The Best Self Seeding Annuals

Brazilian Verbena

• Brazilian verbena, Verbena bonariensis, is recommended by the University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension as one of the top annuals growing 3 feet or taller. This annual grows 3 to 4 feet tall and flowers in summer. Brazilian verbena thrives in full sun and dry soil and tolerates a variety of soil types. Brazilian verbena is technically a tender perennial grown as an annual in most climates. It is a perennial in USDA cold hardiness zones 7 through 10. Outside of these climate zones, it behaves as a self-seeding annual. Brazilian verbena produces pink, lavender or purple flowers. Flowers appear at the end of tall stems of wiry texture. Brazilian verbena is noted by both the University of Minnesota and the Illinois State University Cooperative Extension as a plant that attracts butterflies.

Flowering Tobacco

• Recommended by the University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension, flowering tobacco or Nicotiana sylvestris, is considered one of the best self-seeding annuals for attracting hummingbirds. Also called white shooting star, Nicotiana sylvestris grows 4 to 6 feet tall. This plant prefers dry soil types and thrives in full sun to part shade. Marked with elaborate, rough-textured foliage, flowering tobacco is cold hardy from USDA zones 10 through 11, and is treated as an annual in most temperate climates. Flowering tobacco produces large white flowers with a blooming season from summer to fall. North Carolina State University recommends flowering tobacco to attract butterflies and moths in addition to hummingbirds.

Bells-of-Ireland

• Bells-of-Ireland, Molucella laevis, is recommended by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a striking cut flower for arrangements. Bells-of-Ireland are so named for their blooms. The blossoms themselves are small and white, but have a bell-shaped encasement in vivid green. Bells-of-Ireland do not hail from Ireland, but are endemic to the Mediterranean. Bells-of-Ireland prefer full sun and are capable of growing to 2 feet tall. Bells-of-Ireland prefer dry, well-drained soil. They thrive in sandy soil and are self-seeding plants.

Dill

• Dill, Anethum graveolens, is an herb grown for use in food. It is also a self-seeding annual plant that can be added to either a vegetable or flower garden. It is lauded by Clemson University as one of the easiest herbs to grow from seed. Dill grows 2 to 4 feet tall and produces feathery leaves of a blue-green hue. Flowers are arranged in clusters and are small and yellow. Dill adapts to different soil types but thrives in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Dill prefers full sun. Dill readily self-seeds, providing gardeners with a functional plant that returns year after year.