Bright Flowering Annuals Thriving Under Full Sunlight Throughout the Seasons
Craving a burst of color in your sun-soaked yard? These eye-catching annuals, adored for their low-fuss nature, will gleefully take up residence in your outdoor oasis, donning a rainbow of hues and textures to captivate your senses. We've quizzed gardening pros on their top sunlover picks.
- Ward Dilmore, Petrus Luxury Estate Landscaping Company
- Laura Janney, The Inspired Garden Masterclass
- Tammy Sons, TN Nursery
Blooming Sensations: Our Favorites for Full Sun
Zinnias
Zinnias burst forth with daisy-esqe blooms, available in a dizzying array of shades: pink, yellow, purple, orange, red, white, and even green. These sun-loving stunners thrive in dry spots and can be a magnet for butterflies and helpful predators, making them great neighbors for your vegetable garden.
- Hardiness Zone: Mostly 2 to 11
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining
Ageratum
Also known as floss flower, Ageratum boasts fuzzy, gleaming blooms in blue, pink, purple, or white. Its diminutive, furry flowers add a delightful contrast to more defined blossoms, and it comes in various sizes to fit various spots in your garden.
Laura Janney of The Inspired Garden Masterclass suggests deadheading blooms to keep them at their best.
- Hardiness Zone: Mostly 2 to 11
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Fertile, well-draining
Marigolds
Iconic Marigolds present pom-pom-like, vibrant flowers in red, gold, orange, or yellow tones. These low-maintenance stunner flowers flourish under the full beaming sun and well-drained soil. Just remember to deadhead them regularly to ensure healthy blooms. Be on the lookout for pesky aphids that may visit.
- Hardiness Zone: Mostly 2 to 11
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Moist, well-drained
Dahlias
Once you lay eyes on the exquisite, show-stopping dahlias, you'll understand why they're hard to beat. The flowers' ruffled petals come in almost every color, including remarkable varieties with double blooms. "Dahlias are truly one-of-a-kind," says Ward Dilmore, "And they make excellent cut flowers."
Dahlias are at their best with at least 6 hours of full sun daily. While they can survive as perennials in warm climates, they are usually treated as annuals elsewhere.
- Hardiness Zone: Mainly 8 to 10
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained, loamy
Geraniums
Vibrant Geraniums can be found in various colorful varieties, boasting flowers with single or double petals. "They are prolific bloomers and are perfect for hot summer days," Dilmore explains, and even enjoy hotter temperatures. While they are incredibly easy-going, they appreciate regular watering for continuous, full-on blooms.
- Hardiness Zone: 10 and 11
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Loamy, well-drained
Angelonia
Angelonia, nicknamed summer snapdragon, flaunts tall, striking blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white. "Just keep cutting them back and deadheading them, and you'll have blooms sprouting all summer long," Janney suggests.
This deer-resistant plant adores full sun and well-drained soil, is heat- and humidity-tolerant, and can withstand drought. Déjà vu? This beauty is sometimes grown as a perennial in warm climates.
- Hardiness Zone: 9 to 11
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining, moist
Sunflowers
Sunflowers, the epitome of sunshine, thrive in shiny, sunlit conditions, just like their name suggests. These towering annuals boast oversized, long-lasting blooms in bright yellow, from summer to early autumn. Their robust, hairy stems can extend up to 15 feet tall.
- Hardiness Zone: 2 to 11
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining
Vinca
Vinca, also called Madagascar periwinkle, is a low-maintenance tropical perennial grown as an annual elsewhere. This hardy plant loves the spotlight, displaying radiant, five-petal blooms in shades of pink, red, purple, or white. Vinca is an excellent addition to containers or the border of your garden. Continuously deadhead vinca to encourage further blooms, advises Janney.
- Hardiness Zone: 9 to 11
- Light: Full or partial sun
- Soil: Loamy, sandy
- The selection of annuals for full sun presented in this article will bring a burst of color to any home's sun-soaked yard, offering a variety of hues and textures to delight the senses.
- Ward Dilmore, from Petrus Luxury Estate Landscaping Company, highlights dahlias as one-of-a-kind annuals, perfect for creating stunning garden displays and ideal cut flowers.
- Laura Janney of The Inspired Garden Masterclass recommends deadheading blooms regularly for Ageratum to keep them looking their best, and suggests cutting back and deadheading Angelonia for continuous summer-long blooms.
- Tammy Sons, TN Nursery, emphasizes the prolific blooming nature of Geraniums, making them ideal for hot summer days.
- Zinnias, with their daisy-esque blooms, are low-maintenance stunners that attract butterflies and beneficial predators, making them great neighbors for vegetable gardens.
- Vinca, a low-maintenance tropical perennial, is a vibrant addition to containers or garden borders. Continuously deadheading vinca will encourage further blooms, according to Laura Janney.
Home and garden enthusiasts can combine these blooming sensations for an outdoor gardening haven that will undeniably upgrade their lifestyle. The e7cbece3e92767dff25cd0348fe6119a dnl (do not link) of this delightful home-and-garden gardening journey awaits.
