Discover the best flowering annuals for summer! Find vibrant blooms, low-maintenance options, and expert planting tips to transform your garden.
When the dog days of summer arrive it can be challenging to keep gardens thriving. But flowering annuals are like your besties that can withstand the sweltering heat and soaring humidity with grace and beauty to keep gardens looking amazing.
Many of these resilient blooms thrive in those conditions, showing off their beautiful colors and putting on a spectacular show despite the heat making them a great addition to any outdoor oasis.
Today, we are exploring the magic of flowering annuals that bloom in summer and are easy to grow together with planting tips to transform your garden.
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Why Flowering Annuals? The Perks of Seasonal Color
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, annual plants are a fantastic choice for adding vibrant colors to your flower beds during the summer season.
Annual flowers are plants that complete their lifecycle within a single growing season. They sprout, grow, bloom, set seeds, and then die all in the span of a single season.
While perennials and biennials have their charm, annuals offer some unique advantages, especially when it comes to seasonal color.
Here’s why I love them.
Instant Gratification
One of the greatest joys of gardening is witnessing the results of your hard work. Annuals provide almost instant gratification as they quickly grow and burst into beautiful blooms. Within a few weeks of planting, you’ll be rewarded with brightly-colored flowers that radiate joy and liveliness.
Now that’s not to say that I don’t love my perennial flowers too, because I most certainly do, but they have a bloom cycle. Depending upon when and how long that bloom cycle occurs, they typically don’t cover an entire season like flowering annuals.
Easy-Care, Low-Maintenance Plants
Not everyone has the time or expertise to maintain an intricate garden with a variety of plants. That’s where annuals come to the rescue!
Most annual flowers are easy-care and low-maintenance, making them perfect for beginners or those with a busy lifestyle. In spring or early summer, it’s best to fertilize annuals with a slow-release fertilizer to make things even easier on yourself.
They can last anywhere from 3-6 months depending on the brand of fertilizer you choose. I love this one and lately, I’ve been using this one by my favorite grower, Proven Winners.
Keep in mind that annuals that love deadheading will produce far more flowers if you actively keep up with snipping off spent flowers. Especially if you grow annual plants in a cut flower garden, certain types of cut and come again. So the more you cut, the more they’ll bloom.
Versatility in Garden Design
Whether you have a sprawling garden bed or a cozy balcony, annuals can fit into any space, no matter the size. They can be planted directly into garden beds, window boxes, hanging baskets, or containers. Their versatility allows you to get creative and experiment with different varieties and color combinations to achieve the desired look and feel.
Flowering Annuals For Vibrant Summer Blooms
Now that we’ve covered the benefits of annuals, let’s explore some of the best flowering annuals that will bring vibrant color and joy to your summer garden. Here are some of the best blooms for non-stop beauty.
Petunias
Petunias are a classic choice for summer annuals. There are several different varieties that come in a wide range of colors and are well-known for their long-lasting blooms. Whether you prefer solid shades or vibrant patterns, petunias will definitely steal the show with their beauty.
I just planted several in my gardens that include some 2024 introductions from Proven Winners. Here is a list of what I’m growing this year (all from Proven Winners)
- Supertunia Vista Bubblegum
- Supertunia Latte
- Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo
- Supertunia Vista Fuschia
- Supertunia Daybreak Charm
- Supertunia Hoopla Vivid Orchid
- Supertunia Vista Jazzberry
- Supertunia Saffron Finch
- Supertunia Mini Vista Sweet Sangria
Superbells
Superbells, with their bell-shaped flowers, are a charming addition to any garden. These annuals are excellent trailing plants, perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over garden edges.
Their profusion of blooms will keep your garden vibrant and colorful throughout the summer. This year I’m growing some new-to-me superbells from Proven Winners and they are doing so well! I just planted some in my containers. Here is what I’m growing this year.
- Superbells Prism Pink Lemonade
- Superbells Double Smitten Pink
- Superbells Double Redstone
- Superbells Double Vintage Coral
- Superbells Double Chiffon
Geraniums
Geraniums are beloved for their vibrant flowers and distinctive foliage. These versatile annuals come in a wide range of colors, including shades of red, pink, white, and purple, allowing you to create captivating color schemes in your garden.
Geraniums are known for their long blooming period, ensuring a summer filled with continuous bursts of color. They are also valued for their aromatic leaves, which emit a pleasant fragrance when touched.
Geraniums thrive in sunny locations, making them ideal for garden beds, borders, or containers. They are relatively low-maintenance, requiring well-draining soil, and regular watering.
