Do you want to add a burst of color around your property? It doesn’t matter whether your garden is a group of containers on a city balcony or large country plot, easy to grow annuals will make it happen.
The good thing, you can raise nearly all summer bedding plants from germination through to pricking tiny seedlings. However, if you don’t have enough space or time to raise fiddly seedlings, our bedding plants will get your garden started. These include the following.
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Petunias
Supeturtunia, also known as Mulberry Charm-shown here- is a petunia hybrid. The flowers are soft perennials in USDA zones of 9-11. However, many people grow flowers as annuals. Their plants can tolerate heat, allowing them to bloom throughout the year, filling beds, gardens, and borders with color. Though petunias grow in partial shades, they’ll blossom more in full sun.
If you opt to grow this flower, water it regularly and apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. See the products label for more details. Remember to remove all the fading flowers allowing them to blossom even more.
Antirrhinum
The architectural flower spikes and long flowering period makes this flower a gold to most people. The plant has fascinating mouth-like flowers that open when squeezed. This feature makes the flower favorite with children.
Antirrhinum is available in a wide range of strong and vibrant colors. Further, the plants vary in height. The dwarf plant grows to a maximum of 25 cm, while large plants like antirrhinum ‘Royal Bride’ grow to 90 cm. Due to their height, dwarf snapdragons are ideal for beds, borders, and patio containers.
If you want to rear bees, you’ll need flowers to attract bees. Well, look no more, antirrhinum are the perfect plants for this role. They have a good nectar source that makes them ideal with bumblebees.
Garden Cosmos
Garden Cosmos is a perennial flower that grows between 2 to 5 feet. Its main blossoms are either white, crimson or pink. Well, garden cosmos is easier to grow from seedlings and at times, self-sows. Be cautious! The plant doesn’t tolerate rich soil.
So, do you want a variety of colors in your garden? If so, Cosmos is your ideal choice from the sunflower family. Its primary colors include pink, white orange, scarlet, and yellow. The flowers are quick to grow and easier to maintain. You’ll love how the taller varieties dance in a breeze.
Impatiens walleriana
The plant is commonly known as the busy Lizzie. The sub-shrubby perennial is grown as an annual flower. It grows best in a fast-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter and a filtered light or shade.
If you plant in a nursery, loosen the root balls when transferring it to the potting soil. Make sure you don’t bury the crown. After the transfer, water the plant, wait for the first two inches of soil to dry before you water again. Steer clear of fertilizers, whether organic or inorganic, until the plant starts to grow. From here, feed your plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Impatiens make good bedding or container plants.
Geraniums
Most geraniums or pelargoniums are perennial flowers grown as annuals in freezing-winter climates. Its plants prefer full sun, although they’ll require shade in a hot afternoon. Ensure the plant is on the dry side, always.
Therefore, pelargoniums perform best in a dry environment with warm days and cool nights. With this, you can grow them outdoors, all year round in mild-California climates. In other places, geraniums are popular indoor, bedding, or container plants.
Remember to move the outdoor plant indoors before the beginning of cold weather. Alternatively, you can take cuttings in preparation for next year. Once inside, keep the plant near a sunny window.
Geraniums require fast-draining soil that’s rich in minerals and frequent pinching back to maintain the bushy plant. Be cautious of spider mites, whitefly, or geranium budworms.
If you want to increase the flower growth and production, fertilize during the plant’s active growth.
Marigolds
These are easy and dependable annuals in need of full sun and well-drained soil. The flower is available in different types and size ranging from few inches in height to few inches.
The plant comes in red, white, orange, yellow, or a combination of these colors. According to popular belief, marigolds help repel pests and insects, making them ideal in vegetable gardens.
Zinnias
Zinnias are easy-to-care flowers that come in a variety of forms and colors. All zinnia plants require a well-drained soil that’s rich in organic substances and an adequate supply of sunlight.
Once you plant these flowers, keep them moist and not soggy. After some time, the plant can tolerate drought. You can remove some spent flowers to encourage more blossoms.
Moss Rose
Also known as Portulaca, it’s a petite flower that grows from 4 to 8 inches tall. The plant is easy to grow but doesn’t tolerate high humid levels. Its colors include orange, white, salmon, pink, magenta, and yellow.
Pentas
Pentas are sun-loving flowers that invite hummingbirds and butterflies to your summer gardens. Despite their ability to survive through winter, most people grow them as annuals. Its flowers are available in red, white, purple, and lavender. The flower works best in any well-drained soil.
Scaevola Fan Flower
Also known as fan flowers. The flower which is grown as an annual thrives best in fertile soil. It can take full sun to light shade. After planting, keep the plants hydrated, allowing them to tolerate heat and drought. The flower is in different colors, including blue, pink, or white.
