Growing Annual Flowers

by Cheryl Moore-Gough, Extension Horticulture Specialist, and Robert E.

Gough, Professor of Horticulture, MSU

Planning flower gardens, starting plants indoors and caring for a garden.
Includes diagrams and table of ornamental and cultural characteristics of 73
common flowers.
MontGuide
MT199501AG Reviewed 3/11

ANNUAL FLOWERS MAY SOLVE

many landscape problems. No other
plants provide such continuous
bloom. They fill voids in permanent
plantings while young woody plants
grow, and provide inexpensive color
and cut flowers in almost any soil.
Annuals are used in perennial plant
beds to continue interest following
early blooming bulbs and perennials.
They can be transplanted or direct- Low plants (front and sides)
seeded into the spot where tulip
and daffodil blooms have faded, or Intermediate size (center)
planted in front of woody flowering
shrubs to provide further interest Tall plants to rear (center)
through the season.
If you want plenty of cut flowers, Backdrop of shrubs or fence
devote a separate area of the garden to
annuals, but be sure to coordinate it
with the overall landscape plan. FIGURE 1. Color and size transition. Blocks of each annual planted in drifts.

Planning the Flower Border

The annual flower border can be an attractive element in
the overall landscape if you follow a few simple guidelines.
Curve the bed lines of an informal planting and plant
masses of individual flowers in drifts which gradually
melt into each other (Figure 1). Formal plantings have
angular bed lines. When annual beds include perennials,
mass the annuals together to simplify management.
Graduate plant heights from front to back, and use low
perennials in front.
Make the bed at least 3 feet but no more than 5 feet
deep to allow for working the bed from its border. If it
must be deeper than 5 feet, plan stepping stones or a
small path to allow access to the interior of the bed.
To be effective, each flower mass should be large
enough to be clearly seen from a distance. Use the warm
or advancing colors (red, orange, yellow) in smaller masses
to subordinate them; use cool or receding colors (blue,
violet, green) in larger masses to contrast with the warm
ones. The color wheel (Figure 2) will help you understand
color use. Each cool color opposes a warm color. Colors
across the wheel from each other are complementary and
provide strong contrast. Adjacent colors are analogous and
provide subtle color transitions. If you dont want strong
accent, dont arrange flowers with warm colors next to
those with cool colors.

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 Analogous Colors
Use a soiless potting mix containing peat moss and
Red Re
ge perlite. Or, you can use a mix containing 50 percent loam
/O ran d/V
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ed et soil, 25 percent peat moss, and 25 percent washed sand
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ge to start your seeds indoors. If you use the soil mix be sure
to sterilize it to reduce the chances of seedling damping-

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Complementary Colors
mp

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off. Place moist soil into shallow trays and put these into

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Orange
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m
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Ye

