window boxes and borders to create a brilliant splash of color. 1 1/2" wide flowers with various contrasting colors on the upper and lower petals.
Full sun to part shade
6" to 8" Tall and Wide
Wishbone Flower Torenia fournieri
Heat loving plant covered with light and dark blue snapdragon like flowers on trailing stems; fast growing. Annual; water regularly to establish, then periodically to keep soil moist a few inches down. Water daily during hot summer days. Long bloom period is perfect for hanging baskets, tubs and window boxes. Noninvasive trailing habit great for beds.
Sun to Part Shade
To 12" Tall
Heat-loving annual for full sun and well drained, rich soil. Varieties range from compact miniatures to 3' giants. Flowers can be single or double in a variety of bright and pastel colors all summer through fall. Do not over-water.
Full Sun
8" to 36" Tall
Zinnia 'Dreamland' Zinnia elegans
Double 4 inch dahlia-like flowers on dwarf compact plants. Colors include coral, ivory, pink, red, rose and scarlet. Excellent disease resistance and superb garden performance. Grows 10-12 inches tall.
Full Sun
10" to 12" Tall
Zinnia 'Profusion' Zinnia elegans
Heat-loving new hybrid annual for full sun and well drained, rich soil. As the name implies, forms a profuse carpet of cherry and orange flowers all summer through fall. Do not over-water.
Full Sun
12" to 18" Tall
