By: Christina T.

Happy April 1! As we head into April the excitement for gardening increases by the day. Buds are starting to form, bulb foliage is pushing through the surface, and planning for what annuals to try this year are in fast motion. Some gardeners grow what they know will work best in their garden. Other gardeners like to switch things up, trying new annuals for a variety of color. No matter what gardener you are there is a plant for you! Here are our top easy summer annuals to plan for this summer. Add these to your container gardens or ground beds for a pop of color.

Begonias

Colors offered: Red, pink, white, yellow, orange. This plant blooms throughout the summer and into fall offering layered blooms, some large and some small.

Light: Most Begonias do well in mostly shade, with a little bit of morning or afternoon sun. Some varieties can handle more sun than others.

Water: Water regularly, but don’t over do it. This plant retains water in its stem and can rot out if it gets too much water.

Height: There are quite a few different varieties to choose from making the begonia a versatile plant to add to your garden. Some grow to about 8 inches like the Wax Begonia, while others can get 12 inches or more like the Dragon Wing Begonia.

Cosmos

Colors offered: Shades of pink, red, white. This plant continues to bloom throughout the summer offering 6 large-petaled, daisy-like flowers.

Light: Cosmos do well in full to part sun areas and don’t mind drier conditions.

Water: Water regularly allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Height: Cosmos reach many different heights, but we typically offer Cosmos that reach 12-18 inches. They grow quickly from seed and have been used to repel mosquitoes.

Dahlias

Colors offered: red, pink, orange, yellow, purple. This plant continues to bloom throughout the summer offering large showy flowers.

Light: Dahlias do well in full to part sun areas that are not too humid.

Water: Water regularly providing 2 or 3 deep watering’s a week.

Height: There are short varieties reaching about 1 foot and taller varieties that can reach 5 to 6 feet. Dahlias have tubers that can be saved during the winter season and planted again in the spring.

Dianthus

Colors offered: shades of red, pink, purple, white. This plant continues to bloom throughout the summer to about August offering 5-petaled blooms with ruffled edges.

Light: Dianthus do well in full to part sun areas and don’t mind drier conditions.

Water: Water regularly allowing soil to dry slightly between watering.

Height: Most varieties reach about 10-18 inches tall. They are deer resistant and the flower has a slight fragrance.

Fuchsias

Colors offered: Typically, two colors in one bloom. Red, purple, pink, white. This plant continues to bloom throughout the summer offering blooms that open downward.

Light: Fuchias do well in shades areas, but they can handle a bit of morning sun.

Water: Water regularly, keeping water slightly moist at all times.

Height: There are trailing varieties that only get a few inches tall before cascading over the edge and upright varieties that can get about 12-16 inches tall.

Geraniums

Colors offered: red, pink, purple, white, orange, rose, lavender. This plant continues to bloom throughout the summer offering tall shoots with star-burst blooms like fireworks.

Light: Geraniums do well in full sun areas that other plants have a hard time growing in. This plant loves the heat.

Water: Water Regularly. This plant is drought tolerant, so try not to over water.

Height: Most varieties will get to about 10-16 inches offering round flower heads on top tall stems. They are low maintenance and hardy sun-loving plants.

Marigolds

Colors offered: Shades of yellow, red, gold. This plant blooms throughout the spring, summer and into fall.

Light: Marigolds do well in full sun areas and don’t mind drier conditions.

Water: Water regularly allowing soil to dry slightly between watering.

Height: Marigolds reach many different heights, but we typically offer Marigolds that reach about 8-12 inches tall.

New Guinea Impatiens

Colors offered: Pink, red, orange, purple. This plant blooms throughout the summer until frost hits in the fall.

Light: New Guinea Impatiens do well in full to part shade. They can handle a bit of morning or late afternoon sun.

Water: Water regularly keeping soil slightly moist, but not soggy.

Height: New Guinea Impatiens reach many different heights, but we typically offer varieties that reach 8-10 inches tall.

Snapdragons

Colors offered: Red, Pink, Yellow, White, Orange. This plant blooms throughout the spring, summer, and into the cooler weather months of fall offering tall shoots of flowers.

Light: Snapdragons do well in full sun areas. The less sun, the less vigorous the blooms.

Water: Water regularly to keep plant from dropping. Water at the base of the plant so water does not weigh down the blooms.

Height: There are some shorter varieties that only achieve about 6 inches and some taller varieties that can reach to about 12 inches or more. Snapdragons attract many different pollinators to your garden.

Zinnias

Colors offered: Shades of red, orange, pink, yellow. This plant blooms throughout the summer and into the cooler weather months of fall offering multi-layered flowers that attract butterflies and bees.

Light: Zinnias do well in full to part sun areas.

Water: Water regularly. Soil does not need to be moist but should not be dried out completely.

Height: Zinnias can range from 10-24 inches depending on the variety. The state fair mix is popular because of its height.