above for the regular oven. Soiless mixes usually need no

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ow

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Analogous Colors
FIGURE 2. Color Wheel
Color creates moods. Warm colors exhilarate and
stimulate while cool colors relax the viewer. Let cool
colors predominate in areas devoted to rest and relaxation.
Warm colors command and direct attention to specific
areas in the landscape.
Youll find an example of an annual flower border with
proper size and choice of plants in Figure 3. All flower
borders, whether annual or perennial, are most attractive
against a fence of neutral color or against a shrub
background (Figure 1).
Starting Plants Indoors
Many annuals perform better if started indoors and
transplanted into the garden. You can determine indoor
planting time by finding the number of days from seed to
flower on the seed packet. Table 1 includes some general
information about planting dates for inside or outside
sowing.
Many people plant seeds too early. This results in an
oversized, leggy transplant that is susceptible to damping-
off disease. Legginess is often caused by low indoor light
levels and/or by too high a temperature. Let an electric
fan blow air across your plantsthe plant movement will
help form stocky plants. You must coordinate the date of
sowing with the average date of last frost in your location.
For much of western Montana, seed about April 1 since
the date of last frost is often close to June 1. March 15
may be a better date in much of eastern Montana. The
right time to start seedlings also depends upon the species.
Trial and error is the only way to determine a more precise
time for your specific location and flower species.
2
Blu
sterilization.
n Screen the soil or mix to a fine texture, fill pots or trays,
ree
e/G
and firm and moisten it before planting. Scatter small
Blu seeds over the surface and cover them with mix to a depth
equivalent to twice their largest diameter. Label the seeded
flats to maintain plant identity. Cover seeded containers
with a plastic sheet to maintain relatively high humidity,
and with newspaper to shade the media surface unless the
seed trays are kept out of direct sun. Most seeds germinate
well at temperatures between 50 and 80F. Spider flower
(Cleome) and petunia (Petunia) germinate better at warm
temperatures (70-80F). Seeds of species that prefer cooler
temperatures include African daisy (Arctotis), candy tuft
(Iberis), bachelor button (Centaurea), clarkia (Clarkia),
godetia (Clarkia sp.), and larkspur (Delphinium). Remove
the newspaper after the seeds germinate.
Bottom -water the seeded flats or pots by placing the
containers in shallow trays of water and allowing water
to move up through the mix. Watering from above can
disturb or damage the fine seeds or small seedlings.
Transplant the seedlings to flats or individual
containers when they have reached the 2-3 leaf stage. Peat
pots are popular but styrofoam cups with holes punched
in the bottom work well also. Place the transplants in
a greenhouse or a hot bed if you can. A south-facing
window with added grow lights will do if other facilities
are not available. Be sure to harden-off the plants before
you transplant them to the garden by gradually exposing
them to cooler nights over a 1 to 2 week period.
Setting out the Plants
Most annuals dont require very rich soil but they do
need an adequate supply of nutrients. Work into your
bed area a complete fertilizer at the rate pound of
actual nitrogen per 100 square feet. Using 5-10-10
fertilizer, 5 pounds of fertilizer per 100 square feet is the
right amount. Also work in organic matter such as peat
moss, compost or well-decayed manure to improve soil
structure. Most annuals grow best at a soil pH of between
6.5 and 7.5. Attention to fertility now will help produce
vigorous, healthy plants and blooms later on.
 Shrubs

Yellow Blue White Rose White Blue Yellow

Blue White Rose Blue Rose White Blue

White Yellow White

Rose Blue Blue Rose

SUGGESTED ANNUALS FOR THE ABOVE DESIGN

Suggested plants in
Color Sun Shade*
Row/Height
A (18) Yellow Marigold, Zinnia Monkey Flower, China Aster*, Cosmos*
Blue Larkspur, Verbena, Scabiosa Forgetmenot, Lupine*, Verbena*
White Nicotiana, Zinnia, Lavender Balsam, Sweet Sultan
Red Celosia, Zinnia Celosia*, Painted Daisy*, Verbena*
B (12) Blue Ageratum, Centaurea, Petunia, Salvia Bellflower*, Petunia*
White Stocks, Phlox, Dimorphotheca Wax Begonia*
Rose Phlox, Petunia, Zinnia Wax Begonia*
C (8) White Alyssum, Petunia Lobelia, Dianthus*, Alyssum*
Rose Verbena, Moss rose, pansy Dianthus*, Impatiens
Blue Ageratum, Lobelia, Pansy Pansy, Lobelia*, Moss rose*
Yellow Marigold, Pansy Pansy

*
Adapted to light shade only
FIGURE 3. Color sequences and size considerations in an annual flower border.
.
Plant outdoors late in the afternoon on a cloudy day waterings are better than light, frequent ones. At least
when soil is moist to help reduce transplant shock. the top 6 inches of soil should feel moist and cool. Use
Spacing depends upon the species. Plant giant zinnias 18 drip irrigation during flowering to prevent browning of the
inches apart, but alyssum only 6 inches apart. blooms by water puddling on them.
Annuals that are direct-seeded will need thinning before Remove spent blossoms (deadhead) to force a longer
they become crowded. Failure to do this will result in continuous bloom period and fertilize your plants weekly
overcrowding and spindly plants with few flowers. with a liquid fertilizer.

