Annual flowers, as their name implies, bloom in one year but do not come back the next. They must be planted anew each spring. This extra effort and cost cause some gardeners to dismiss annual flowers entirely. They note that some annuals require more watering, more fertilization, and are more prone to insect attack than perennial flowers (flowers that come back every year). In addition, some gardeners say that certain annuals may need to be deadheaded or “tipped back” in summer. This is all true. So why, then, do annual flowers make up the bulk of all plants currently sold?

Perhaps it is because annual flowers bloom relentlessly. Their task is to flower and get pollinated, and they typically bloom all season until frost, providing a constant display of color and form. They are floral workhorses. So while native perennial flowers may be the foundation of your garden, annuals can bridge any gaps in blooming between the perennial spring and summer bloomers. There is always something to look at when annuals are planted in a garden.

The answer, therefore, is to plant annual flowers that are tough, sturdy, and water-efficient. Yet still, annuals do cost money to buy every year. Growing them indoors from seeds in the late winter is a good way to get around that hurdle.

The best reason I can give for growing annuals, besides their glorious display, is that they are a good way to feed our bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Some annuals are loaded with pollen and nectar, which draws pollinators to them. There are annual flower varieties, however, that are bred for showy flowers or vigorous growth; therefore, if you want to plant a pollinator garden, choose your flowers wisely. Some of the best annuals for attracting pollinators are cosmos, zinnia, alyssum, sunflower, marigold, petunia, lantana, pansies, ageratum, salvia, and pentas. Please note that lantana and pentas are considered annuals in northern states but are perennials in more southern states.

Many annual flowers are easy to grow, and they can really change the look of your outdoor space. You can experiment with color, fragrance, and form without committing to it beyond one growing season. So try growing some annual flowers, have fun, and enjoy the show you have created. The pollinators will thank you.

Which annual flowers should you start with? A good place to look is at the winners from All-America Selections (AAS), a trusted independent testing organization. These winners are garden varieties of flowers, vegetables, herbs, and plants that have been tested and proven to be excellent for home garden use by horticulture professionals across North America. It is a program run by the National Garden Bureau (ngb.org). A great list of the AAS Winners can be found on the AAS website (all-americaselections.org/winners).

The following are a few of some of my favorite annual flowers. I have highlighted some of them in previous sections of this book. There are so many annuals I like that it was hard to cull from the large group. I hope my choices whet your appetite to try many more in your garden.

“Before” and “after” photos of a sunny border consisting of roses and annual flowers. This planting provides a nonstop colorful display all summer into fall.

A sunny annual flower border of spikes of lavender angelonia, yellow French marigolds, pink annual vinca, and purple ageratum on the left. All deer resistant!