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30 Best Annual Flowers That Every Gardener Should Plant This Spring

Incredibly eye-catching, nothing brings vibrant, long-lasting color to the flower beds better than annual flowers.

Unlike perennial plants that come back year after year, annual flowers burst into bloom and show off their stuff for one year only.

Loads of annuals are fast growing, putting on their foliage, masses of gorgeous blossoms, and even produce seeds, all in a singular year.

Annuals come in every imaginable shade, giving the flower garden a huge colorful boom with every bloom.

Abundant, long-lasting blossoms erupt in spring and last through the summer, often persisting through late fall.

With annual flowers, some like it hot and are drought tolerant, while others prefer shady and moist conditions.

Many annual flowers are frost hardy and can be grown from direct seeding outdoors in early spring.

However, some annual flowers can be frost tender and suffer damage or die in cold temperatures.

Annual flowers have so many uses in the garden!

30 Best Annual Flowers That Every Gardener Should Plant This Spring

1. Petunia (Petunia)

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Fertile Soil

Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy

Height: 6 to 24 Inches Tall and Up To 36 Inches Wide

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Mass Plantings, Groundcover, and Hanging Baskets

Planting Role: Filler and Spiller

Bloom Size: 3-to-4-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Purple, Violet, Lavender, Blue, Black

2. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)

Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade.

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Slightly Acidic Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 1 to 10 Feet Tall and Up To 3 Feet Wide

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Groundcover, Edible, Medicinal.

Planting Role: Filler and Spiller.

Bloom Size: 2-to-3-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink

3. Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)

Light Requirements: Full to Part Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Moist, Cool Soil

Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy

Height: 4 to 6 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Twining Vine, Border, Woodland Garden, Fragrant, and Flower Cutting Garden

Planting Role: Spiller and Thriller

Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Blossoms.

Bloom Colors: White, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Violet, Lavender, and Blue.

4. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Drought-Tolerant, Well-Draining Sandy Soil

Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy

Height: 6 to 12 Inches Tall and Wide

Uses: Bedding Plant, Xeriscaping, Dry Wildflower Garden

Planting Role: Filler

Bloom Size: 2-to-3-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink, and White

5. Marigold (Tagetes)

Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Fertile Soil

Frost Hardy: Tender to Semi-Frost Hardy

Height: From 6 Inches to 3 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Vegetable Garden Companion Plant.

Planting Role: Filler and Thriller

Bloom Size: 1-to-4-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Cream, Yellow, Orange, and Red

6. Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Light Requirements: Full to Part Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Neutral Soil and Drought Tolerant

Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy

Height: 4 to 10 Inches Tall, 10 to 48 Inches Wide

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Mass Planting, Xeriscaping, and Fragrant Gardens.

Planting Role: Filler and Spiller

Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Flower Clusters.

Bloom Colors: White, Pink, Purple, and Lavender

7. Lobelia (Lobelia)

Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist Rich Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 6 to 9 Inches Tall and Wide

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Flower Border, Ground Cover, Rock Gardens, Containers and Hanging Baskets

Planting Role: Filler and Spiller

Bloom Size: Masses 1/2-to-1-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: White, Mauve, Purple, Violet, and Blue

8. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Regular Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 10 to 12 Inches Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Mass Plantings, Herb, and Vegetable Gardens.

Planting Role: Filler

Bloom Size: 2-to-3-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, and Red

9. Cosmos (Cosmos)

Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Poor, Dry Soil

Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy

Height: 2 to 6 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Container, Xeriscaping, Wildflower Garden, and Butterfly Gardens

Planting Role: Thriller

Bloom Size: 3-to-5-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Rose, Pink, Violet, and Lavender

10. Zinnia (Zinnia)

Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 1 to 4 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Pollinator Garden, Mass Planting, Borders, and Cut Flower Gardens

Planting Role: Thriller

Bloom Size: 2-to-3-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, and Red

11. Sunflower (Helianthus)

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Moist, Neutral Soil

Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy

Height: 2 to 10 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Mass Planting, Cut Flowers, Edible Seeds

Planting Role: Thriller

Bloom Size: 4-to-20-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Yellow, Orange, and Red

12. Begonia (Begonia)

Light Requirements: Partial Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist, Rich Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 8 Inches to 3 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Baskets, Containers, Shade, and Rain Gardens.