With their sturdy nature, geraniums can tolerate heat and withstand dry conditions, making them a reliable choice for the dog days of summer.
Whether you choose to plant them en masse for a dramatic effect or sprinkle them throughout your garden for pops of color, geraniums are sure to add a touch of elegance and timeless beauty to your summer oasis.
This year, I planted:
- Mojo Dark Pink
- Elegance Cherry Bomb
Plus I have a few that I overwintered in my sunroom from last year.
Marigolds
Marigolds are not only beautiful but also functional. Their bright, cheerful flowers repel insects and pests, making them ideal for companion planting in vegetable gardens.
Marigolds are hardy annuals that can withstand hot temperatures and thrive in various soil conditions.
But the best part about marigolds?
They look good in spring when you plant them and look amazing throughout fall until the first frost.
So these are great budget-friendly flowers because you can get both a late spring, early summer, and fall look from them.
Border Dahlias
Border dahlias are a showstopper when it comes to summer blooms. These stunning flowers come in a wide array of colors making them a favorite among gardeners.
They can often be found at garden centers and nurseries when they start getting in their summer flowering annuals.
I’ve grown them for several years and they look wonderful planted in the front of borders.
Keep them well fed, deadhead them throughout the season, and you’ll get an abundance of blooms from spring through fall.
These are not to be confused with dahlias which are tall flowers. Instead, border dahlias are smaller and more compact. I picked up a few at the nursery this year for the zen garden.
Here’s what I’m growing – both are from Proven Winners.
- Dahlia Dalina Grande Cancun
- Dahlia Dalina Grande Mendoza
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are classic annuals that bring vertical interest to your garden beds. These charming flowers look amazing in cottage gardens. come in a wide range of colors and bloom profusely throughout the late spring, summer, and fall.
Snapdragons are versatile and can be used as cut flowers or left to enhance your garden’s beauty. To keep them looking amazing during the warmer months, keep them well hydrated.
A few years ago, we had an extremely hot and dry summer. My snapdragons were in a garden with irrigation that kept them well-hydrated 3 days a week in good well-drained soil and they never skipped a beat!
I started several different varieties from seed this year too. Here’s what I’m growing.
- Madame Butterfly Bronze with White
- Madame Butterfly Rose
- Potomac Pink
- Bridal Pink
- Costa Apricot
- Legend Light Pink
Zinnias
Zinnias are a popular choice for gardeners seeking vibrant and long-lasting summer flowers. These cheerful blooms come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple.
Zinnias are easy to grow from seeds and require minimal care once established. They are loved by butterflies and make a great cut flower for bouquets.
They are one of my favorite flowers to grow. Here is what I’m growing this year:
- Benary’s Giant Wine
- Queen Lime Orange
- Senorita
- Queen Lime Blush
- Benary’s Giant Carmen Rose
- Uproar
Gomphrena
Gomphrena, also known as globe amaranth, is a charming and hardy annual flower that thrives in the heat of summer.
Its unique globe-shaped blooms come in a variety of colors, including vibrant shades of purple, red, white, and pink flowers.
Gomphrena’s compact growth habit and long-lasting blooms make it a great choice for borders, containers or cut flower arrangements.
This resilient annual can withstand high temperatures and dry conditions, making it a true gem in the summer garden.
With gomphrena added to your collection of flowering annuals, you’ll have yet another easy-care and heat-loving plant to enhance your garden’s beauty and bring a touch of whimsy to your outdoor space.
This year, I am growing: ‘Truffula Pink’ by Proven Winners.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a true symbol of summer, with their vibrant yellow petals and towering presence. These annual giants never fail to bring a smile to our faces and brighten up any garden.
Sunflowers come in various sizes, from dwarf varieties perfect for containers to towering specimens that can reach impressive heights.
Not only are they visually striking, but sunflowers also attract pollinators and birds with their abundant nectar and seeds.
They thrive in full sun, soaking up the rays and adding a radiant burst of color to our outdoor spaces.
Planting sunflowers in your garden beds or containers is a joyful way to celebrate the warmth and beauty of summer. Their bold presence and sunny dispositions will infuse your garden with an undeniable sense of happiness and optimism.
To extend their bloom time, sow several different varieties of sunflowers and plant them in succession.
This means, that even if you are only growing one type of sunflower, you’d start them one week, then wait a week to sow them again, and then another week to start them again.
Because many sunflowers are one and done, succession sowing will help them bloom longer in the garden.
This year, I plant Sunflower ‘Royal Hybrid’.
Celosia
Celosia, also known as cockscomb, is a unique annual with striking, velvety flower heads that resemble flames or brain-like shapes.
