30 Annual Flowers That Bloom All Summer Long

To fill your garden with color all summer, there are many annual flowers to choose from that bloom continuously, depending on your hardiness zone. While perennials return each year, their bloom period is often shorter. Annuals, on the other hand, bloom quickly and (given the right conditions) can flower for most of the year.

In the list below, you’ll find some of our favorite annuals that bloom all summer long. Many of these plants can be classified as perennials, but they are often grown as annuals depending on the climate. In most cases, treating them as annuals will give you the most consistent and vibrant blooms.

To get the best results, choose annuals that bloom across multiple seasons in your specific zone. So, let’s dig in and explore our list of annual flowers that typically thrive from summer through the first frost. With the right selection, you can enjoy a garden full of beautiful, long-lasting blooms all summer long.

Ageratum

For annual flowers that work well as fillers in your garden, consider ageratum. Also known as floss flower, this plant produces clusters of soft, wispy blooms in bright colors. It’s especially prized for its classic blue shade, though it also comes in purple, pink, and white. Mature plants can reach over 2 feet tall.

Ageratum is easy to grow and has a long bloom period. Plant it after the last spring frost, and you’ll enjoy blooms right up until the first freeze of winter. It thrives in a variety of soil types, as long as the soil stays moist. In warmer climates, ageratum benefits from partial sun, while in cooler regions it grows best in full sun.

Chrysanthemum

While chrysanthemums are technically perennials, they are often grown as annual flowers that bloom all summer. They bloom in a wide range of colors and sizes and can grow anywhere from 1 to 4 feet tall. Commonly known as mums, they’re often seen in full bloom in pots at the start of fall. For garden use, plant them in early spring.

Chrysanthemums thrive in rich, slightly moist soil. With full sun and regular deadheading, they’ll bloom throughout summer and fall. They handle both cold and heat well, and in warmer climates, you might even see blooms lasting into winter.

Cockscomb

Among hardy annual flowers, cockscomb is one you’ll likely plant year after year, especially in cooler climates. It produces large, velvety blooms in rich shades of red, orange, and yellow, with stems that can grow up to 12 inches long.

Although it grows in zones 2 to 12, cockscomb thrives in warmer regions. Plant it after the last spring frost. With full sun, moist neutral soil, and weekly watering, it will bloom continuously through fall.

Cornflower

Cornflowers are a stunning addition to any annual flower garden. Their pompom-style blooms sit atop tall stems and come in a range of colors including white, pink, and pale blue, though their classic and most iconic shade is true blue. With full sun, cornflowers can grow up to 2 feet tall.

To get the best annual flowers that bloom all summer, plant them after the last spring frost. They typically bloom for about two months, but with monthly pinching, rich soil, and weekly watering, you can enjoy their blooms well into the fall.

Cosmos

These low-maintenance flowers are ideal for beginner gardeners. With their daisy-like shape, simple petals, and tall stems, cosmos come in a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, and burgundy. Some varieties grow between 1 to 4 feet tall.

To thrive, cosmos need full sun and moist soil. For faster and more consistent blooms throughout the season, be sure to deadhead high on the stem.

Dahlia

Dahlias are considered tender annuals but can be overwintered in many climates. Known for their intricate, layered petals, dahlias come in nearly every color of the rainbow and a wide variety of patterns. They can grow up to 4 feet tall, making them a bold and beautiful addition to the garden from spring through fall.

Dahlias grow well in zones 3 to 10. Unlike many annuals, they are grown from tubers rather than seeds. For the best results, plant them deeply in warm soil once the weather has settled. Provide full sun and regular watering, and you’ll enjoy stunning blooms late into the season.

Felicia Daisy

Felicia daisies have a petite daisy shape with bright blue petals on long stems. They’re a great choice if you’re looking for summer annual flowers that naturally repel deer and rabbits.

