Planting Annuals-Seven Top Sun Loving Annuals For Beginner Gardeners In The Mid South

Sep 10
06:50

2008

Julia Stewart

Julia Stewart

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Planting annuals is a great way to spruce up your garden and fill in the gaps between your perennials. The secret to success for beginners is to start with sun loving annuals that are very easy to grow.

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You can almost guarantee that a first time gardener will have success with these annuals. The definition of an annual is that it completes its life cycle in one season.  It will not come back the next year.  For the most part the plants listed here  are deer resistant (no plant is completely deer proof if the deer are hungry enough)  drought tolerant,<b>Planting Annuals-Seven Top  Sun Loving Annuals  For Beginner Gardeners In The Mid South</b> Articles and pest free.  True winners for  all areas of the Southern United States. 


  • Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) This is an excellent annual that comes in colors of pink, red, blue-violate, violet/lavender, and white.  It blooms all summer long and is attractive to bees and butterflies. Plant in the front of beds or in containers.


  • Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa)  We  plant this annual every year.  The colors range from pink, purple, white, and Christmas red.  Grows to about 18 inches.  I love to dry the blooms for wreaths and arrangements.


  • Lantana (Lantana spp.)  Another annual that we plant every year.  This plant comes in pink, purple, red, orange, bright yellow, and purple.  Does well in zones 8-11. Likes full sun to part shade.  Very drought tolerant.


  • Narrowleaf  zinnias (Zinnia angustifolia)  This is a great little plant for the front of the garden or containers.  It only grows 12 to 18 inches tall.   It comes in colors of red, orange, gold, and white.  It blooms from late spring to mid fall.  You will see this plant in many botanical gardens because of its good performance in the garden.  


  • Pansy (Viola x Wittrockiana)  Who can resist the beautiful combination of colors on this plant.  If you have a hard time combing colors, just take a look at these.   One flower can have purples and yellow, whites and purple, and many other color combinations.   Also a  great choice for the front of a bed or containers.


  • Impatiens (Impatiens Wallerana)   Comes in shades of pink, purple, white, and red.  Height is only 18-24 so plant it in front of the border or in containers.  Likes morning sun and afternoon shade.  Some varieties have variegated leaves.  New Guinea impatens is a variety that is a little taller with thicker, greener  leaves.  It is also a more tolerant of full sum.  Be sure and check out this variety also.


  • Petunia (Petunia xhybrid) The purple wave petunia has been very popular for many years because of its profusion of blooms and drought tolerance.  It likes full sun to part shade.  Once established they are drought tolerant.  Bloom time is late spring to mid fall.  Comes in shades of violet, lavender, and purple.