A colorful planting of annual flowers can stop traffic. And a fabulous display is so easy to achieve! Start seeds ahead and plant the seedlings outdoors when they’ve reached a sturdy size, or sow them directly in the garden and thin the seedlings so that they’re not over-crowded. Mix and match hues, or go with a warm theme of reds, oranges, and yellows, or a cool theme of purples, lavenders, and pinks. Or you can create a white garden that glows in the moonlight. You simply can’t go wrong. 

Tall Showstoppers

Sunflowers and zinnias are easy to grow from seed, and make for a satisfying and vibrant full-sun garden. Combine them with other tall bloomers for added interest in your sunny garden.

Tithonia, or Mexican Sunflower, is popular with butterflies. It grows best in poor to average well-drained soil. ‘Torch’, the standard variety can grow 6 ft tall and 4 ft wide, so give it plenty of space. Sow seed directly in the garden in late spring, or start indoors a month ahead and plant seedlings outdoors once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C).

Larkspur combines well with other tall flowers and attracts hummingbirds. Upright and airy, it blooms earlier than heat-loving sunflowers and zinnias, and grows best in well-drained soils. Sow seeds directly in the garden in early spring, or in fall for blooms the following year. 

Tall Verbena, Verbena bonariensis, has an upright and “see-through” habit, and is another butterfly favorite. Sow seed directly in the garden in spring, or start indoors a month ahead and plant seedlings outdoors once nighttime temperatures are consistently over 50°F (10°C).

Sunflowers come in all sizes, from 1-2 ft tall to towering 15 ft giants. For continuous bloom, chose branching varieties. Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in late spring, or started indoors a month ahead and planted outdoors once nighttime temperatures are consistently over 50°F (10°C). Sunflowers attract pollinators of all kinds, and well as finches and other seed-eating birds.

Zinnias are also available in a variety of heights, from 1 to 4 ft, and are among the easiest of flowers to grow from seed. Sow seed directly in the garden in late spring, or start indoors a month ahead and plant seedlings outdoors once nighttime temperatures are consistently over 50°F (10°C).

Mid-Sized and Bushy

Marigolds, warm hued and dependable, can grow anywhere from 6 inches in height to 3 ft. French marigolds are generally more compact, and have single or double flowers, while African marigolds are more robust, both in habit and flower size. Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in late spring, or started indoors a month ahead and planted outdoors once nighttime temperatures are consistently over 50°F (10°C).

“Landscaping” Zinnias, such as Profusion or Zahara zinnias, have a mounded habit, growing to about 18 inches in height. They come in a variety of colors, never need deadheading, and bloom all season. Start seeds 4-6 weeks before planting seedlings outdoors when it is safe to do so – when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C).

Celosias are in the amaranth family, and have various forms. The most popular are the plumed celosias, which have feathery flowers. Spaced 8-10 inches apart, they create a mass of fiery color. Depending on the variety, plumed celosias will grow 18-30 inches tall. Start seeds about 6 weeks before planting seedlings outdoors – when nighttime temperatures are consistently over 50°F (10°C).

Salvias, such as Salvia farinácea (Blue Sage) and Salvia splendens (Scarlet Sage), are easy to start from seed. Growing up to 3 feet in height, they attract hummingbirds and are generally not bothered by deer. Start seeds about 6 weeks before planting seedlings outdoors – when nighttime temperatures are consistently over 50°F (10°C).

For the Smaller Garden

Dwarf Marigolds, including the Signet Marigolds, grow only 8-12 inches tall, and are every bit as dependable as the taller types. Similarly to the taller types, seeds can be sown directly in the garden in late spring, or started indoors a month ahead and planted outdoors once nighttime temperatures are consistently over 50°F (10°C).

Compact Nasturtiums grow in a mound to about 12 inches in height, and are best sown directly in the garden soil. Poke the large seeds into the soil about an inch deep and 3-4 inches apart, and thin to about 10 inches once they have a couple of sets of leaves.  Flowers are edible.

Dwarf Ageratums make an excellent bedding plant in a small garden. Growing to about 12 inches, they produce a profusion of powder puff blooms that attract butterflies. Start seeds about 6 weeks before planting seedlings outdoors – when nighttime temperatures are consistently over 50°F (10°C).

Calendula seeds can be sown directly in the garden in spring and will bloom within 2 months of being sown. Sow seeds an inch apart, and thin young plants to about 8 inches. They thrive in cool weather—in mild winter areas, they can bloom from late fall through spring! In temperate regions, try a second planting in early fall. Compact varieties grow to about 12 inches in height, and larger varieties can reach 2 ft or more.