Top 10 Best Annuals For Your Garden 

From impatiens to marigolds to geraniums – here is a top 10 favourite annual plants for you to consider when you are planning your garden. The advantage is that most of them will bloom continuously, the disadvantage is that you need to plant new ones every year.

But – you can always save seeds from your plants – marigold seeds are especially easy to collect and use the following year.

Annuals are great to use in between, around and pretty much anywhere in concert with perennials that already exist in your garden or the ones you are going to plant. Number of varieties is great for putting around rose bushes, in front of tall plants or in areas you are in need to colour enhancement.

If you prefer perennials – the great plants that keep coming back year after year, check out the information in: Top 10 Perennials for Your Garden

Our 10 Favourite Annuals

#1 – Marigolds

Marigolds are easy to grow and have a continuous flowering period. African marigolds are larger – they grow upright and can reach a height of 30 inches. French marigolds grow more into a bush style plant and only reach the height of 8-16 inches. The scent may be somewhat unpleasant , but consider that it is the reason why marigolds repel many garden pests. African marigolds come in shades of yellow and orange and french marigolds are often multicoloured in shades of orange, yellow, mahogany and crimson. All marigolds are suitable for planting in flower beds of containers.

#2 – Geraniums

There is a great deal of variety of geraniums, but the most popular are the low-growing,dense plants. The leaves can be rounded, but more often they are serrated or lobed are quite attractive. Geraniums have small flowers that attract plenty of butterflies and bees.

Interesting information about geraniums is that they are deer resistant – so if you live in a area where you have the challenge of these visitors munching on your plants, consider planting varieties of geraniums.

Very good usage for geraniums is to plant them under roses to hide rose knees and complement the roses in colour. But they do well just about anywhere, including containers.

#3 – Impatiens

These pretty flowers are great for brightening a shaded corner and they are extremely adaptable. They are available in a large number of colours and varieties and if you can’t decide which colour to plant, don’t be afraid to mix and plant all the ones you like. As they grow, you will have a beautiful colour carpet of blooms.

You can also use impatiens in flower boxes, container and patio pots – just remember to water them regularly

#4 – Flowering Tobacco

This plant releases wonderful fragrance and blooms stay open day and night. Flowering Tobacco is also well known as the Star Flower – fitting description, because the blooms are clustered together at a top of the tall stem in a shower of brilliant  white stars.

#5 – Gerbera Daisy

If you love daisies then Gerbera Daisy is your plant. They come in a carnival of colours that make an excellent cut flowers for your table. Single flowers are produced atop of each thick, hairy stem and range in height from 6 to 15 inches. They will bloom all summer and are suitable to use in containers as well as flowerbeds.

#6 – Sweet Peas

Good idea is to plant this beauty close to doors or walkways – you will be able to enjoy their delicious fragrance every time you walk by! Sweet Peas is favourite of cool climate gardeners in the summer since it does not tolerate extreme heat too well.

#7 – Cosmos

These beautiful flowers are open and airy, constantly in colour and disease and insect free. It will quickly become a must in your garden – they give the feeling of wild flowers and are excellent as cut flowers for your table.

Additional advantage is that they will grown in a soil that is not rich and that makes them easy to grow.Cut flowers frequently to prevent seed formation and promote new blooms.

#8 – Morning Glory

Sky-blue trumpet shape flower will welcome each new day for you if this will become your choice of plants for your garden. Morning Glory wine grows very fast up a trellis or screen and will soon fill the space with magical 4 inch blossoms in various shades. If you plants them from seeds, plant multiples of seeds, since each seed will only produce one single strand – it will not branch out.

#9 – Sunflower

Nothing will brighten your day more than the shining faces of sunflowers – they will bring a ray os sunshine into your garden even on a rainy day. Tough and durable, sunflowers can take hot sun and dry conditions without fading.

They range in colour from a crisp yellow to a beautiful shade of red. They have no serious pest or disease problem and will easily grow anywhere in your garden.

#10 – Zinnias

These beautiful flowers are not only easy to grow, but their bright blooms make fantastic bouquets for your table! You will do well of you cut the regularly – even every day, since these weather resistant plants will not only bounce back from anything nature can throw at them, but cutting them will make them deliver more and more blooms.

They perform well in full sun and can be easily used in containers as well as flowerbeds.

These are really just a few on my personal favourites – the variety of annuals available each year is truly astounding.

Don’t be afraid to try different ones  – especially if you are just starting your garden.

And remember to keep notes about which plant did well in what area – it will make it easier for you to decide what you are going to plant the following year!