This post may contain affiliate links.
There’s a unique joy in having a garden full of beautiful flowers. These annuals are an easy way to add brightness and color to your garden – and they will bloom until the first frost. You can plant these seeds directly in your garden soil, containers, or raised garden beds. Some of these annuals can even reseed themselves, so you won’t need to replant them each year. They usually mature and bloom within a few months, often within the same year they’re planted. Here are 16 annual flowers that will bloom until the First Frost.
Cosmos (Cosmos Bipinnatus)
Cosmos are celebrated for their daisy-like flowers and bushy foliage, bringing life and color from summer to fall. They prefer sunny spots and well-drained soil, with minimal watering once established. The variety of colors—pink, white, red, orange, and purple—ensures a match for any garden theme.
These 21 Pretty Pink Plants Are Everything Your Garden Has Been Missing
Calendula
Calendulas are bright, cheerful additions to any garden. They are easy to grow in well-drained soil and prefer gentle sunlight. Plant them in early spring to enjoy their vibrant blooms from late spring through the first frost.
Additionally, Calendula’s are known to deter pests, deer, and rabbits, making them useful for protecting vegetable gardens.
Create a Stunning, Deer Resistant Garden with These 15 Colorful Annual Flowers
Pansies
These fast-growing, vibrant flowers work well in containers or garden beds. With bright and bi-colored edible flowers, pansies are popular in both fresh salads and desserts. They flourish in full morning sunlight and well-drained, fertile soil.
Marigold (Tagetes Spp.)
With bushy growth and a spectrum of yellow, orange, and red blooms, Marigolds will most definitely bloom through the first frost. They are one of the easiest plants to grow from seeds and are quite low-maintenance. They attract beneficial insects and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Sow marigolds directly in the soil in early spring for a continuous display of color through the warmer months.
14 Eye Catching Orange Flowers That Will Make Your Garden Pop
Celosia
Celosia’s tall, spiky flowers make a dramatic statement with their intense colors. This plant adapts well to various climates, flourishing in full sun and high temperatures. With minimal maintenance required, Celosia is perfect for adding height and texture to garden beds and containers. Best when planted in the spring but will continue to give you lots of color through the first frost.
African Daisy
African Daisies, also known as Osteospermum, can be grown as either perennials or annuals, depending on the climate. In colder climates—zones 9 and below—they are generally treated as annuals and must be replanted annually.
Rocket Larkspur (Consolida Ajacis)
Rocket Larkspur, or Wild Delphinium, offers tall spikes of flowers in blue, white, pink, and purple, creating a stately effect in the garden. Due to its height, it prefers full sun or partial shade and may need staking.
This plant is a cool-season favorite, sprouting on its own when seeds are sprinkled in the garden in late winter. Its soft fern-like foliage complements the striking flowers, making it a standout in ornamental borders.
Cornflower (Centaurea Cyanus)
A classic cottage garden plant, cornflowers produce delicate pastel flowers. Cornflowers are undemanding, thriving in full sun and tolerating drought and poor soil.
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia Maritime)
Sweet Alyssum creates a fragrant carpet of tiny white, pink, and purple flowers that attract beneficial insects. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to poor soil and drought conditions. This low-growing plant is perfect for filling gaps in the garden or spilling over containers and rock walls.
Bachelor’s Button
Bachelor’s button plants self-seed very well. Bachelor’s buttons are hardy little plants that can grow in a wide range of climates and soil types. They are drought tolerant, and while blue is the most common color, it is far from exclusive. These flowers come in many shades of purple, pink, and white. They require little to no maintenance, and pollinators appreciate their presence, as well.
Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena Globose)
Globe Amaranth’s unique, pompom-like blooms in vibrant shades of pink, purple, and red make it a standout in containers and ornamental gardens. This fast-growing annual thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, attracting butterflies and requiring little maintenance.
Petunia (Petunia × hybrida)
Petunias are prolific bloomers, offering a range of trumpet-shaped flowers in purple, pink, white, and red. Their stunning display makes petunias a garden favorite. They are excellent for containers, hanging baskets, and rock gardens, blooming continuously with regular deadheading. Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny spot. These plants will bloom until the first frost to a garden full of vibrant colors and lush growth.
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum Majus)
Snapdragons are unique for their cooler season blooms, with tall spikes of tubular flowers adding height and interest. They prefer full sun or partial shade and fertile, well-draining soil. Best grown in zones 4-11, snapdragons are a delightful addition to any ornamental garden, especially during the transitional months of spring and fall.
Zinnia
Zinnias are a garden classic. Their bushy plants produce large, colorful flowers in a rainbow of shades from early summer to fall. They love full sun and well-drained soil, and frequent watering helps establish a long season of blooms.
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum Majus)
Nasturtiums are known for their trailing growth and bright green leaves complemented by orange, yellow, and red flowers. They excel in covering bare soil and can crowd out smaller plants. Thriving in full sun or partial shade, they tolerate drought and poor soil, making them ideal for rock gardens and hanging baskets.
Morning Glory
Morning Glory vines are famous for their large, trumpet-shaped blue flowers that open each morning and close in the afternoon. They require full sun, well-drained soil, and regular watering. These vines are typically annual but may be perennial in warmer climates. Plant morning glory for a dynamic, daily display of vibrant blooms.
16 Colorful Drought Tolerant Native Plants to Add to Your Yard
If you want to brighten your garden, consider these 16 native plants that will thrive and bring life to your yard.
16 Colorful Drought Tolerant Native Plants to Add to Your Yard
19 Sun Loving Perennials Perfect for Sun-Kissed Gardens
From the drought-tolerant yarrow to the sweet fragrance of garden phlox, each plant has a unique story and role in your garden’s ecosystem. Here are 19 perennials for your sunny garden spaces.
19 Sun Loving Perennials Perfect for Sun-Kissed Gardens
Build Your Dream Garden with These 16 Easy DIY Raised Beds
While pre-made raised beds can be expensive, building your own is a cost-effective alternative. With some basic materials and a bit of effort, you can construct your own raised beds at a fraction of the cost. Here are 16 DIY Raised garden bed projects to help you get started.
