Annuals are an indispensable decoration for any garden. But not all varieties produce abundant flowering, retain bright colors all summer and do not require complex care. To get a continuous celebration of color, it is important to choose proven crops that combine decorativeness, resistance to weather conditions and ease of cultivation.
Here are seven reliable options that are suitable for both outdoor flower beds and balcony boxes.
Marigold
Unpretentious flowers with golden-orange inflorescences. Height from 20 to 60 cm depending on the variety. They bloom from June until frost and are not afraid of drought and heat. They repel pests from garden beds and are suitable for borders and containers. Seeds can be sown directly into the ground in May.
Petunia
The queen of summer flower beds with flowers up to 10 cm in diameter. The palette includes all shades: white, pink, red, purple, yellow, with patterns and borders. Hanging varieties are ideal for hanging flower pots, and bush varieties are ideal for flower beds. Blooms continuously from June to October. Requires regular watering and fertilizing.
Zinnia
Bright “majors” with large inflorescences up to 15 cm. Color: red, orange, yellow, pink, white, lilac. Height from 30 to 90 cm. Blooms from July until frost, can be cut for up to 2 weeks. Does not tolerate transplantation, sow immediately in a permanent place. Resistant to heat, but requires protection from strong winds.
Cosmea
Airy flowers with lacy foliage and chamomile-like inflorescences. Color: white, pink, crimson, yellow. Height up to 150 cm, creates the effect of a blooming cloud. Blooms from July to October. Absolutely unpretentious, grows on poor soils, tolerates drought. It is sown by self-sowing and will sprout on its own next year.
Lobelia
Small delicate flowers of blue, blue, violet, white or pink. Forms dense cushions or cascades 15–20 cm high. It blooms all summer, creating a continuous carpet. Ideal for borders, alpine slides and hanging baskets. Requires moderate watering and protection from direct midday rays.
Ageratum
Fluffy pompom inflorescences in blue, lilac, pink or white. Height from 15 to 60 cm. Blooms from June until frost without interruption. Does not require removal of faded flowers, retains its decorative effect on its own. Suitable for flower beds, borders and containers. Loves sunny places and regular watering.
Nasturtium
Bright flowers with rounded leaves. Color: yellow, orange, red, cherry, with spots and spurs. It can be bushy up to 30 cm and climbing up to 3 m. It blooms from June to October. Edible: flowers and leaves added to salads. Grows in poor soils and does not require fertilizing. The seeds ripen and are suitable for sowing next year.
To ensure that the flower bed blooms all summer, combine early and late varieties, as well as crops with different sowing dates. Remove spent flowers regularly. This stimulates the formation of new buds. For abundant flowering, feed the plants with complex flower fertilizers every 2-3 weeks.
