Mastering Challenging, Late-Summer Annual Blooms: A Guide to 5 Tough-to-Grow Species

Easy-to-Grow Annual Flowers for Beginners

In the world of gardening, annual flowers are a cost-effective and vibrant way to add colour to any garden. Here are some of the easiest annual flowers for beginners, as suggested by gardening experts.

Annual Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)

This sun-loving, heat-tolerant flower blooms all summer in various colours and requires minimal maintenance, as no deadheading is needed. It thrives in full sun to part shade and moist, well-draining soil.

Wax Begonias

Wax Begonias are very undemanding regarding sunlight, as they can grow in both sun and shade. They do not require deadheading or cutting back and have fleshy stems that deter overwatering problems. They are great for containers or beds.

Cosmos

Easy to grow and low maintenance, Cosmos bloom in a variety of colours with simple daisy-like petals. Ideal for beginners, they thrive in full sun with well-drained soil.

Marigolds

Popular annuals with bright yellow, orange, and gold pleated petals, Marigolds grow from seed easily, respond well to full sun, and need regular watering when young but less as they mature.

Sunflowers

Very easy to grow, Sunflowers require little watering once established, tolerate poor soil, and thrive in full sun. They are available in a range of heights and colours, making them great for kids’ gardens.

Petunias

Blooming from spring to the first frost, Petunias are easy to grow in full sun with well-drained soil and are pest-resistant. They offer a wide range of colours and scents.

Alyssum

Fast-growing ground cover with tiny, fragrant flowers, Alyssum prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. It is suitable for borders, accents, and hanging baskets.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons, or Antirrhinum, bring colour to beds, borders, and containers and attract pollinators. They bloom from early summer to fall and are available in soft pastels and vibrant hues. To maintain plant health and bloom production, water them 2 to 3 times a week, but only if the soil is already dry.

Morning Glory

Morning glory is a fast-growing climbing plant that can grow to 4m high and is ideal for covering a bare fence or growing up a pergola. It needs a long growing season and should be sown 6 weeks before the last frost to give it the best chance of maturing and flowering before the end of summer. Plant it in a sunny and sheltered spot where it will receive at least 6 hours of sun per day.

Sweet Peas

Sweet peas thrive in US hardiness zones 3-8. They require near-constant picking and deadheading to keep them blooming and stop them from going to seed. They also need vertical support, such as an obelisk or teepee, and prefer full sun and a rich, moisture-retentive soil. Regular irrigation, incorporating lots of well-rotted manure or organic matter into the soil before planting, and a weekly feed with a high-potash fertilizer will help ensure a great display of sweet peas.

Nicotiana

Nicotiana, also known as flowering tobacco plants, are celebrated for their fragrant, long-lasting blooms and ability to attract moths. They are ideal for cottage gardens. The varieties Nicotiana alata and Nicotiana sylvestris have delicate flowers and an evening scent. They flower from early summer to fall.

Heaven Scent Nicotiana

Heaven Scent Nicotiana is available from Burpee.

Deadheading

Regular deadheading is needed to prevent the vine from wasting energy on seed production in morning glory and to encourage new blooms to emerge in snapdragons. This is done by removing the spent flower stalks as soon as the blooms finish, just above a leaf node.

Germination

Antirrhinum seeds are best handled with a damp toothpick and sown in modules. For germination, Nicotiana seeds should not be covered but gently pressed into the soil and kept at 72-78°F. Snapdragons do not need to be covered for germination, like Nicotiana.

Sweet Peas and Mice

Sweet peas have deep roots and are best sown in root trainers or deep pots and kept far from mice, who seem to adore freshly sown sweet pea seeds. To prevent mice from eating sweet pea seeds, they can be sown indoors or placed under a few sprigs of prickly holly.

Growing Conditions

Snapdragons prefer a cooler climate and can benefit from some shade from the midday sun. Nicotiana plants require full sun to partial shade and a consistently moist soil to thrive. In less-than-ideal, dry, and free-draining, south-facing beds, Nicotiana plants may struggle, while those in a more moisture-retentive soil and dappled shade thrive.

Difficult Annual Flowers

Some annual flowers can be difficult to grow, with issues like germination problems, lack of flowers, pests, and diseases. However, with the right care and conditions, these easy-to-grow annual flowers can bring a burst of colour and life to any garden.

Mastering Challenging, Late-Summer Annual Blooms: A Guide to 5 Tough-to-Grow Species