Pinching Fall Clean-up

Some annuals require pinching during the thinning or
transplanting process. Pinching increases the number of
blooms and forms a more stocky plant. Ageratum, Browallia,
Calendula, Chrysanthemum, Petunia, Phlox, Dianthus,
Salpiglossis, Schizanthus, Antirrhinum, Verbena and Zinnia
all benefit from having their tips pinched. DO NOT pinch
impatiens, cockscomb, everlastings, poppies or stocks.
Aftercare
Hoe weeds to keep them from competing with your
flowers for water and nutrients. A mulch of fine bark will
decrease weed competition, conserve soil moisture, and
lower high summer soil temperatures for better plant
growth.
Water your plants during warm dry periods to assure
continuous plant development. Infrequent, deep
Remove all annual plants after fall freeze to reduce the
chances that disease organisms will be carried over into the
next season. Till or turn the soil to remove weeds and leave
it in good condition for spring planting. If it needs more
organic matter, add it during fall tilling.
Annuals that reseed
Some annual species reseed themselves. If you want
this to happen, leave the plants in place until the seeds
have shed, then clean up the spent leaves and stems.
Browallia, California poppy, calliopsis, cornflower,
Cosmos, four-oclock, Gypsophila, rocket larkspur,
morning-glory, Petunia, pot marigold, rose moss,
mealycup sage, snapdragon, snow-on-the-mountain,
spider flower, summer cypress and sweet alyssum are
some species that will reseed in your garden.
3
4
TABLE 1. Ornamental and cultural characteristics of annual flowers.