Planting Role: Filler and Spiller

Bloom Size: 1-to-3-inch Single or Double Blossoms in Clusters.

Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Coral, Red, and Pink

13. Celosia (Celosia)

Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining, Nutrient-Rich Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 6 Inches to 3 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Mass Planting, and Edible Gardens.

Planting Role: Thriller

Bloom Size: Feather Plumes Up To 4 inches Tall

Bloom Colors: Hot Vibrant Shades of Yellow, Orange, Purple, White, Pink, Maroon, and Red

14. Geranium (Pelargonium)

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Light Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining, Loose, Rich Soil

Frost Hardy: Semi Hardy

Height: 6 Inches to 4 Feet Tall

Uses: Famous in Window Boxes, Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Baskets, Containers, Herb Garden, and Fragrance Garden

Planting Role: Filler, Spiller (Ivy Geraniums), Thriller

Bloom Size: 2-to-4-inch Terminal Flower Clusters.

Bloom Colors: White, Red, Rose, Pink, Purple, and Violet

15. Impatiens (Impatiens)

Light Requirements: Partial to Full Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist, Well-Draining, Rich Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 6 to 24 Inches Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Window Boxes, Containers, Rain Garden, and Shade Garden.

Planting Role: Filler and Thriller

Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Single and Double Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Vibrant Pastels in White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Coral, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, and Violet

16. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum)

Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining, Rich, Moist Soil

Frost Hardy: Semi Hardy

Height: 6 to 48 Inches Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Basket Stuffer, Containers, Cut Flower Garden, Mass Plantings, Flower Border, Children’s Garden, Pollinator Garden.

Planting Role: Filler and Thriller

Bloom Size: Tall Flower Spikes with Whorls of 1-to-2-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Rich Saturated Shades of White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Purple, Violet, and Lavender

17. Million Bells (Calibrachoa)

Light Requirements: Full Sun, Drought, Heat Tolerant with Some Shade Protection.

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining, Moist, Organically Rich Soil

Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy

Height: 6 to 12 Inches Tall, 12 to 24 Inches Wide

Uses: Bedding Plant, Mass Planting, Rock Garden, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes, and Containers

Planting Role: Filler and Spiller

Bloom Size: Abundant 1-to-2-inch Five Fused Petaled Tubular Flowers Resemble Petunia Blossoms

Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Purple, Violet, Lavender, Blue, and Black

18. Vinca (Vinca)

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Sandy-Loam Soil

Frost Hardy: Semi-Frost Hardy

Height: 15 Inches Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Woodland Garden, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Basket, and Containers

Planting Role: Filler and Spiller

Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Single Blossoms

Bloom Colors: White, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Violet, Lavender, and Blue Some With Contrasting Centers.

19. Portulaca (Portulaca)

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Warm, Dry, Well-Draining Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 8 Inches Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Rock Garden, Borders, Basket Stuffer, Containers, and Window Boxes

Planting Role: Filler and Spiller

Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Single and Double Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Vibrant Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink, Purple, Violet, and Magenta

20. Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens)

Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist, Well-Draining Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 1 to 2 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Mass Planting, Edging and Border Planting, Basket Stuffer, Containers, and Pollinator Garden

Planting Role: Thriller

Bloom Size: 2-to-6-inch Flower Spikes

Bloom Colors: Famously Red and Scarlet, but Also Orange, Pink, Purple, and Blue

21. Stock (Matthiola incana)

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Rich, Well-Draining Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy

Height: 1 to 3 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Fragrant and Cut Flower Gardens, Basket Stuffer, Containers, and Window Boxes.

