In recent years, many gardeners have started to explore the addition of annual flowers to growing spaces. Whether you’re hoping to attract pollinators and beneficial insects or are wishing to create your very own cut flower garden, annual flowers are an easy and cost effective way to enjoy season-long color and bloom. Like any other plant, however, you first need to carefully research the growing requirements of each plant type before beginning to work the soil.
What Types of Annuals Do Well in Full Sun?
Hot summer temperatures and ample hours of sunlight are often considered to be quite difficult growing conditions for many species of plants. Fortunately, if you have exceptionally sunny garden spaces, options for full sun annual flowers abound. In determining which annuals like full sun, it’s important to also consider other characteristics, including the plants’ needs for irrigation, as well as their preferred temperatures. These aspects may prove even more significant if you’re considering planting in raised beds, containers, and/or hanging baskets.
Shopping Locally
You can find many popular direct-sun annuals for sale at home improvement stores and garden centers in the early summer. Often, available selections from these retailers can help beginner gardeners gain a better understanding of easy to grow plants that may do well, considering local conditions.
Many full sun annual flowers are an excellent addition to flower beds and borders. Petunias and marigolds are just a few examples of bedding plants that thrive when planted in more stressful growing environments. Starting full sun loving annuals from seed is yet another popular choice. Plants, like zinnias and sunflowers, are exceptionally common; due to their ease of growth and lasting beauty.
Colorful Wildflowers
Other full sun annual flowers include those which are considered to be types of wildflowers, by many. These include annual types of rudbeckia, cosmos, celosia, tithonia, and gaillardia. Those looking to add unique interest to ornamental gardens may opt to grow less common flowers, such as cleome, amaranth, and/or gomphrena.
Determining which annuals like full sun in one’s own garden can require some trial and error, as certain plants’ ability to thrive may vary from one growing zone to another. Though most full sun loving annuals are those which produce flowers, some types of ornamental grasses and foliage also grow well under these conditions. Ornamental peppers, sweet potato vines, and various types of fountain grass are all examples of such colorful garden additions.
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