Plant Name Uses Color Height Bloom Period Exposure Planting Time How Propagated Limitations Remarks
African Daisy White, orange & Seed or Will not flower well
General 12 - 30 July, August Full sun After frost Has woolly leaves
Arctotis spp. steel blue transplants during hot nights
Ageratum General, Lavender blue, July to Prefers warm
3 - 10 Partial shade After frost Transplants Deer resistant
Ageratum spp edging, planters white, pinkish September climate
Alyssum (Sweet) Borders, White, purple, June to Seed or transplants,
9 Partial shade After frost Widely adapted Will reseed itself
Lobularia maritima edgings pinkish September cuttings
Seed indoors,
Baby Blue Eyes Borders, Sky blue with May to Sunny to Sow in flats in Cut flowers do not
6 - 8 plant outdoors
Nemophila menziesii pot plants white centers September partial shade March last long
after frost
Bachelor Button
Blue, rose, white, Late spring, Cool nights needed Often reseeds
(Corn Flower) Cut flowers 12 - 18 Full sun Early spring Seed
mauve, purple early summer for flowering itself
Centaurea cyanus
Balsam (See Impatiens)
Basket Flower Cut flowers Pink, purplish to Late spring, Cool nights needed
24 - 60 Sunny Early spring Seed
Centaurea americana and borders white early summer for flowering
Wax Begonia Bedding plants,
White, Pink, Red 12 - 18 Continuous Partial shade After frost Transplants Indoor plant, also
Begonia semperflorens planters
Black-eyed Susan Golden-yellow Gloriosa daisies
Summer and Prefers warm
(Annual Coneflower) General petals with dark 24 - 36 Full sun Early spring Seed are tetraploid
fall climate
Rudbeckia hirta brown centers forms of this
Browallia Late summer Cuttings or Prefers warm Several forms
General Blue 9 - 30 Full sun After frost
Browallia spp. and fall seeds climate available
Calendula Rather dry soil.
Yellow, yellowish
(Pot Marigold) General 18 - 36 July to autumn Full sun Early spring Seed Does not like hot Deer-resistant
to orange
Calendula officinalis humid weather
Perpetuates
California Poppy Yellow, orange
General 12 - 18 Summer Full sun Early spring Seed Light, sandy soil itself by self-sown
Eschscholzia californica orange-red, red
seeds
Calliopsis (Tickseed) Yellow, maroon, Late April or Lodges in high
General 12 - 18 July and August Full sun Seed Drought tolerant
Coreopsis tinctoria crimson May wind or heavy rain
White, pink,
Candytuft Needs well-drained Good in cool
Flower borders mauve, purple, 10 Summer to fall Sunny Spring Seed
Iberis umbellata soil climates
crimson,
Lavender, yellow
18 - 30
China Aster General, indoor center; rose, August and Seed or Thrives in fairly
Dwarf: Partial shade After frost Prefers cool nights
Callistephus chinensis decoration pink, crimson, September transplants alkaline soils
6 - 12
white
One species
Crimson, white
Clarkia Clarkia spp. General 12 - 36 June and July Sunny Early May Seed Prefers cool nights native in western
to purple
Montana
 TABLE 1. Continued.
Plant Name Uses Color Height Bloom Period Exposure Planting Time How Propagated Limitations Remarks
Cleome Pink, white, rosy
Immediately Seeds or Subject to flea
(Spider Flower) General purple, golden 36 - 72 July and August Sunny Moist soil tolerant
after frost transplants beetles
Cleome hasslerana yellow
Cockscomb Plumosa forms
Cockscomb General winter Crimson, red, Summer and Seeds or
12 - 36 Sunny Spring requires warm best in mountain
Celosia cristata bouquets rose autumn transplants
climate valleys
Corn Flower (See Bachelor Button)
Cosmos White, pink, Protect from high
General, table Summer and
Cosmos bipinnatus & yellow, crimson, 30 - 48 Sunny After frost Transplants winds. Do not over- Drought-tolerant
decorations early fall
Cosmos sulphureus magenta fertilize.
Sunny; but Start inside, Annual forms may
Dahlia Summer and Tubers, cuttings, Needs well-drained
General All except blue Variable will tolerate transplant after be grown from
Dahlia hybrids fall transplants soil
semi-shade frost seed
Delphinium
Blue, rose, pink, Adequate moisture, Tolerates alkaline
(Annual Larkspur) General 12 - 36 July & August Sunny April Seeds
mauve, white fertile soil conditions
Cronsolida ambigua
Forget-me-not Edgings, Late spring, Not drought
Blue 8 - 18 Partial shade After frost Transplants Will self-sow
Myosotis sylvatica ground cover early summer resistant
Four OClock Mid-summer to Shade
Borders White, red, yellow 3 feet After frost Tubers and seed Very tender
Marabilis jalapa frost tolerant
Foxglove General Seed or Biennial or
Purple, white 5 feet June & July Partial shade
Digitalis purpurea (Medicine) transplants perennial

Gaillardia Yellow, reddish

Cut flowers, Seed or Self-seeds,
(Blanket flower) grays,purple 24 July to frost Full sun Spring Well-drained soil
borders transplants perennial types
Gaillardia spp. & hybrids centers

Bedding
Geranium Red, pink, Mid to late Cuttings, Ivy types for
plants, 12 - 18 Full sun After frost
Pelargonium hortorum salmon, white summer transplants hanging baskets
planters
Many species
Gilia Gilia micrantha White, light blue, in western
Borders 15 - 24 Mid-summer Sunny April Seed
and Gilia tricolor purple, mauve N. America, some
annual.
Gladiola Late summer, Best as a specialty Store corms in
Cutting Numerous 15 - 45 Sunny Early spring Corms
Gladiolus hybridus fall flower cool, moist place
Globe-Amaranthus Reddish, purple, Early spring or Transplants &
General, drying 12 - 24 Summer, fall Sunny Easy to grow Drought tolerant
Gomphrena globosa crimson, white summer direct seeding
Difficult to
Godetia Borders, Red-white, lilac, Late spring and Seeds or
12 Sunny April transplant. Cool Sandy soil
Clarkia amoena cut flowers purple summer transplants
nights, dry climate
Impatiens General White, yellow, Spring to late Cuttings, Not drought Sandy, moist, rich
18 Partial shade May
Impatiens balsamina (house plant) red, pink fall transplants resistant soil

