Flowering annuals come in all sorts of types, heights, colours and uses but the most special and rewarding flower garden comes from the mass of colour they deliver.
Annuals need replacing in spring/summer and in autumn/winter so there is more work found in planting annuals, but a true green thumb enjoys the challenge and even changes things up from season to season by buying different plants each time.
For best results in achieving an impact of colour, they should be planted in borders or masses, although flowering annuals look just as good in pots and containers!
Recommended Plants and Planting
Whilst the range of annuals available is quite large, the following list covers the most popular and best performers. The planting and flowering times stated below may vary with variety and from season to season.
Autumn Planting |
Planting Time |
Flowering Period |
Alyssum |
March - April |
Aug-Oct |
Calendula |
March - May |
June - Oct |
Lobelia |
March - May |
May - Sept |
Nemesia |
March - May |
April - Sept |
Pansy |
March - May |
May - Oct |
Polyanthus |
April - July |
June - Oct |
Poppy |
March - April |
Aug - Oct |
Primula |
March - May |
May - Sept |
Stock |
March - May |
June - Sept |
Sweet Pea (early flowering) |
April |
Oct - Nov |
Viola |
March - May |
June - Oct |
|
|
|
Spring Planting |
Planting Time |
Flowering Time |
Alyssum |
Sept- Dec |
Oct - April |
Cosmos |
Oct - Dec |
Dec- April |
Dahlia |
Oct - Dec |
Dec - April |
Impatiens (Bizzy Lizzies) |
Oct Dec |
Dec - April |
Livingstone Daisy |
Oct - Jan |
Dec - April |
Lobelia |
Aug - Dec |
Oct - April |
Marigold |
Sept - Dec |
Nov - April |
Petunia |
Oct - Jan |
Dec April |
Phlox |
Sept - Dec |
Nov - Mar |
Portulacca |
Oct - Jan |
Dec - April |
Sweet Pea |
Sept - Nov |
Dec - Feb |
Zinnia |
Nov - Jan |
Dec - Mar |