Discover the best annuals, perennials and bulbs to grow in your first garden
Think you have a brown thumb? These easy-care flowers will help you gain confidence in the garden. Annuals such as sunflowers and zinnias are easy to start from seed, perennials require little care and return each year, and bulbs are practically foolproof when planted properly. Start with just one, or select a few and get growing!
Zones: Annual
Colors: Yellows, browns, and mixed
Height: 3-16 feet
Blooms during summer
Most varieties are drought and heat tolerant
Attracts bees, birds, and butterflies
Thrives in full sun
Tolerates most soil types (except water-logged)
May require support to prevent breakage
Zones: Annual
Colors: Shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and white
Height: 20-24 inches
Blooms during summer
Offers varieties in shape (daisies, dahlias, spiders, poms)
Attracts butterflies
Likes rich, well-drained soil
Has moderate water requirements
Grows best in full sun
Zones: Annual
Colors: Shades of yellow, red, gold, and mixed
Height: 6-36 inches
Blooms spring, summer and fall
Grows quickly from seed
Helps repel mosquitoes (See 12 Mosquito Repellent Plants)
Prefers well-drained soil, grows well in dry or sandy gardens
Water well, allow to dry between waterings
Should be grown in full sun
Cosmos
Zones: Annual Colors: Orange, pink, white Height: Varieties 18-60 inches
Blooms spring, summer and fall
Grows quickly from seed
Helps repel mosquitoes
Prefers well-drained soil, grows well in dry or sandy gardens
Water well, allow to dry between waterings
Should be grown in full sun
Zones: Annual Colors: White, purple, pink, red, blue varieties Height: 6 to 15 feet
Blooms appear in late summer or early fall
Readily self-sowing — be careful where you plant
Use to cover walls/trellises
Attracts birds and butterflies
Seeds are highly toxic if ingested
Give them moderately fertile, well-drained soil
Water weekly during dry periods
Plant morning glories in full sun
Zones: Annual Colors: Blue, pink, purple, red, white Height: 3 to 8 feet
Highly fragrant flowers
Bloom spring through early summer in hot climates, into fall in cooler areas
Seeds resemble edible sweet peas but are toxic if eaten
Prefer loamy, well-drained soil
Keep moist, water at the base
Grow in full sun
Needs supportive fence or trellis
If grown from seed, soak seeds the night before planting to soften tough outer shell
Nasturtium
Zones: Annual
Colors: Shades of orange, red, yellow, cream
Height: 8-10 feet
Quick growing and colorful
Blooms from May until September
Edible leaves and flowers (recipe: Pan-Seared Halibut with Nasturtium Butter)
Needs well-drained soil
Water regularly, but don’t over-water
Plant in full sun
Zones: Grown as annuals (can be perennial/biennial in Zones 6-10) Colors: Variety of colors Height: 6-9 inches
In warmer climates pansies will bloom throughout winter and early spring
Are widely available at nurseries in six packs
Attract butterflies
Like rich, well-drained soil
Need regular watering
Will bloom in sun or partial shade
Grow best in temperatures 45-75 degrees F
Snapdragons
Zones: Grown as annuals (can be perennial in Zones 5-10) Colors: White, yellow, pink, red, orange, peach, purple, and violet Height: 6-15 inches
Bloom from spring through fall in cool summer growing conditions
Attract butterflies
Popular in cottage-style gardens
Prefer well-drained soil
Water regularly at the base of the plant
Best when grown in full sun
Zones: Grown as annuals (can be perennial in Zones 10-11) Colors: Variety Height: 6-24 inches
Bloom non-stop from June until frost
Attract birds
Are great for growing along the edges of a path
Prefer loamy soil
Keep them moist, but not waterlogged
Do best in part or full shade
Will grow taller if planted closer together
Wax Begonias
Zones: Grown as annuals (can be perennial in Zones 10-11) Colors: Orange, pink, white, yellow Height: 6-12 inches
Bloom summer and fall
Good for hanging baskets, containers, or beds
