Easy Annual Plants That Bloom All Summer Long

Planting annuals in the spring and giving them some basic care throughout the growing season will give you a payback of endless summer color. Some annuals thrive in cooler seasons, while others need the heat of summer in order to thrive. Typically, garden centers sell the appropriate annuals for the season at hand — or soon to come. If in doubt, ask. This is especially important in early spring when summer annuals have started their growing season in the cozy confines of a warm greenhouse. Once they enter the world of cool spring nights, they often stop growing. For these heat-loving annuals, planting too early can cause them to perish as chilly air and cool soil causes plants to stall or even rot.

These are actually tender perennials typically grown as annuals. The upright forms make wonderful bedding plants; the pendulous ones look magnificent in hanging pots. The tubers should be planted in spring in rich soil or potting medium, with the concave side up and just the bottom half of the tuber buried. Once growth begins, apply 22-14-14 fertilizer every three weeks until flower buds begin to form. At that time, switch to 0-10-10 fertilizer, applied on the same schedule. Pick off flowers as they fade. When the plants begin to turn yellow in the fall, withhold water. When the tops are completely dry, dig the tubers from the soil, and remove the tops. Dry them in the sun for a few days, then dust the tubers with sulfur powder or another fungicide to prevent rot. Store in paper containers in a cool, dry, dark place until planting time in spring.

Also known as busy Lizzie, this subshrubby perennial is usually grown as an annual. It requires filtered light or shade and fast-draining soil rich in organic matter. If you plant from nursery six-packs, loosen the root balls gently, then place each plant in fresh potting soil, making sure you don't bury the crown. Water well after planting, and wait for the top 2 inches of soil to dry before watering again. Apply no fertilizer until the plants begin to grow; then feed them every two weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Impatiens make good container or bedding plants.

New Guinea impatiens are a group of hybrids prized for their dramatic foliage and bright flowers. Often grown as annuals, they can be planted in sunny spots, unlike Impatiens walleriana, but their leaves and flowers can burn in full sun. If you live in a hot climate, give the plants 4-6 hours of sun each day, or grow them in a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and apply a slow-release, granular fertilizer as directed on the product label.