10 Low-Maintenance Annuals That Thrive Even When Neglected

Mandevilla pink flowers in a garden — Credit:
RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images

Annual flowers are an incredible way to add color to the garden for a single growing season, allowing you to fill in blank spaces between perennials and customize your garden every year. Even better? Many annuals are easy to grow and long-blooming, thriving through periods of drought and neglect. To help you choose the easiest varieties for your garden, we spoke to experts who shared their favorite low-maintenance annuals.

Tabar Gifford, partnership cultivator and master gardener at American Meadows
Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms, a grower of more than 1,500 plant varieties on 5,200 acres

01 of 10

Zinnia

Known for their bright, bold blooms in a rainbow of colors, zinnias (Zinnia elegans) produce daisy-like or pom-pom-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, and white. "Zinnias are vibrant, cheerful, and bloom nonstop from summer to frost. They’re incredibly easy to grow from seed and thrive in heat and poor soil," says Tabar Gifford, partnership cultivator and master gardener at American Meadows. Zinnias are heat- and drought-tolerant, thriving with minimal care.

Zones: Annual in all zones
Size: 18 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; average, well-drained soil

02 of 10

California Poppy

California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) produce silky, cup-shaped flowers in shades of bright orange, yellow, or red. "These iconic blooms thrive in tough conditions and bring a wild, natural look to the garden," says Gifford. "They’re drought-tolerant and self-sufficient." California poppies self-sow, spreading throughout the garden without any help on your end.

Zones: Annual in 2 to 8
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; sandy or well-drained soil

03 of 10

Cosmos

Tall plants with delicate, fern-like foliage, cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) put on a show in the garden with daisy-like blooms in shades of pink, white, and magenta. "Cosmos bring a whimsical charm to any garden. They’re drought-tolerant, self-seeding, and bloom profusely with minimal care," Gifford says.

Zones: Annual in all zones
Size: 36 to 60 inches tall x 18 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; average, well-drained soil

04 of 10

Summer Snapdragon

Angelonia plants — Wirestock / Getty Images

Summer snapdragon (Angelonia) is a subtropical perennial that is grown as an annual throughout North America, says Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms. "It bears spikes of pink, purple, blue, or white flowers, and some varieties are fragrant," he says. "Once established, it’s pretty drought tolerant—but the more drought it endures, the less it will bloom."

Zones: Annual in all zones
Size: 8 to 16 inches tall x 8 to 16 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

05 of 10

Marigolds

Marigold plant perennial/ annual, herbaceous, with fibrous roots. Flowers yellow, roundish, large sized with musky pungent fragrance. — Ravinder Kumar / Getty Images

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are a star companion plant for various flowers, herbs, and vegetables. These pest-repelling flowers produce cheerful yellow, orange, or red blooms and are available in short or tall varieties. "Marigolds are garden workhorses—pest-repellent, heat-tolerant, and easy to grow from seed. They bloom all season and are great for borders or containers," Gifford says.

Zones: Annual in all zones
Size: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

06 of 10

Sunflowers

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) tolerate dry conditions, poor soil, and neglect, making them one of the best low-maintenance annuals for the garden. "Sunflowers are fast-growing, heat-tolerant, and loved by pollinators and birds," Gifford adds. "They bring instant joy and structure to any garden."

Zones: Annual in all zones
Size: 2 to 12 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

07 of 10

Blanket Flower

Blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella) is a native plant with vibrant, daisy-like flowers that rarely need deadheading. Its long bloom and drought-tolerant nature make it a favorite among gardeners. Gifford adds that pollinators love blanket flower's vibrant orange, yellow, and red blooms.

Zones: Annual in all zones
Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained, sandy, or rocky soil

08 of 10

Larkspur

With its tall, upright blooms, larkspur (Delphinium consolida) adds vertical interest and early-season color to the garden. "It’s cold-hardy, self-seeds easily, and is a favorite for spring bouquets," says Gifford, adding that this plant is also deer-resistant.

Zones: Annual in all zones
Size: 24 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil

09 of 10

Evolvulus

Evolvulus (Evolvulus spp.) is a low-growing ground cover with silvery-blue foliage and vibrant flowers. "A relative of morning glory, its flowers open in the morning and often close up by midafternoon (though giving it some early afternoon shade can extend the life of the flowers into the afternoon)," says Hancock. Despite its delicate appearance, evolvulus is extremely resilient and can survive periods of drought once established.

Zones: Annual in all zones
Size: 6 to 18 inches tall x 24 to 36 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

10 of 10

Mandevilla

Mandevilla (Mandevilla spp.) can survive temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit with ease, making it ideal for regions with intense summers. "It sports trumpet-shaped flowers primarily in shades of red, pink, and white, but newer selections also come in yellow, peach, and purple," says Hancock. "It’s attractive to hummingbirds and has drought tolerance, making it a good pick for beginners."

Zones: Annual in all zones
Size: 3 to 10 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

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