These vibrant blooms come in rich shades of red, orange, and yellow. Celosia is drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny locations, making it an ideal choice for summer displays.
They not only look great in the garden, but also look amazing in cut flower arrangements too.
Last year, I had several self-seeders from the prior owner’s garden. They were a pleasant surprise and I’m hoping they return this year too!
I didn’t start any from seed this year but am hopeful they will return from last year. We’ll see!
Soothing Annual Flowers for a Calming Garden
Create your own peaceful sanctuary with these soothing annual flowers. Transform your garden into a haven of tranquility with soft pinks, calming purples, cool blues, and serene whites.
Impatiens
Impatiens are annual flowering plants that enjoy partial sun to full shade and are a great addition to those darker corners of your garden. They are low-maintenance plants that are available in a variety of shades, from soft pastels to vivid hues.
This year, I’m growing:
- New Guinea Impatiens
- Proven Winners Impatiens Walleriana Rockapulco Double Impatiens ‘Tropical Shades’
Begonias
Begonias are versatile annual shade flowers that also thrive in partial to full shade gardens. Their waxy leaves and vibrant blooms add a touch of elegance to any garden. With proper care, begonias can bloom all summer long and even into fall.
They look amazing in container gardens too! These are the varieties I’m growing this year.
- Proven Winners Double Delight Rose Begonia
- Proven Winners Double Delight Apple Blossom
Verbena
Verbena is a stunning annual flower that offers a profusion of vibrant blooms throughout the summer season.
Available in a variety of colors, including shades of purple, pink, red, and white, verbena adds a burst of color and visual interest to your garden beds, borders, or containers.
Its clusters of small, delicate flowers create a carpet of beauty that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, bringing life and movement to your outdoor space.
One of the many benefits of verbena is its ability to tolerate heat and thrive in full sun. These hardy annuals can withstand the high temperatures of summer, making them an excellent choice for gardens in warm climates.
They also have a long blooming period, ensuring that your garden remains vibrant and colorful throughout the season.
Verbena is relatively low-maintenance, requiring well-drained soil and regular watering. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage continuous blooming and help maintain a neat appearance.
With its versatility and resilience, verbena is a fantastic option for both beginner and experienced gardeners looking to add a touch of charm and color to their summer landscapes.
This year, I’m growing Proven Winners ‘Superbena Pink Cashmere’.
Bacopa
Bacopa, also known as Sutera, is an excellent choice for cascading over the edges of containers or hanging baskets. These dainty white, pink or purple flowers create a delicate look while they soften the hard lines of containers and rock borders.
Bacopa is a heat-tolerant annual that requires minimal care, making it perfect for busy gardeners. This year, I filled a few containers with Proven Winners Snowstorm Giant Snowflake.
Cosmos
Cosmos are popular annual flowers known for their feathery foliage and daisy-like blooms. They come in various shades of pink, white, and purple, adding a touch of whimsy to your garden.
Cosmos are not only beautiful but also attract butterflies and pollinators, creating a lively ecosystem in your outdoor space. They are also commonly grown in cut flower gardens too. Here’s what I’m growing this year! And I started them all from seed.
- Cosmos Apricot Lemonade
- Cosmos Double Click Pink
- Cosmos Double Click White
Scaevola
Scaevola, also known as fan flower, is a charming annual that boasts a distinctive fan-shaped bloom. Its cascading clusters of delicate flowers come in shades of blue, lavender, pink, and white, adding a delightful pop of color to your garden.
Scaevola is particularly well-suited for hanging baskets, containers, or as a ground cover, as its trailing nature creates a lovely trailing effect.
One of the standout features of scaevola is its ability to thrive in hot and dry conditions, making it an excellent choice for summer gardens.
It is a low-maintenance plant, requiring well-draining soil and regular watering, but it can tolerate periods of drought. Scaevola’s blooms are also known to attract butterflies, adding an enchanting touch to your garden as they flutter about.
Last year, I filled my hanging baskets and porch planters with purple scaevola flowers. They did really well there and bounced back with ease if they were underwatered on occasion. Of course, I don’t recommend underwatering them, but I found them to be more resilient than other flowering annuals.
But this year, I planted Proven Winners ‘Whirlwind Pink’ in a few of the containers in the zen garden.
Whether you’re seeking a trailing beauty for your containers or a ground cover to fill empty spaces, scaevola is sure to captivate with its unique fan-shaped flowers and resilience in the summer heat.
