Transformative Yearly Plants for Redesigning Your Indoor Space
Summer is the perfect time to transform your garden into a vibrant, colourful oasis. Here are the top 10 annual flowers recommended for their continuous and vibrant blooms, ease of cultivation, and adaptability to different garden settings and climates.
1. Petunias
Known for their prolific blooming from spring to first frost, Petunias are a popular choice for gardeners. With a wide range of colours and trumpet-shaped flowers, these annuals prefer full sun and well-draining soil, spreading about 18-24 inches wide.
2. Impatiens
Easy to grow and suitable for both shade and partial shade, Impatiens offer blooms in red, pink, violet, orange, and lavender blue. New Guinea impatiens can even tolerate sunnier spots. Height varies from 10 inches to 3 feet depending on variety.
3. Ageratum (Floss Flower)
Producing fluffy, wispy clumps of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers, Ageratum thrives in moist soil and partial sun in warm climates, full sun in cooler zones. It boasts a long bloom period from last spring frost to the first freeze.
4. Marigolds
Showy yellow, orange, and gold blooms on tall stems make Marigolds hardy, easy-to-grow annuals. They prefer full sun with moist, neutral soil and regular watering. Plus, they have medicinal benefits.
5. Calendula
Ideal to sow in mid-summer for late summer bloom, Calendula offers bright, cheerful flowers. They tolerate cooler conditions and can be used in pots or flower beds.
6. Alyssum
Low-growing, fragrant flowers make Alyssum a great choice for ground cover or containers. It performs well in part shade and prefers cooler conditions. Germinates quickly with flowers appearing within 6-7 weeks.
7. Morning Glory
Fast-growing climbing vines with vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers, Morning Glory is suitable for trellises or fences. It prefers full sun and can reach impressive heights quickly.
8. Salvia ('Plum Crazy' variety)
Noted for its vivid purple flowers and long blooming period, Salvia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
9. Calibrachoa ('Bumble Bee Hot Pink')
Compact plants with abundant small flowers resembling mini petunias, Calibrachoa is great for containers and borders.
10. Begonia ('Viking Explorer Rose on Green')
With attractive foliage and rose-colored blooms, Begonia grows well in shade to partial shade. It's suitable for pots and shaded garden spots.
Other annual flowers worth considering include Gazania, well-adapted to drought-like conditions and typically coming in shades of yellow and orange, with dark vertical stripes on the petals; Dianthus, an annual or perennial plant with a spicy fragrance, nectar laden blooms, and blue-green foliage; Salvia Splendens Red, also known as Scarlet Sage Plant, a dazzling red flower that blooms in warm climates and provides good nectar to butterflies and hummingbirds; Pansies, wild European flowers with extravagant colours and patterns, annual to the winter or fall, and tolerant of mild cold conditions; and Dahlias, flowering annuals with a wide range of sizes, blooming from mid-summer to autumn in exquisite shades of pink, red, orange, and yellow.
These flowers are ideal for various garden settings, including flower beds, rock gardens, and patios. So, get ready to add a splash of colour to your garden this summer!
- To spruce up your indoor space, consider adding a vertical garden with decorative plants like Pansies or Calendula that thrive in cooler conditions.
- For those who love home-and-garden lifestyle and have a nursery at home, try sowing Calibrachoa seeds for compact plants blooming with mini petunia-like flowers.
- If you're keen on gardening and want to create a unique outdoor living area, incorporate Salvia ('Plum Crazy' variety) for its vivid purple flowers and long blooming period into your garden plan.
- To elevate your indoor lifestyle, opt for Begonia ('Viking Explorer Rose on Green') as they grow well in pots and shaded garden spots, adding a touch of beauty to your home.
- Next spring, consider incorporating beginners' friendly annual flowers like Petunias, Marigolds, or Ageratum into your gardens for continuous and vibrant blooms, which will complement any home-and-garden decor.