Varieties produce single or double blooms with ruffled or smooth petals
Require fertile, amended soil
Water consistently, but don’t overdo it
Perform best in partial sun to shade
Zones: 3-9 Colors: Yellow, orange, white, purple, pink, bicolor and more Height: Up to 6 feet
Will bloom for months
Make great cut flowers
Attract pollinators and birds
Sow seeds in spring or fall
Like rich, well-drained soil
Will tolerate drought
Plant in full sun
Zones: 4-8 (often grown as an annual) Colors: Blue, white, yellow, pink, and purple
Height: Up to 4 feet
Well suited for use in borders
Produces seeds that will self-sow
Attracts butterflies
Likes average, well-drained soil — best without fertilizer
Provide deep watering, and allow to dry in between
Loosen soil deeply when planting for its long tap roots
Plant in full sun in cool climates, filtered light in hot ones
Zones: 3-9 Colors: Shades of red, purple, pink, and white Height: Most 10-20 inches, varieties up to 3 feet
Showy, fragrant flowers (clove-scented)
Blooms from May to August
Deer resistant
Attractive evergreen foliage
Great in rock gardens or as edging at the front of a border
Plant in well-drained soil
Water at the base when dry
Grow in full sun to light shade
Zones: 10-11 (grown as an annual elsewhere) Colors: Shades of purple, magenta, pink, red, and white Height: Varieties 1-8 feet
Great in hanging baskets
Can be overwintered indoors
Attracts hummingbirds
Grow best in the shade (do not like heat, humidity, or drought)
Prefers moist, but well-drained soil
Prune back to encourage new growth
Watch out for fuchsia mites (especially in So Cal and the Bay Area)
Zones: 10-11 (grown as an annual elsewhere) Colors: White, pink, red, lavender, purple, magenta, and rose Height: 3-24 inches
Low-maintenance color from spring until frost
Good for use in window boxes, hanging baskets, containers, or beds
Attracts birds
Thrive in rich, well-drained soil
Like to be watered regularly, but don’t over-water
Prefer full sun/afternoon shade in hot climates
Zones: 4-9 Colors: Shades of purple and lavender, some white and pink Height: 20-24 inches
Technically an herb, this hardy plant requires minimal care once established
Blooms from late June through August
Attracts bees and butterflies
Lavandin variety helps keep mosquitoes away
Requires well-drained soil
Should be watered deeply, but infrequently (drought tolerant)
Grows best in full sun
Zones: 7-10 Colors: Pink, purple, red, orange, yellow, and white Height: 1 to 6 feet
Thrive in most climates, although not too well in hot and humid
Blooms will appear as quickly as 8 weeks after planting tubers
Wide variety of shapes (spiky, single, double, pompon, anemone)
Grow in well-drained, sandy soil
Plant in full sun
Plant tubers in the spring
Provide 2 or 3 deep waterings a week after growth emerges above ground
Zones: 3-9 Colors: Yellow, orange, white Height: 6-30 inches
Bloom in late winter or early spring
Can be planted in beds or containers
Mix well with other spring flowering bulbs
Plant bulbs in fall to bloom in spring
Provide well-drained soil
Like regular watering in spring and fall
Tolerate full sun or part shade
Zones: 3-10 Colors: Shades of Yellow, red, pink, purple, and melon Height: 12-48 inches
Flower continuously over a long period of time
Virtually pest free
Excellent for massing in large areas
Tolerant of heat and humidity
Plant in spring
Grow in rich, well-drained soil
Provide deep watering in summer
Flower best in full sun
Zones: 4-8 Colors: Lavender, purple, pink, and white Height: 6-36 inches
Undemanding bulb great for rock gardens, cottage gardens or meadows
Relatively resistant to deer, voles, chipmunks, and rabbits
Bloom just as the seasons change from spring to summer
Plant bulbs in the fall
Provide well-drained soil
Grow in full sun
Like dry to medium moisture
This article was first published at: https://www.gardendesign.com/flowers/easy.html
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