Annual flowers grow, bloom, and set seed all within a single growing season, making them an excellent choice for gardeners who want fast and vibrant results. Unlike perennials, which take time to establish, annuals offer immediate color and impact. Orange annuals are an excellent option if you want to brighten your garden with warm, energetic tones.
Here are 12 orange annuals perfect for bringing a lively splash of color to your garden this season.
Petunia
Petunias are fast-growing, low-maintenance sun lovers that thrive in garden beds and containers. Hybrid varieties will not always breed true, so it’s difficult to say what your new flowers will look like.
With so many beautiful varieties available, there is a petunia for every garden. Petunias thrive in fertile soil and require a moderate amount of water. They bloom best in mild weather.
Marigold (Tagetes Spp.)
With a bushy growth and a spectrum of yellow, orange, and red blooms, Marigolds are one of the easiest plants to grow from seeds. They attract beneficial insects and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Sow marigolds directly in the soil in early spring for a continuous display of color through the warmer months.
Zinnias
Zinnias are a garden classic. Their bushy plants produce colorful flowers in shades of orange, pink, and yellow from early summer to fall. They love full sun and well-drained soil, and frequent watering helps establish a long season of blooms.
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum Majus)
Nasturtiums are known for their trailing growth, and bright green leaves are complemented by orange, yellow, and red flowers. They excel in covering bare soil and can crowd out smaller plants.
Thriving in full sun or partial shade, they tolerate drought and poor soil, making them ideal for rock gardens and hanging baskets.
Celosia
Celosia’s bold, spiky blooms bring vibrant color and texture to the garden. This adaptable plant thrives in full sun and warm temperatures. As an annual, it requires little maintenance and readily reseeds itself.
Plant it in the spring, and it will bloom steadily until the first frost. Self-sown seeds will ensure a fresh display the following season.
Pansies
These fast-growing, vibrant flowers work well in containers or garden beds. With bright and bi-colored edible flowers, pansies are popular in both fresh salads and desserts. They flourish in full morning sunlight and well-drained, fertile soil.
Calendula
Calendulas brighten the garden and offer more than just good looks. Their petals and leaves are edible, adding a mild, peppery flavor to salads or as a natural garnish. Beyond their beauty, calendulas serve a practical purpose by repelling pests, deer, and rabbits, making them a natural ally for vegetable gardens.
One of Calendula’s handy traits is its ability to self-seed, which often pops up in unexpected places. While it can spread beyond the garden, it doesn’t aggressively take over or threaten native plants, so it isn’t considered invasive.
Cosmos
Cosmos is a favorite among pollinators, attracting butterflies with their nectar-rich blooms. These easy-care flowers thrive in full sun and need consistent moisture until they’re well established.
Once mature, they become drought-tolerant and require little upkeep. Known for their ability to self-seed, cosmos often return year after year, effortlessly filling the garden with their delicate, daisy-like flowers.
California Poppy
California Poppies bring big, bold, gorgeous colors to the landscape, and most types self-seed freely and reliably. These cheerful flowers make great cut flowers and are naturally deer-resistant and drought-tolerant. For the best results, plant your poppies in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.
Impatiens
Impatiens are attractive flowering plants that prefer partial shade and will self-seed if their seed pods are left on the plant. These mounding plants are not aggressive about self-seeding. Impatiens look stunning in a mass planting. They need rich, moist soil.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are perennials in zones 5 to 9 but are often grown annually in other zones. They require full sun and well-drained soil, blooming from late summer to fall.
Lantana
This sun-loving perennial is treated as an annual in cooler climates but is hardy in zones 9 to 11. Its clusters of small, brightly colored flowers can attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a perfect addition to any garden.
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