Plant them after the last spring frost in a spot that receives full sun through late afternoon. Prune them back in midsummer when the first blooms begin to fade, and they’ll reward you with another flush of flowers that lasts until the first frost of winter.

Gerbera Daisy

Gerbera daisies are striking annual flowers that bloom all summer with a spray of long petals surrounding a central cluster of tiny florets. They come in both single and double-petal forms, with colors ranging from red and yellow to orange, pink, and white. The flowerheads span 3 to 5 inches in diameter, held on stems that reach 8 to 18 inches tall.

Low-maintenance and vibrant, gerbera daisies prefer warm climates but grow well in zones 5 to 10. Plant them in slightly acidic soil with full sun exposure and water weekly. To keep them blooming through summer and fall, prune and deadhead at least every other week.

Geranium

Also called scented-leaf geranium, these fragrant annual flowers are perfect for planting near a walkway where their scent can be enjoyed up close. They feature bushy, curly leaves and small white, pink, or red flowers with five distinct petals. With the right conditions, the foliage can grow up to 6 feet tall.

Plant them in spring for blooms that can last well into fall. For a stronger scent, keep the soil neutral and water sparingly. Regular pruning and deadheading will encourage continuous blooming. Just keep in mind that geraniums are highly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Gomphrena

Make an impact in your garden with these vibrant annual flowers that bloom all summer. Gomphrena produces globe-shaped bracts in a rainbow of colors, with feathery leaves surrounding the small flowers inside. These cheerful blooms attract pollinators and typically grow a few feet tall.

Plant gomphrena once the weather has warmed up. It’s easy to grow in zones 2 to 11 and thrives in neutral, sandy soil with full sun and regular watering. Once established, it needs little care and will continue blooming until winter.

Impatiens

Impatiens are among the most popular flowers grown and can be annuals or perennials, depending on your hardiness zone. Often seen in hanging baskets each spring, they come in a wide range of colors and shapes, typically featuring five delicate, wide petals. These low-growing plants thrive in shady spots.

Impatiens grow well as annuals in zones 2 to 11. They prefer partial sun or full shade and need regular watering, along with well-drained soil. Pinch back the stems regularly to encourage continuous blooms through to the first frost.

Lantana

Many lantana varieties are perennials depending on your location, but several cultivars are commonly grown as annuals. This tropical flowering shrub is a vibrant addition to any garden, producing bright clusters of small flowers in a wide range of colors. Plant lantana in its own pot or dedicated bed to prevent it from crowding out other plants.

Lantana grows well in zones 2 to 11 and can survive past the first winter freeze in warmer areas. It thrives in full sun and slightly acidic soil with regular watering. Prune it back after the first bloom to encourage continuous flowering throughout the year.

Keep in mind that lantana is highly toxic to all animals and is restricted in some regions where it’s considered invasive.

Marigold

Marigold is a garden favorite with its elaborate pleated petals in shades of yellow, orange, and gold. The blooms sit atop long stems and can reach up to 6 feet tall. Valued for both their beauty and medicinal benefits, most marigolds are annuals, though they are often mistaken for perennials because they readily self-seed.

Plant them in spring in a spot with full sun and moist, neutral soil. Water every few days early in the season, then reduce to once a week as they mature. Pinch off the first buds and deadhead regularly to enjoy continuous blooms all summer.

Moonflower

Moonflowers are perennials in subtropical climates but are grown as annuals in most other regions. A close relative of morning glory, this stunning tropical flower blooms at night, with large trumpet-shaped white flowers that stay open until morning. Its delicate vine can climb 10 to 15 feet high.

Moonflower is a perennial in zones 10 and 11 and an annual in all lower zones. Plant seeds near a trellis after the last frost, and you’ll enjoy blooms throughout summer and fall. It prefers full sun and moist soil, though it’s not particular about soil quality.

Note that in tropical climates, moonflower can be invasive.

