Types of Annual Flowers

This is a list of the types of annual flowers that have performed the best over a period of years that can be valuable to most garden enthusiasts.

The following list has proven to be quite trust worthy in the central states and most will be effective wherever you live.

Fall and Winter Flowers

The following varieties are excellent in zones 6 and probably would do fairlywell in somewhat colder zones by offering protection such as micro climates.

In the far south where temperatures routinely rise into the eighty degree plus range the items listed here would become leggy and undesirable.

Selections for the warmer seasons should be made from the summer annual flowers list.

Pansies

Majestic Giants

• Blue
• Mixture
• Ocean
• Purple
• Red
• Rose
• Roslyn
• White
• Yellow

Dynamite

• Orange
• Pink
• Silhouette
• Wine Flash

Crown Series

• Azure
• Blue
• Cream
• Mixture
• Purple
• Rose
• White
• Yellow

Delta

• Citrus Mix
• Cool Water Mixture
• True Blue

Lavender Shades

Ornamental Kale

• Red
• White

Ornamental Swiss Chard

Violas

• Lemon
• Lilac
• Yellow Delight

In zones 6 and 6B where we live I have noticed snapdragons and dianthus being offered for sale but having tested them here I have found that their flower power is quite limited.

Pansies and violas on the other hand tend to give a great display all winter long with a magnificent display during early spring.

It is also true that pansies and violas tend to rest or not bloom as frequently during January but are wonderful during the months of October, November, December, February, March and April.

With the arrival of May it is time to remove the fall and winter plants and install the annuals for spring and summer.

I must state that in somewhat colder climates pansies are considered to be and used as biennials whereas violas are enjoyed as perennials.

However, in my zone of 6B the heat starting in late spring is just too intense causing the plants to become leggy and must be removed from the landscape beds.