Euphorbia
Euphorbia, like ‘Diamond Frost’ from Proven Winners is a fantastic choice for adding texture and interest to your garden.
Its small white flowers are surrounded by delicate, lacy foliage, creating an enchanting effect.
Euphorbia is drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny spots, making it a resilient and low-maintenance annuals that fills in the gaps and weaves around other easy annual flowers.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum is a graceful and fragrant annual flower that thrives in the heat of summer. With its clusters of tiny, dainty flowers, sweet alyssum adds a touch of elegance and charm to any garden setting. The blooms come in shades of white, pink, and purple, creating a soft and romantic atmosphere.
Not only does sweet alyssum provide a visually pleasing display, but its sweet fragrance also fills the air, making it a delight for the senses.
This low-growing annual is perfect for border edges, rock gardens, or as a ground cover. It withstands the heat with ease and requires minimal care, making it an ideal choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike.
Including sweet alyssum in your summer garden will bring a touch of delicacy and a sweet scent that will captivate both you and your visitors.
Angelonia
Angelonia, also known as summer snapdragon, is a heat-loving annual that thrives in hot climates. Its upright spikes of vibrant flowers come in shades of purple, pink, and white. Angelonia is not only stunning but also attracts butterflies, making it a delightful addition to your summer garden.
This year, I’m growing it in both my hanging planters and planters on the porch. It’s one of the best container plants because it gets a little height and drapes over the edges to soften the edges.
Here’s what I’m growing this year:
- Proven Winners ‘Angelface Cascade Blue’
- Proven Winners ‘Angelface Cascade Pink’
Flowering Annuals With Fiery Reds and Oranges to Kick Up the Summer Heat
Ignite your summer garden with a fiery explosion of reds and oranges! Discover these dazzling annual flowers that bring the heat and turn up the excitement.
Tropical Hibiscus
Tropical hibiscus is a true showstopper with its large, flamboyant, and colorful flowers. These annuals add a touch of the exotic to your garden, with blooms in vibrant shades of red, pink, orange, and yellow. Tropical hibiscus thrives in warm climates and requires ample sunlight and well-drained soil. They are easy to grow and the hummingbirds love them!
Lantana
Lantana is a resilient annual that blooms abundantly in hot, sunny conditions. Its clusters of small flowers come in a range of colors, including shades of orange, pink, and purple.
Lantana attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, adding life and movement to your garden. This year, I’m growing Luscious Royale Cosmo from Proven Winners and I LOVE IT! The clusters of flowers range from bright pink to yellow and orange. The blooms are truly beautiful!
Calendula
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, are one of my favorite annual flowers with vibrant orange, yellow and creamy white flowers.
Apart from its striking appearance, calendula has medicinal properties and is often used in herbal remedies.
Planting calendula in your garden beds or containers adds both beauty and functionality.
But they also make wonderful companion plantings for vegetable gardens as they are attract pollinators and help draw pests away from plants.
Last year, I started about 36 plants from seed, planted them all, and the resident rabbits decimated them. So if rabbits are problem in your garden, you’ll need to protect them.
Here’s what I’m growing this year.
- Calendula ‘Ivory Princess’
- Calendula ‘Orange Flash’
Strawflowers
Strawflowers, also known as everlasting flowers, are a unique and eye-catching annual.
These flowers are prized for their papery petals that retain their color and shape even after drying. They come in various shades of yellow, orange, pink, and white, adding texture and interest to your garden.
Strawflowers are drought-tolerant and thrive in sunny locations, making them a perfect choice for summer displays and dried flower arrangements.
This year, I’m growing from seed:
- Strawflower Apricot Mix
Coleus
While they aren’t revered as much for their flowers, coleus is a popular annual known for its stunning foliage, which comes in a wide array of colors, patterns, and textures. From vibrant shades of green, red, purple, and yellow to intricate patterns of stripes and speckles, coleus leaves are truly captivating.
What makes coleus even more exciting is its ability to thrive in both sun and shade, allowing for flexible placement in your garden. These easy-care plants are perfect for adding a splash of color to garden beds, borders, or containers.
Coleus can also be used as a focal point or to create eye-catching combinations with other flowering annuals. In addition, some varieties of coleus produce small, inconspicuous flowers, while others are grown solely for their foliage.
One of the benefits of coleus is its adaptability to different light conditions. While some varieties prefer full sun, others can tolerate partial shade or even thrive in full shade. This makes coleus an excellent choice for areas with varying levels of sunlight throughout the day.
To care for coleus, provide well-draining soil and regular watering. Pinching back the plant’s growing tips will encourage bushier growth and prevent it from becoming leggy.
