Top Annuals for Pots and Borders with Season-Long Color
Ah, the joys of annual flowers! These vibrant, short-lived beauties are the unsung heroes of any well-manicured garden. While perennials get all the glory, annuals are the workhorses that keep our outdoor spaces bursting with color from spring to frost. And as a building and renovation company in Aberdeen, UK, we know a thing or two about bringing color and life to drab spaces.
Sowing the Seeds of Seasonal Splendor
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, it’s time to start planning our annual flower displays. But where do we begin? With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect annuals for our pots and borders. Fear not, my fellow gardening enthusiasts! I’m here to share my top picks for annuals that will keep your garden aglow all season long.
Angelonia, or the “summer snapdragon,” is a must-have for any outdoor space. This heat-loving, deer-resistant annual boasts long-lasting, fragrant flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The “Archangel Pink” variety, with its upright habit and modest size, is perfect for containers or adding a pop of color to garden borders. Just remember to water it a few times a week for the first three weeks, then switch to a weekly watering schedule.
Another annual that’s sure to captivate your guests is the humble zinnia. These vibrant, easy-to-grow flowers come in a rainbow of hues and can be sown directly into your garden. I love the idea of creating a “meadow-annual” look by interplanting a mix of different zinnias, cosmos, and other annuals. It’s a cost-effective way to achieve that effortless, English cottage-garden vibe.
Perking Up Pots and Borders
Of course, annuals aren’t just for filling in empty spaces – they can be the stars of the show in their own right. Take the ever-reliable blanket flower, for example. With its bold, daisy-like blooms that last from midsummer to frost, this drought-tolerant annual is perfect for sprucing up pots and borders. And the best part? Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone, making it a low-maintenance choice for those of us with furry garden visitors.
If you’re looking to add some height and drama to your displays, sunflowers are always a crowd-pleaser. From the classic golden giants to the more compact, multi-headed varieties, these cheerful flowers are sure to turn heads. And the best part? You can save the seeds to plant again next year, keeping the cycle of color and joy going.
Embracing the Unexpected
Of course, no discussion of annuals would be complete without mentioning the unsung heroes – the “old-fashioned” flowers that often get overlooked in favor of their flashier counterparts. Marigolds, for instance, are often dismissed as common or even garish, but their vibrant hues and pungent aroma can add so much character to a garden. And let’s not forget about the humble petunia – a true workhorse that can thrive in sun or shade, cascading over the edges of planters or lining garden borders.
As a building and renovation company in Aberdeen, UK, we understand the transformative power of a little color and life. Whether you’re sprucing up a drab patio or adding some curb appeal to your home, annuals are the secret weapon that can turn any outdoor space into a true oasis. So why not embrace the unexpected and let your garden flourish with a vibrant tapestry of seasonal splendor? Your green thumb (and your guests) will thank you for it.
