Colorful Annual Flowers

Impatiens

• Impatiens are a colorful plant that historically was strictly used in the shade garden. Flower colors include salmon, lavender-blue, red, violet, white, orange and shades of pink. Flowers are either single or in the shape of a miniature rose. The introduction of New Guineas Impatiens changed that. This particular variety will grow in full sun if the plants receive plenty of water. Impatiens will wilt if they do not receive adequate moisture. Plant Impatiens in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and mulch around the root system to help keep the plant cool during the hot summer.

Petunias

• Wave petunias give new meaning to an old-fashioned plant. These colorful, spreading petunias do not need deadheading to bloom all season long. Deadheading is the removal of faded flowers. Old-fashioned petunias benefited from this process. The cascading habitat of the wave petunia makes it the perfect colorful annual flower for spilling over the sides of containers and hanging baskets. The wave petunia also works well as an edging plant, softening the transition between the flower bed and the pathway or hardscape. Other varieties of petunias include grandifloras, multifloras and millifloras. Petunias come in a wide array of colors including purple, red, white, bicolors and multicolors such as the variety Pretty Much Picasso, whose flowers are purple, green and pink.

Poppies

• The silky blooms of annual poppies bring color to the cool season garden. Once the temperatures begin to climb, the flowers will fade. Interesting seed pods, which are prized in floral bouquets, replace the faded flowers. Poppies will self-seed in the garden if the seed pods are left over winter. Poppies have a reputation of being difficult to get started. They do not like being transplanted. It is best to start seeds indoors in peat pots, or direct seed them into the garden during a light rain in early spring.

Zinnia

• Zinnias come in a wide range of colors, plant heights and flower styles including cactus, dahlia and beehive. Flower colors include green, purple, red, orange, yellow, white and numerous bicolors. Zinnia's mature height ranges from 8 inches tall to more than 3 feet tall, depending on the variety. There is sure to be one for every garden, no matter how small or large. Dwarf varieties do well in containers. Direct sow zinnia seed into the garden once all danger of frost has passed. Plant zinnias in full sun, in fertile well-drained soil and fertilize regularly to encourage optimum blooming.