10 Easy-Care Annuals That Flourish Despite Neglect
Geeking Up Your Garden: Easy, Vibrant Annuals Thriving in Shade (and More!)
Step up your gardening game and watch your shady space burst into a riot of colors! Some annuals don't need direct sunlight to thrive and are, in fact, quite easy to grow. We tapped the wisdom of expert horticulturists to share their top picks for heat- and drought-tolerant annuals that would bring a pop of color to your garden.
- Tabar Gifford, partnership cultivator and master gardener at American Meadows
- Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms, a grower of an impressive 1,500 plant varieties on 5,200 acres
Brilliant Blooms to Light Up Your Shady Spots
Zinnia
Bright and bold, zinnias (Zinnia elegans) remain a garden staple for their daisy-like or pom-pom-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, and white. These heat-loving charmers not only thrive in sun exposure, but they're equally adept at growing in the shade. Tabar Gifford, partnership cultivator and master gardener at American Meadows, praises the zinnia for being "incredibly easy to grow from seed and thriving in heat and poor soil." Oh, and they bloom nonstop from summer to frost!
- Care requirements: Full sun or partial shade; average, well-drained soil
California Poppy
Silky and cup-shaped, California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are iconic blooms that flourish in tough conditions. Their bright orange, yellow, or red flowers offer a wild, natural look to the garden. "They're drought-tolerant and self-sufficient," shares Gifford. These beauties self-sow, spreading throughout the garden without any assistance from you.
- Care requirements: Full sun or partial shade; sandy or well-drained soil
Add a Splash of Color with These Easy-to-Grow Annuals## Cosmos
Slender and graceful, cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) are striking additions to any garden with their delicate fern-like foliage and daisy-like blooms in shades of pink, white, and magenta. Big fans of the cosmos declare it a "whimsical charm" for its drought tolerance, self-seeding ability, and prolific blooming.
- Care requirements: Full sun or partial shade; average, well-drained soil
Summer Snapdragon
Summer snapdragon (Angelonia) is a subtropical perennial that grows as an annual in most regions. They produce spikes of pink, purple, blue, or white flowers, and some varieties are even fragrant! Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms, notes that it's drought-tolerant, but blooms best with regular watering.
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Marigolds
A classic for a reason, marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are star pest repellers for many gardeners. Their cheerful yellow, orange, or red blooms brighten up any garden. Marigolds are heat-tolerant, easy to grow from seed, and can thrive in both full sun and shade environments.
- Care requirements: Full sun or partial shade; well-drained soil
Wild-looking heat and drought champions
Sunflowers
Don't underestimate sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) as they're tougher than they look! They tolerate poor soil, dry conditions, and neglect with ease while shining bright with their large, yellow blooms. "Sunflowers are loved by pollinators and birds," says Gifford, who also adds that they grow quickly and bring structure to the garden.
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Blanket Flower
Native to North America, the blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella) boasts vibrant daisy-like flowers that rarely need deadheading. Its self-seeding nature combined with drought tolerance and excellent heat tolerance make it one of the friendliest annuals for gardeners. "Pollinators love the blanket flower's orange, yellow, and red blooms," says Gifford.
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained, sandy, or rocky soil
Larkspur
Tall and upright, larkspur (Delphinium consolida) offers an interesting contrast to other flowers with its early-season color. It's cold-hardy, self-seeds easily, and is deer-resistant. This lovely flower adds vertical interest to the garden while requiring minimal care once established.
- Care requirements: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil
Evolvulus
Low-growing and vibrant, evolvulus (Evolvulus spp.) is a favorite of gardeners for its delicate silvery-blue foliage and flowers that open in the morning. Despite its delicate appearance, it is quite resilient and can survive periods of drought once established.
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Friendly reminder: Though these annuals are hardy, they still require some maintenance to thrive in your garden. Choose the right location, provide appropriate watering, and use the proper soil to help them bloom their best. Happy gardening!
Enrichment Insights:- Sunflower and blanket flower stand out for their robustness and ability to self-sow while tolerating heat and drought conditions.- Blanket flower and larkspur are noted for their tolerance to poor and sandy soils with minimal water and care requirements.- These easy-to-grow annuals are recommended by experts for gardeners seeking low-maintenance, heat- and drought-tolerant plants that also self-seed to simplify garden upkeep.
- Martha Stewart's flower gardens could include vibrant zinnias, California poppies, cosmos, marigolds, summer snapdragons, and even sunflowers, adding a pop of color to the home-and-garden lifestyle.
- Similarly, home-and-garden enthusiasts might consider incorporating easy-to-grow annuals such as cosmos, summer snapdragons, and marigolds into their garden designs, following tips from horticulturists like Tabar Gifford and Justin Hancock.
- For those interested in creating a wild-looking garden with heat and drought champions, blanket flowers, larkspur, and evolvulus are some of the numerous annual options that self-seed and thrive under such conditions, recommended by experts like Tabar Gifford.