This year, I’m growing the following varieties from Proven Winners.
- Colorblaze Strawberry Drop
- Colorblaze El Brighto
- Colorblaze Newly Noir
With its remarkable foliage and adaptability, coleus is sure to bring a vibrant and dynamic element to your summer garden.
Tithonia
Tithonia, commonly known as the Mexican sunflower, is an exceptional annual that thrives in the heat of summer. With its tall, branching stems and large, fiery orange or red blooms, tithonia commands attention in any garden.
These striking flowers not only add a bold pop of color but also attract a myriad of pollinators, including butterflies and bees.
Tithonia is known for its resilience and ability to tolerate hot and dry conditions, making it a great choice for gardens in regions with scorching summers.
Whether planted in borders or used as a focal point in your landscape, tithonia is sure to make a stunning statement and create a haven for pollinators.
Planting Annuals in Garden Beds and Containers
Now that we’ve explored some of the best flowering annuals for summer, let’s discuss how to plant them in both garden beds and containers:
Planting Annual Flowers in Garden Beds
- Prepare the soil: Remove weeds and loosen compacted soil with a garden fork or tiller. If your soil is poor, amend it with compost or well-rotted manure for improved drainage and fertility.
- Dig a hole: Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of your annual flower. Make sure the hole is deep enough so the top of the root ball will be level with the surrounding soil when planted.
- Gently prepare the plant: Before planting, gently loosen the root ball to encourage outward growth. If the plant is very root-bound, you can make a few vertical cuts along the sides of the root ball.
- Place the plant in the hole: Carefully set the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Important: Planting too deeply can lead to stem rot.
- Backfill with soil: Gently backfill the hole with soil, firming it around the base of the plant to remove air pockets.
- Water thoroughly: Water deeply to settle the soil and help the roots establish contact with their new environment. Then water deeply and frequently for the first week or two after planting, then adjust watering based on weather and soil conditions.”
- Optional: Add mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and regulate soil temperature.
- Maintenance: Water regularly, especially during hot and dry periods. Consider applying a balanced fertilizer every few weeks to encourage continuous blooming. I prefer to use a slow-release fertilizer because it lasts for months and is a set-and-forget approach to feeding your summer annual flowers.
Planting Flowering Annuals in Pots
- Choose the right container: Select containers with drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. Ensure the container is the appropriate size for your chosen annuals, providing enough room for root growth.
- Use quality potting mix: Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix specifically formulated for containers. Leave about an inch of space at the top for watering.
- Prepare the plant: Gently remove the annual from its nursery container. If the plant is rootbound, gently loosen the outer roots or make a few vertical slits along the root ball to encourage outward growth.
- Place the plant: Position the plant in the center of the container. Ensure the top of the root ball is slightly below the rim of the container.
- Backfill: Add more potting mix around the base, gently firming the soil to secure the plant.
- Fertilize: Consider incorporating a slow-release fertilizer into the potting mix, following package instructions. Alternatively, fertilize with a liquid fertilizer diluted to the correct strength every few weeks.
- Water thoroughly: Water deeply until water runs out the drainage holes. This helps settle the soil and encourages root growth.
- Maintenance: Check your containers daily during hot weather, as they tend to dry out faster than garden beds. Water as needed when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Additional Tips
- Container combinations: Get creative! Plant a variety of annuals in a single container for a vibrant display. Consider combining thrillers (tall, upright plants), fillers (mounding plants), and spillers (plants that cascade over the edge).
- Monitor moisture: While consistent watering is important, avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot.
Remember to consider the sunlight requirements of each annual flower when deciding where to place them in your garden or containers. When the plant tag says an annual thrives in full sun, that means they need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
However, some annuals, like impatiens and begonias, prefer partial to full shade which equates to roughly 4 hours or less sunlight.
As the summer progresses, be sure to monitor soil moisture and water your annuals accordingly. Fertilizing is important to keep the flowers coming. I prefer using a slow-release fertilizer like this or this to help promote healthy growth and abundant blooms.
By choosing the best plants that work for you and your growing conditions, your garden beds and containers will burst with vibrant colors all summer long.
More About Annual Flowers That Look Good in Summer
What is your flowering annual for summer? Share your summer garden successes! Post photos of your blooming annuals and tell me more in the comments below.
For more information about growing annual flowers, please see the following cooperative extension articles:
- Cornell Cooperative Extension
- University of Massachusettes Amherst Cooperative Extension
- Extension of Missouri
To drill down on more beginner gardening techniques and tips, please read these posts:
Happy gardening!
Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