5
6
TABLE 1. Continued.
Plant Name Uses Color Height Bloom Period Exposure Planting Time How Propagated Limitations Remarks
Mixed-carmine
Some types are
Josephs Coat red, yellow, dark May or early Grown for foliage
Novelty Mid-summer Sunny Transplants weeds. Needs
Amaranthus tricolor green (maroon, 12 - 48 June color
warm weather.
scarlet leaves)
Larkspur (See Delphinium)
Cut back after first
Lobelia Edging, ground Sun, partial
Blue, white, pink 6 - 8 Continuous Late May Transplants Not heat resistant bloom to increase
Lobelia erinus cover shade blooming
Hanging baskets Flowers sweet
Silver-grey
Lotus (Parrots Beak) cascade over 3 feet June, July, Full sun or Seed or pea-shaped. Dont
foliage, scarlet Avoid over-watering
Lotus bertheloti walls, ground (trailing) August slight shade transplants confuse with
bloom,
cover water plants.
Perennial forms
Lupine Blue, rose, Full sun or Susceptible to
General 6 - 48 Early summer April Seeds more common
Lupinus spp. & hybrids yellow, white slight shade chlorosis
than annual.
Start inside, An annual related
Tree Mallow Cut flowers, Mid-summer to Seed or
White, pink, red 36 Sun set out in late to hollyhock.
Lavatera sp. general frost transplants
May Tolerant of frosts.
Some large flow-
Yellow, orange,
Marigold (French) Mid-summer to ered types too tall
General deep red, 6 - 36 Sunny After frost Seed
Tagetes patula frost at medium to high
brownish
altitudes.
Various shades Some varieties
Marigold (African) General, Mid-summer to Seed or
of yellow and 24-48 Full sun After frost are late in
Tagetes erecta edging late fall transplants
brown flowering
Greenish,
Mignonette Grown for its Sunny, well Place in coolest
grayish or 12 - 18 June to October After frost Transplants Best in pots
Reseda odorata fragrance drained part of yard
yellowish white
Mirabilis (See Four OClock)
Shady rock
Monkey Flower Yellow with red Seeds started Needs plenty of
gardens, 12 - 18 June to August Shade After frost Not heat resistant
Mimulus guttatus spotted throat indoors moisture
streamside
Moss rose (See Portulaca)
Common Nasturtium
Too much nitrogen
Tropaeolum majus orange, yellow Seed or Edible and
General 12 - 15 Mid-summer Partial shade Spring will inhibit flower
& Tropaeolum minor deep reds transplants drought-tolerant
formation
(dwarf)
Pansy Early spring, Partial Best in cool Will reseed itself;
Bedding Wide range 5 - 12 Early spring Seed
Viola wittrockiana late fall shade, cool weather tender perennial
Reds, pinks, Most species
Penstemon General,
blue, lavender, 6 - 24 Summer & fall Full sun Early spring Seed, cuttings Well-drained soil are biennial or
Penstemon spp. rockeries
purple perennial
 TABLE 1. Continued.
Plant Name Uses Color Height Bloom Period Exposure Planting Time How Propagated Limitations Remarks
Seed early
Periwinkle
General Rose, blue 12 Shade spring, trans- Cuttings, layering Not too hardy
Catharanthus roseus
plant in May
Seed early
Types: Multi-
Petunia Early summer spring, Seed or trans-
General Numerous 8 - 24 Sunny Very adaptable flora, Grandiflora,
Petunia (hybrids) to late fall transplant after plants
Double
frost
Rose, crimson,
Phlox, annual General, pink,scarlet,
12 - 15 July and August Sunny After frost Seed Showy
Phlox spp. ground cover violet, white,pale
yellow
Pincushion flower (See Scabiosa)
Borders, Pink, rose,
LaPinks Late spring and
edgings, red and white 12 Sunny Early spring Seed Needs moisture Showy
Dianthus spp. summer
general combinations
Poppies
Shirley Papaver rhoea Red (black), pink,
General 12 Late spring Sunny Early spring Seed Needs moisture Reseeds itself
& Iceland Papaver rose, scarlet
nudicaule
Borders, rock
Portlaca (moss Yellow, red,
gardens, Late spring to
rose or rose moss) white, (pink 4 - 8 Sunny Early spring Seed Drought tolerant Reseeds itself
edges, bare frost
Portulaca grandiflora stems)
banks
Rudbeckia (See Black-eyed Susan)
Salpiglossis (Painted Many Seed (plant very Should be grown
General 12 - 24 Summer Partial shade After frost Do not over fertilize
Tongue) S. sinuata (rich velvety) shallow) more
Blue, maroon,
Scabiosa (Pincushion) Mid to late Seed or Good for cutting.
General white, yellow 24 Sunny May
S. atropurpurea summer transplants Deer Resistant
pink,rose, red,
Scarlet Sage Seed or
General Scarlet red Variable Late summer Sunny Early spring Warm Shrubby
Salvia splendens transplants
Plants may be half
Snapdragon General, White, yellow, Seed or Best Varieties F1
12 - 24 July to frost Sunny After frost hardy. May break
Antirrhinum sp. cutting pink, red transplants Hybrids
in wind
Spider Plants (See Cleome)
Statice (Sea Lavender) Rose, purple, Mid-summer, Seed or Good in winter
Drying 12 - 20 Sunny Early spring
Limonium spp. pink, lavender autumn transplants bouquets
Stock General, Seed or
Numerous 10 - 15 Early summer Sunny Early spring Coarse texture Very fragrant
Matthiola incana cutting transplants
Strawflower Yellow, red, pink, Mid-summer, Seed or Best grown in Good for dried
Drying, general 24 - 36 Sunny After frost
Helichrysum bracteatum orange, white fall transplants cutting garden bouquets