Planting Role: Thriller

Bloom Size: 1-to-3-inch Single or Double Fragrant Flower Clusters

Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Red, Rose, Pink, Purple, Violet, and Lavender

22. Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Light Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist, Well-Draining, Loose, Loamy, Fertile Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy

Height: 1 to 2 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Borders, Self-Seeding Garden, Cut and Fragrant Garden, Cottage Gardens, Basket Stuffer, Patio Containers, and Window Boxes.

Planting Role: Thriller

Bloom Size: Brightly Colored Frilly Flower Clusters are 3 to 4 Inches Wide.

Bloom Colors: Bicolor Combinations of White, Red, and Pink.

23. Nemesia (Nemesia)

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Sandy Fertile Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 8 Inches to 2 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Border, Rock Garden, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Basket, and Containers

Planting Role: Filler and Spiller

Bloom Size: Masses of 1-to-2-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Spotted, Striped, Bicolor in White, Orange, Red, Pink, and Blue

24. Pansy (Viola tricolor var. hortensis)

Light Requirements: Partial Shade or Dappled Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Rich, Moist, Well-Draining Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy

Height: 9 to 12 Inches Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Mass Planting, Shade Garden, Natural Garden, Basket Stuffer, Containers, and Hanging Baskets

Planting Role: Filler and Thriller

Bloom Size: 1-to-4-inch Sunny-Faced Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Bicolor and Solid White, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Purple, Violet, Blue, and Black

25. Verbena (Verbena)

Light Requirements: Full Sun with Some Shelter

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Moist Fertile Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 12 Inches Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Ground Cover, Edging, Basket Stuffer, Hanging Baskets, Containers, Fragrant Gardens, Window Boxes

Planting Role: Spiller

Bloom Size: Dense 3-to-4-inch Fragrant Flower Clusters.

Bloom Colors: White, Red, Rose, Pink, Mauve, Purple, Violet, Lavender, and Blue

26. Flowering Kale (Brassica oleracea)

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Moist, Rich, Well-Draining Soil

Frost Hardy: Very Frost Hardy

Height: 1 to 3 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Fall and Winter Gardens, Edible Gardens, Basket Stuffer, and Containers

Planting Role: Filler

Bloom Size: Rosette of leaves are flower-like and make large textural floral statement.

Bloom Colors: White, Cream, Yellow, Rose, Pink, and Purple

27. African Daisy (Osteospermum)

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Heat and Drought Tolerant, Well-Draining, Acidic, Fertile Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Tender

Height: 1 to 3 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Borders, Edging, Mass Planting, Basket Stuffer, Containers, Window Boxes

Planting Role: Filler and Thriller

Bloom Size: 2-to-4-inch Daisy-Like Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Vivid Contrasting Radiating Colors of White, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Blue

28. Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Moist, Clay, Loam Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy

Height: 1 to 3 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Wildflower Garden, Cut Flower, and Dried Flower Arrangements

Planting Role: Filler

Bloom Size: 1-to-2-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Mauve, Purple, Violet, Lavender, and Blue

29. Flax (Linum usitatissimum)

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Sandy, Average, Well-Draining Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy

Height: 1 to 3 Feet Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Meadows, Cottage Gardens, Natural Gardens, Pollinator Gardens

Planting Role: Filler

Bloom Size: 1-inch Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Blue

30. Poppy (Papaver)

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Soil and Moisture Needs: Well-Draining Average Garden Soil

Frost Hardy: Frost Hardy

Height: 9 to 18 Inches Tall

Uses: Bedding Plant, Naturalized Gardens, Cottage Gardens, Self-Seeding Gardens.

Planting Role: Filler and Thriller

Bloom Size: 2-to-4-inch Papery Blossoms

Bloom Colors: Saturated or Pastel Shades of White, Red, Rose, Coral, Pink, Mauve, Purple, Violet, Lavender

Annual flower gardening is arguably the most rewarding of all flower gardening. It is perfect for renters, container gardening, and anywhere you want to add splashes of seasonal color.

Enjoy!