Perennials are often the choice for northwest garden flowers, perfect for gardeners who want more bang for their buck. Since perennials return year after year, it might be tempting to plant only perennials. However, that would be a mistake when there are dozens of annual flowers for northwestern states.
What annuals grow well in the Pacific Northwest? The sheer number and variation of Pacific Northwest annual flowers available may surprise you.
Why Grow Pacific Northwest Annual Flowers?
Annuals are plants that germinate, bloom, set seed, then die back in a single season. Amongst Pacific Northwest garden flowers, you will find tender annuals such as marigolds and zinnias that can’t take chilly temps and hardier specimens like poppies and bachelor’s buttons which can handle a light frost.
Annuals are easily sown from seed and can be direct sown into the garden before the last spring frost. They are usually available at a low cost in multiple packs which allow gardeners to create huge swaths of color without breaking the bank.
Perennials develop complex root systems so they can survive winter temps. Annuals have no such qualm and, instead, throw all of their energy into making seed. This means they rapidly produce abundant flowers that can stand their own in the garden, in containers, or combined with perennials.
What Annuals Grow Well in the Pacific Northwest?
Due to the relatively mild climate, there are numerous options for Pacific Northwest annuals. Some northwest annual flowers, such as geraniums and snapdragons, are categorized as such but are actually perennials in warmer climates. Since they are suited for growing as annual flowers for northwestern states, they will be categorized as such here.
With few exceptions, impatiens and begonias, for instance, northwest annual garden flowers are generally sun lovers. This is certainly not a comprehensive list available, but it will give you a good start when planning your annual garden.
- African Daisy
- Agapanthus
- Ageratum
- Aster
- Bachelor’s buttons (cornflower)
- Bee Balm
- Begonia
- Black-eyed Susan
- Blanket flower
- Calibrachoa
- Celosia
- Cleome
- Cosmos
- Calendula
- Candytuft
- Clarkia
- Cuphea
- Dahlia
- Dianthus
- Fan Flower
- Foxglove
- Geraniums
- Globe Amaranth
- Impatiens
- Lantana
- Larkspur
- Lisianthus
- Lobelia
- Marigold
- Morning Glory
- Nasturtium
- Nicotiana
- Nigella
- Pansy
- Petunia
- Poppy
- Portulaca
- Salvia
- Snapdragon
- Stock
- Strawflower
- Sunflower
- Sweetpea
- Sweet Potato Vine
- Tithonia (Mexican sunflower)
- Verbena
- Zinnia