Z is for zinnia! Large, frilly flowers sit atop 18-20” stems that make them great for cut flowers in a bouquet. They are especially great for scattering in a sunny location and come in all colors of the rainbow! Pollinators will really dig their color and easy access to pollen. Zone 3-9.
Verbena is a long blooming, creeping annual with lollipop blooms of lilac, purple, pinks and blues. Its long reaching stems are fantastic for container planting and garden beds alike. Deadheading is unnecessary with these low maintenance annuals and they only reach 8-12” tall and wide. They are especially heat tolerant and can handle our harsh
Thunbergia, otherwise known as black eyed susan vines. The beautiful simplicity of its yellow flowers combined with gorgeous, full leaved vines make this annual one of the most popular at Moonfire! It’s fast growing and perfect for containers with a trellis as it grows up to 24” tall and wide. Plant in full sun for
One of the easiest flowers to grow, sunflowers are some of the most rewarding too. Many varieties of sunflower exist, ranging in color and height, but they all love full sun exposure. Most have massive yellow flowers and strong, tall stems that can reach up to 6 feet. Scatter their seeds in the spring for
With hooded flowers resembling little gaping mouths, the snapdragon will open wide when a bee lands on their petals to accept pollination. The colorful spikes of flowers are particularly attractive in mixes and they’re actually edible! Plant them in a sunny spot and expect 6-15” of height. Snapdragons are prolific reseeders which makes for a
Otherwise known as persian buttercup, the intricately layered petals of ranunculus blooms create a full and fluffy flower that you could stare at all day! Plant multiple for a spectacular array of colors! In Latin, rana means “frog” and unculus translates to “little”. Just like little frogs, ranunculus love moist soil conditions! Often planted as
This iconic annual is a classic choice for your sunny spring or summer garden whether it’s in hanging planters, windowboxes, porch pots or a mass planting in your landscape. From stripes to spots and even glow-in-the-dark white, their variety of colors is unparalleled in the annual world. Their wavy petals and soft fuzzy leaves make
One of the most eye catching flowers in the garden, passion flowers are complex and expansive, ranging from deep hues of blues, purples, pinks and reds. Three pronged leaves grow off of these impressive climbers; the vines can trail up to 10-30 feet! Passion flower vine is great for trellises, fences, posts and for attracting
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Pansies and violas are no pansies! The pansy is a tough, cold tolerant biennial that has the ability to bloom in colder weather, unlike many of its annual friends. They also come in every color of the rainbow! Pansies and violas are short, mounding plants with lovely cheerful multicolored flowers that resemble happy faces! These
Part of the African Daisy family, Osteospermum sport gorgeous wide, full flowers with spectacular colors that fade into the next like a sunset. Short and mounding, they are excellent container plants and fill up a pot easily and with little maintenance. Full sun to part sun exposure will yield you the best blooms! Osteospermum can
A Moonfire staff favorite, the Nasturtium has whimsical vines that will trail and climb with ease. They sport wavy green stems, soft, five-petaled flowers and adorable lily-pad leaves. Their pastel blooms are edible and add a peppery flavor to salads. Nasturtiums can climb up to 5’ with a trellis or crawl along the ground just
Marigolds have globus puffballs of orange and yellow flowers that stand out like blazing suns! Stemming back to Aztec traditions honoring the goddess of the dead, the Marigold is considered sacred and utilized as iconic symbols of life, death, and connection, especially during Dia De Los Muertos celebrations. Plant them near vegetables and herbs to
Tiny flowers often seen in electric blue or purple shades, lobelia clusters and crawls, making your hanging baskets feel abundant. Deadheading is not necessary for long lasting blooms. Plant in part to full sun and watch them grow up to 6-12 inches tall and spill 24 inches! Zone 9-11.
Nothing beats the soft, tangy scent of lemon verbena. For those of you with mosquito problems, It acts as a bug repellent! Lemon verbena blooms are white and dainty and add an elegant texture to your garden. Enjoy them muddled in a cocktail or mixed into a baked good for a fragrant treat! Planting them
Lantana is a tough annual with rough leaves and some of the most unique flower shapes. The petals are actually square and come in a variety of warm sunset colors reminiscent of sherbet. Due to their cat tongue like texture and astringent smell, deer tend to stay away! A unique feature of Lantana is that
Ipomoea, otherwise known as sweet potato vine, are annuals that sport vibrant chartreuse or maroon foliage and are excellent trailers that will reliably spill from a pot to create an attractive and lush cascading look. They’re a brilliant addition to cover bare spots in your planters and can tolerate full to part sun. Watch them
Impatiens, otherwise known as touch-me-nots, are dreamy, perfectly shaped rosette flowers with creamy pastel petals that contrast perfectly with their dark green leaves. They’re a must in your shade garden for the growing season. They’re particularly great for edging and container gardens because of their low height and spreading habit. Zone 10-11.
One of the most prolific sources of fragrance among annual flowers. Hanging baskets feel full and colorful when geraniums are present. Their mounding habit fills up a pot like no other and you’ll never get tired of that smell! With some deadheading, they tend to outlast every other hanging annual basket! They can tolerate sun
Also known as african daisies, gazanias boast bold yellow and orange petals with fun black stripes. Named after the Greek scholar Theodorus Gaza, Gazanias are a popular choice for summer landscapes. They thrive in fun sun, well-draining soil, making them hard to mess up in our high desert environment! Their big blooms open in the
An annual so drop dead gorgeous, they named a color after it! First discovered in the Caribbean by botanist Leonard Fuchs, fuchsias produce robust green foliage dripping with purple, pink or white jewels of flowers, ruffled and dainty like frilly skirts. They are absolute stunners in hanging baskets, and can dangle to 24” long. Fuchsias
