What Type of Annual Flowers Are Good for Central Florida?

Sweet Pea

• Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is an annual flowering plant that can provide springtime color and fragrance to the fall, winter and early spring central Florida garden. It can be grown as a climbing vine or in mound form. When grown in mound form, the plants reach a height of 2 1/2 feet. If it is trained to grow as a vine it will reach a height of 6 to 8 feet. The seeds can be sown directly in the garden in the fall. Sweet pea plants prefer organically rich humusy soil that drains well. A full sun exposure is best, but they will tolerate light shade as well. A trellis or support structure must be provided if the plant is to be grown in vine form. After the seedlings reach 6 to 8 inches long, they can be attached to the trellis with loose string. The plants grow tendrils that attach to the trellis as it grows. This annual should not be confused with the sweet pea plant that produces edible sweet peas (Pisum sativum). They are not the same plants, and the seeds produced by Lathyrus odoratus are not edible.

Opium Poppy

• Opium poppies (Papaver somniferous), also called bread poppies, are annuals that will provide bright color to central Florida gardens. These are tall-growing flowers that reach 3 to 4 feet in height with frilly-looking blue-green leaves that grow 3 to 6 inches long. The blooms can be white, pink, red, mauve or purple and are commonly double or pompom-type in form, but the plants are available with a single-type bloom as well. The flowers can be as large as 4 inches in diameter. Sow the seeds in the spring several weeks prior to the last expected frost in their intended growing area. The seedlings can be difficult to move successfully. They will thrive in most average garden soil with good drainage capabilities. Full sun exposure is fine, but a location that gets midday shade is preferred. Opium poppies are useful as cut flowers, and the dried seed pods are often used in dried arrangements.

Wishbone Flowers

• Wishbone flowers (Torenia fournieri), also known as bluewings, are annuals that are well suited to central Florida summers. Most cultivars grow to a height and width of 6 to 12 inches although the Panda cultivars grow to only 4 to 8 inches tall. These plants bloom all summer long, producing trumpet-shaped flowers that can be white, pink, lavender, blue, purple or yellow. They can be grown from seeds planted in early spring, or plants may be purchased at local nurseries. Organically rich moist soil is preferred by these plants. A high-potassium fertilizer applied every two weeks will encourage more abundant blooming. They should be planted where they will receive shade from the midday sun and will do well in a location that is nearly fully shaded. In addition to flowerbeds and as a border plant along sidewalks, wishbone flowers do well in hanging baskets.