Top 10 Full Sun Annuals for a Bright and Bold Garden

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Top 10 Full Sun Annuals for a Bright and Bold Garden

Brighten up your garden with the best full sun annuals that thrive in hot weather! If you love spending time outdoors admiring nature’s beauty, then filling your garden with colorful flowers is one way to do it. However, not all plants can handle the heat of summer when the sun beats down mercilessly on them. Fortunately, there are many annuals that can flourish even in these conditions.

What are marigolds?

Marigolds are an annual that come in various shades of yellow, gold, and orange. They have a distinctive smell that function as a natural insect repellant. Marigolds are relatively easy to grow from seed and should be sown after the last frost date has passed.

How to grow marigolds from seed?

Sow the seeds directly into well-draining soil where they will receive plenty of sunlight. Water them regularly, but do not overwater. After about three weeks, thin out the seedlings so that each plant is spaced about eight inches apart.

Tips for taking care of marigolds

Marigolds don't require much maintenance besides regular watering. If they get too dried out or wilted looking, give them some extra water. Deadhead faded blooms to encourage more flowers throughout the season.

What are zinnias?

Zinnias are bright and showy annuals with flowers in shades of pink, yellow, orange, red, and purple. They can grow quite tall, up to three feet high, and have a long bloom season from summer through fall.

How to plant zinnias?

Zinnias prefer well-draining soil that gets plenty of sunlight. Do not overwater as this can lead to root rot. If planting from seed, start them indoors about four weeks before the last frost date, and then transplant outside after the danger of frost has passed.

Tips for growing zinnias

Zinnias need sun and warmth, so make sure they get adequate sunlight. Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowers, and cut down leggy plants to encourage bushier growth.

What are sunflowers?

Sunflowers are cheerful annuals usually associated with summer. With their large bright yellow blooms atop sturdy stalks, they make a bold statement in any garden setting.

How to plant sunflowers?

Sunflowers need soil with good drainage but will do well in most types of soil. Sow the seeds directly into the ground where they will receive full sun. Plant them about two to three inches deep and water them well, but do not overwater.

Tips for caring for sunflowers

Once sunflowers start growing tall, the stems can become heavy, requiring staking to keep them upright. Protect plants from birds that may want to eat the tender shoots and flowers. Deadhead the blooms as soon as they begin to fade, and consider saving some seeds for next year's planting.

What are cosmos?

Cosmos are lovely annuals with ferny foliage and delicate looking pink, white, or red daisy-like flowers on long, slender stems. They attract butterflies and other pollinators.

How to grow cosmos from seed?

To start cosmos indoors, sow seedlings in a sterile seed-starting mix six weeks before the last frost date. Transplant the young plants outside after the danger of frost has passed. Sow directly into the soil when the weather is favorable.

Tips for taking care of cosmos

Deadheading spent blooms encourages more flowering. Keep soil moist but do not overwater. Cosmos are self-seeders, so leave a few blooms on the plant at the end of the season to create a beautiful display next year.

What are petunias?

Petunias come in a wide range of colors, from white and pink to purple and red. These versatile annuals are great for adding color to garden beds as well as in containers.

How to plant petunias?

Petunias prefer full sun and well-draining soil. If planting from seed, start indoors six weeks before the last frost date. For best results, pinch off the top 1 to 2 inches of growth to encourage branching before transplanting outside.

Tips for growing petunias

Petunias require regular watering and benefit from deadheading spent blooms. To keep them looking their best, fertilize once a month throughout the growing season.

What is vinca?

Vinca, also known as periwinkle, is an evergreen perennial that often gets treated as an annual in colder climates. It has shiny leaves and delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

How to grow vinca from cuttings?

Take cuttings from healthy plants in early spring or fall. Remove the leaves from the lower third of the cutting and then dip the end in rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in well-draining soil and water well, but do not overwater.

Tips for maintaining vinca plants

Vinca prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Water deeply, but infrequently to prevent root rot. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage more flowering.

What is portulaca?

Portulaca, also known as purslane or moss rose, is a low-growing annual with delicate pink, red, yellow, or white flowers that bloom throughout the summer.

How to plant portulaca in a container?

Choose a container with good drainage and fill it with a soilless potting mix. Plant portulaca seedlings or seeds about one inch deep, and water well but do not overwater.

Tips for watering portulaca plants

Portulaca is drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering. Water only when the soil becomes dry. Do not water from above as wet foliage can cause diseases.

What is salvia?

Salvia, also known as sage, is a versatile herb used in cooking and herbal medicine. It is also a popular garden annual because of its brightly colored flowers that come in shades of purple, blue, pink, and red.

How to care for salvia plants?

Salvia prefers well-draining soil enriched with compost or other organic matter. Water regularly, but do not overwater. Prune the plant back by one-third to one-half in mid-summer to encourage bushier growth and more blooms.

Tips for pruning salvia

After blooms fade, cut the spent flowers off with pruning shears. To encourage fuller growth, cut back stems midway through the growing season.

What are nasturtiums?

Nasturtiums are an edible annual that has lovely red, orange, or yellow blooms. These flowers are great for adding color to salads, and they also attract pollinators to your garden.

How to plant nasturtiums in a hanging basket?

Choose a basket with good drainage and fill it with a soilless potting mix. Plant the seedlings about one inch deep and water well, but do not overwater. Place the basket in full sun where it will get at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.

Tips for harvesting nasturtiums

Harvest nasturtium flowers and leaves regularly to keep the plant producing more blooms. Use them fresh in salads or to garnish fish dishes.

What is celosia?

Celosia, also known as cockscomb, is an annual with brightly colored flower plumes that last throughout the summer and fall. The flowers come in shades of red, orange, pink, yellow, and purple.

How to grow celosia from seed?

Sow celosia seeds indoors six weeks before the last frost date, then transplant the young plants outside after the danger of frost has passed. Plant seedlings about eight inches apart in well-drained soil.

Tips for propagating celosia plants

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