Annual Flower Plant Selection Guide

Types

• Annual flowers for a cutting garden are chosen for their ability to produce many blooms that will last well when cut and produce new flowers quickly. The cottage garden or annual border is designed as an arrangement of color and size that will remain attractive throughout the summer.

Considerations

• Annuals that share similar light, water and fertility requirements make better, healthier neighbors. Trees and shrubs create partial and dappled shade that can provide a cool space for a bench as well as for colorful New Zealand impatiens, tuberous begonias and silver bells. Gardeners should use favorite plants that reflect their personalities.

Balance

• Annuals such as nasturtiums, marigolds, zinnias and cosmos, have different bloom forms and foliage. Selections for borders and cottage gardens should balance groups of annuals with different forms to provide emphasis and texture from one group of plants to the next.