SPRING-PLANTED, SUMMER-FLOWERING ANNUALS

Plant	Height Inches	Spread Inches	Exposure	Comments
Begonia Begonia X semperflorens-cultorum	6-15	8-15	Sun or Shade	Attractive foliage and flowers; cocktail series such as Vodka (red) is most popular but all are sun and heat tolerant if well-established in a prepared bed.
.	One of the most popular bedding plants grown, Begonias flower from spring until frost. Colors range from white to pink to vivid red. Some varieties have bronze foliage and some green variegated with white. Some varieties are more sun tolerant than others. tuberhybrida (Tuberous Begonia) is also grown but is not as well-suited for landscape use in the south.
Caladium	12-18	15-18	Sun or Shade	If strap leafed varieties are used in sunny locations and established before July 1; For shade areas use the Fancy Leaf type. Bright foliage, plant from tubers or transplants. Best heat -tolerant and sun tolerant Strap leafed varieties are White Wing, Pink Gem and Red Frill.
Cockscomb Celosia cristata	12-36	10-30	Sun	Crested and plume types available; If transplants are used, small transplants (before flower bud appears) should be used to avoid stunted plants; can be direct seeded as well.
.	Many new varieties of Celosia have been developed in recent years which far extend the use of the plant. Heights range from one-half to two-and-a-half feet. Colors range from cream to yellow, gold, pink and red. Flower types vary from fasciated convoluted combs to feathery spikes. Some varieties also have bronze foliage.
Coleus Coleus X hyhridus	8-24	12-24	Sun or Shade	Burgundy sun, Eclipse and Plum Parfait are the most sun and heat tolerant coleus available. Colorful foliage.
.	An excellent choice for shady locations, although some varieties are sun tolerant. Heights range from one to three feet depending on variety and conditions. Coleus is grown for its colorful foliage; many varieties also have deeply lobed or cut margins. Flower spikes should be removed as they appear.
Copper Plant	36	30	Sun	Brilliant copper-colored foliage; Louisiana Red is broader-leaf, more intense red of the large-growing copper. Copper Red is an improved selections of the standard copper plant.
Cosmos Cosmos sulphureus C. bipinnatus	36 - 72	48 - 72	Sun	.
.	Ranging in height from one to four feet, Cosmos are among the easiest annuals to grow. Taller varieties have a tendency to fall over and may require staking. C. sulphureus varieties are predominately yellow and gold; C. bipinnatus varieties are white to pink to crimson.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Gaillardia pulchella	12 - 18	12 - 18	Sun	Tolerates heat
.	Gaillardia is considerably more heat and drought tolerant than most annuals. A number of varieties are available ranging in color from yellow to red. Height ranges from one to two-and-a-half feet.
Impatiens (Sultana) Impatiens wallerana	6-24	10-24	Shade	Brightly colored flowers, (sultana) many varieties-- NEVER USE any of the New Guinea or the double impatiens -- they die and don't bloom profusely.
.	Impatiens are one of the most popular bedding plants in America. They provide continuous flowering from spring until fall. Almost all colors except blue are available in varieties ranging in height from six inches to two or three feet. Impatiens generally do best in shade, but many varieties are sun tolerant if given adequate moisture.
Lantana	12-48	30-48	Sun	Trailing forms (Imperial Purple, Trailing Lavender, Trailing White) and upright forms (New Gold, Dallas Red)
Marigold Tagetes erecta American or African Marigold T. patula French Marigold	6-36	10-36	Sun	Should ONLY be planted in August because of spider mites problem, holds up in heat; Use Antigua series; sometimes called Mari-Mums.
	T. species and hybrids. Many varieties are available primarily in shades of yellow, gold, orange and mahogany red. The American or African Marigolds have larger flowers than do the French Marigolds. Triploid Marigolds are hybrids between the two species. Heights range from six to 36 inches.
Ornamental Pepper Capsicum annuum Jerusalem Cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum	18 - 20	18-20	Sun
	Ornamental Peppers are grown for their highly colored elongated fruit (pods) which range in color from yellow to orange, red, and purple to near black. Multiple colors are often present on the same plant. The fruit are extremely hot and should be used with caution around children. Jerusalem Cherry is very similar in appearance except that the fruit is round and poisonous if eaten.
Periwinkle Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) Catharanthus roseus	12-24	12-24	Sun	Excellent heat tolerant selection BUT should NEVER be planted where sprinkler irrigation is used AND should NEVER be planted before June 1 (July 1 is safer!) Mulching is HIGHLY recommended! Dwarf Summer Cluster is the longest standing, most compact variety available.
	With improved varieties and additional colors, Vinca has become a very popular annual in the South. It is heat and drought tolerant, and grows well on poor soils. Do not confuse Catharanthus with the true Vincas, V. minor and V. Major, which are evergreen perennial ground covers.
Petunia. Petunia X hydrida	8-12	12-24	Sun	The Carpet Series is the longest standing hybrid petunias; the V.I.P. and 'Junior' petunia are reseeding, heat-and-cold tolerant petunias for summer and fall; these vining types should be cut back periodically (every 60 days) to avoid overgrowth and severe cutback which can result in plant death.
	Petunias remain a popular flowering annual. They are heat tolerant, but require ample moisture and fertility to thrive. Virtually all colors are available. Several flower forms are also available, including fully double types. The single multiflora varieties are generally best for landscape use.
Portulaca (Moss Rose, Rose Moss) Portulaca grandiflora	12	12-18	Sun	Excellent heat tolerance; Use the Sundial series for a longer daily flower opening.
	Few annuals can match the performance of this low-growing, spreading plant in hot, dry locations. A wide variety of colors are available in single and double flowers. P. oleracea, a close relative; is often grown in hanging baskets.
Salvia Salvia splendens (Scarlet Sage, Red Salvia) S. farinacea (Blue Salvia, Mealy-Cup Salvia)	8-18	8-18	Shade	Needs shade during (Scarlet Sage) summer months; Reseeding variety of S. splendens is Lady-in Red.
	Salvia is a garden staple. In addition to the familiar red, numerous other colors including cream, pink and violet purple are available, ranging in height from 10 to 30 inches. Blue Salvia, a perennial, is often used as an annual.
Zinnia Zinnia elegans	6-36	6-36	Sun	Many colors, heat resistant, use dwarf variety such as Dreamland.
	The Zinnia is a versatile annual. They range in height from six to 36 inches and are available in many different colors and flowers. Zinnias grow well under hot, sunny conditions but need ample moisture to thrive. Creeping Zinnia is a reliable annual for hot, dry areas. The yellow flowers resemble small Zinnias. Plants have a spreading habit of growth and are useful annual groundcovers.

Flowers for All Seasons Index