7
TABLE 1. Continued.
Plant Name Uses Color Height Bloom Period Exposure Planting Time How Propagated Limitations Remarks
Yellow rays,
Sunflower Grow dwarf forms
brown centers; Mid-summer Great diversity
Helianthus spp. and Background 16- 15 Sunny Early spring Seed where wind is a
orange chestnut- until frost of form
hybrids problem
red
Sweet Alyssum (See Alyssum)
White, red, pink, Subject to root-rot
Sweet Pea Bouquets, Early summer Cool, moist
blue, purple, 24- 48 Sunny Early spring Seed disease in many
Lathyrus odoratus arbors, fences and fall climate needed
yellow dwarf gardens
Sweet Sultan Purple, white, July to
Cut flowers 18 - 24 Sunny After frost Seed indoors Not frost tolerant Very fragrant
Centaurea moschata yellow September
Cut flowers,
Tidy Tips Yellow with white After frost Seed or
beds, borders, 12 - 18 June to October Open, sunny
Layia platyglossa tips danger transplants
rock gardens
Beds, borders,
Verbena White, pink, Seed or Requires warm
boxes, cutting, Creeping June to late fall Sunny Early spring Deer resistant
Verbena (hybrids) scarlet, blue transplants climate
rockeries
Winged everlasting Seed or Grow in cutting
Drying White 18 - 24 Fall Sunny Spring
Ammobium alatum transplants garden
Zinnia Early summer to Seed or Hybrids are best.
General Many mixed 18 - 48 Full sun Early spring Breaks in wind
Zinnia elegans late fall transplants Deer-resistant

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File under: Yard and Garden (Flowers)

Reviewed March 2011 1000-112SA