Morning Glory

This flowering vine puts on a lovely display when its buds open in full sun. Morning glory features trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of white, pink, purple, and blue, along with large heart-shaped leaves and tendrils that easily cling to any support. The vines can grow up to 10 feet tall.

It needs full sun to open fully each day and prefers well-drained soil. Sow seeds once the ground is warm, and you’ll enjoy blooms from summer through fall.

Keep in mind that the seeds are toxic if consumed in large quantities. Store seed packets out of reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion.

Nasturtium

Technically, nasturtiums are perennials, but most people grow them from seed as annuals. They come in a range of sizes and shapes, with blooms in vibrant combinations of red, yellow, orange, pink, and purple. The trumpet-shaped flowers open into five petals. Some varieties are climbing vines that can reach up to 10 feet, while others stay low and sprawl up to 3 feet wide.

Nasturtiums are easy to grow and low-maintenance. Just give them partial sun, moist soil, and weekly watering. In most climates, they’ll bloom from spring until the first frost. Be cautious when planting, as some nasturtium varieties can become invasive.

Nigella

Nigella comes in shades of blue, pink, purple, and a striking white, often accented with bold black seeds. Its delicate blooms feature single or double layers of paper-thin petals surrounding a raised seed pod. Commonly known as love-in-a-mist, it’s named for the wispy, fine foliage that surrounds each flower.

Sow seeds once temperatures reach 60°F. For continuous blooms all summer, seed every three weeks through early summer. Provide rich, neutral soil and water weekly. Regular deadheading will help extend the bloom period until the first frost.

Pansy

For annual flowers that truly bloom all summer long, consider pansies. Like many flowers on this list, they can act as perennials in warmer climates. But in areas with more than a few light freezes, they’re best grown as annuals. These charming flowers have five petals—four pointing up and one pointing down—and come in a wide variety of color combinations. They stay low to the ground and often flop slightly on their thin stems.

Pansies are ideal for cooler weather. Plant them in early spring for blooms that last until summer. They’ll take a break in the heat and return in fall, blooming well past the first snowfall. For the best performance, give them moist, fertilized soil, partial sun, and deadhead spent blooms regularly.

Petunia

Today, you can find all kinds of petunia hybrids in the garden. Look for solid colors, speckled patterns, and striped varieties. They come with single or double petals that may be curly or smooth. Petunias are available in almost every color (except true blue) and are known for their sweet scent. The plants have furry, sticky leaves and short stems.

They don’t tolerate extreme heat well but are otherwise easy to care for. Plant them in moist, acidic soil, water weekly, and deadhead regularly. With proper care, they’ll bloom from early spring through the first frost of fall.

Primrose

For a flashy spring flower to brighten a garden emerging from winter, consider primrose. All primroses feature bowl-shaped blooms with five rounded petals, and they come in nearly every color of the rainbow except green. Some varieties grow in clusters, while others produce a single bud per stem.

Primroses prefer cool conditions with partial shade. They appear early in spring and thrive when planted in the right environment. To extend their bloom through summer, provide regular watering, nutrient-rich soil, and indirect light.

Salvia

Also known as common sage, salvia is a beautiful herbaceous plant that often acts as an annual depending on the climate. It produces tall stalks covered in small purple flowers that bloom through the fall and attract a wide range of pollinators. The plant, including its flower stalks, typically grows a few feet tall.

Plant salvia after the last spring frost, and you’ll see blooms within a few weeks. Cut back dying buds regularly to keep flowers coming through fall. It thrives in full sun with moist, neutral soil.

Snapdragon

Snapdragons get their name from their two-part flowerheads that resemble a dragon’s snout. The flowers even “snap” shut after bumblebees push them open to reach the pollen inside. Though technically short-lived perennials, snapdragons are most often grown as annuals. They bloom in clusters on upright stalks and come in a wide range of bright colors. Some varieties also release a light, sweet fragrance.

