Annual Flowers for Hot Weather

Angelonia

• Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia) will grow as a heat-loving annual anywhere. This Mexico and West Indies native thrives in full sun and humidity when planted in well-drained fertile soil. The upright plant is known as the summer snapdragon because it grows to 18 inches tall with lavender-purple flowers on 8-inch spikes. The fragrant flowers also grow in pink, white, violet and purple. Angelonia is a favorite for annuals massed in beds and borders and it does well in containers.

Feather Celosia

• Feather celosia (Celosia argentea var. cristata) brings brilliant-feathered plumes to the annual garden. The colors range in shades of red, orange, yellow and pink. Celosia loves hot, humid summers. The drought-tolerant annual grows up to 3 feet tall in full sun with moderate water. Celosia also makes an excellent cut-and-dried flower.

Lantana Camara

• If you want a low-maintenance, heat- and drought-tolerant annual, choose the lantana (Lantana camara). The budding flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies with their multiple colors on each head. Lantana is a vigorous grower in hot weather and different varieties grow upright to 3 feet or as low, trailing plants. The lantana is not fussy about soil type.

Moss Rose

• The moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora) is native to South America and an outstanding annual for sunny, hot locations. The plant grows low to the ground and produces rose-like flowers that are semi-double to double in a multitude of colors. The rose grows to about 1 foot tall and wide and blooms from June to first frost. Give it full sun with minimal water, once established.

Vinca

• Vinca (Catharanthus roseus) is also known as periwinkle or Madagascar periwinkle. This annual thrives in full sun and extreme heat. The Missouri Botanical Garden website states that "Vinca is a good candidate for the best annual in sunny areas." The glossy-green leaves show off flowers that are white, pink, purple or red; this vigorous bloomer blossoms from early summer to first frost. Vinca typically grows as a mounding plant that reaches heights and widths of 18 inches in well-drained soil with moderate water.