Since they take time to bloom, it’s best to start seeds indoors before the last spring frost. They prefer full sun in cooler climates, along with neutral soil and regular watering. For the most blooms in spring and summer, keep the soil moist. To extend flowering into fall, provide partial shade during hot weather.

Stock Flower

Stock flower produces clusters of small, double-petal blooms on tall stems surrounded by narrow leaves. It comes in a wide range of colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, and white, and typically grows between 1 to 3 feet tall.

Plant it after the ground has thawed, and it will bloom steadily until the intense heat of late summer. In milder climates, it may continue flowering until the first frost. For best results, provide neutral soil, regular watering, partial sun, and consistent deadheading to encourage blooms throughout the season.

Sunflower

While there are several variations of sunflowers, the most popular type features short yellow petals surrounding a large brown center on a stem that grows 3 to 6 feet tall. You can also find giant and dwarf varieties in a range of colors.

Grown in zones 2 to 11, sunflowers are heliotropic annual flowers that bloom all summer, meaning they follow the sun throughout the day. They thrive in full sun with regular watering and aren’t fussy about soil quality. Plant them after the last frost, and you’ll have blooms by summer. In the right conditions, they can continue flowering well into fall.

Sweet Pea

Most sweet peas are grown as annuals. These beautiful flowers have five intricate petals that resemble butterflies and come in shades of white, pink, and purple. Their sweet fragrance attracts a variety of pollinators. Plant them near a trellis or tripod in your vegetable garden, where their slender vines can climb and add a splash of color.

Native to the Mediterranean, sweet pea thrives in milder climates. Plant it after the last frost to enjoy blooms into fall. In warmer regions, provide partial shade to prevent stress. Sweet peas prefer alkaline soil and should be watered weekly. Regular deadheading will help keep the blooms coming all season long.

Twinspur

A relative of the snapdragon, twinspur features a distinctive lipped-petal flowerhead with one prominent, tongue-like lower petal. It comes in shades of red, pink, white, and purple, with small leaves on stems that grow 6 to 12 inches long.

Twinspur blooms best during the cooler temperatures of spring. To enjoy annual flowers that bloom all summer, provide full sun in cooler weather and partial shade during the hottest part of the season. It prefers moist, acidic soil and regular watering. Deadhead spent blooms to keep the flowers coming.

Verbena

Enjoy all the varieties of these vibrant annual flowers that bloom all summer. Verbena produces clusters of large or small blooms on long stems and comes in bright and pastel shades of pink, purple, and red.

Plant it after the last frost, and it will bloom quickly. For continuous blooms from spring through the first frost of winter, provide full sun and moderately dry, well-drained soil.

Vinca

Vinca, also known as periwinkle, features five overlapping petals atop a waxy dark green stem with glossy leaves. These annual flowers come in a range of colors including red, purple, pink, and white, and are a great addition to a butterfly garden.

Vinca grows well in zones 3 to 11 but thrives in warm weather. Plant it once the soil has warmed up, and it will bloom until the first frost. It prefers full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. Water only when the soil feels dry, as vinca is drought-tolerant once established.

Wax Begonias

Wax begonias are known for their glossy leaves and delicate blooms. The leaves are most commonly deep green, brown, or maroon, while the flowers appear in shades of pink or red. Though they can grow up to 18 inches tall, they typically spread to about a foot wide.

Wax begonias grow well in zones 2 to 11 and are adaptable to shade, partial sun, and full sun. They prefer moist but well-drained soil and regular watering. When watering, try to avoid wetting the leaves to prevent disease.

Plant them after the last spring frost, and if you move them indoors before the first frost of winter, you can enjoy their blooms year-round.

Zinnia

Zinnia comes in a range of variations, with blooms that can resemble daisies or even elaborate dahlias. These annual flowers appear in bright shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple—colors that pollinators love. Zinnias grow well in most climates and are a favorite among gardeners, including beginners.

Sow seeds directly into warm soil, and within a few weeks, you’ll have blooms that last until winter. For best results, give them full sun and plant in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.