There’s something really rewarding about planting annual flowers—they’re simple, beautiful, and give you that instant splash of color every garden needs.
I’ve always loved playing around with different combinations to see what works best. Some pairings just click and make the whole space feel more alive. I’ve put together 25 easy and eye-catching combos that I think you’ll really like.
Whether your garden’s in full swing or just getting started, these ideas are here to give you a bit of inspiration.
1. Sunset Bliss
Ever seen a sunset so beautiful you wished you could capture it forever? With marigolds, zinnias, and cosmos, you can. These fiery shades of orange, yellow, and pink mimic the sky’s evening show.
Marigolds’ hardy blooms stand tall, while zinnias add fullness. Cosmos brings a delicate touch, swaying in the breeze. This trio is not just a visual treat; it’s a pollinator’s paradise.
Bees and butterflies can’t resist. Imagine sitting in your garden, the flowers reflecting the sunset, sipping on a cool lemonade. It’s paradise found. Try these in a sunny spot for a pop of warmth.
2. Pastel Dream
Pastel petunias, sky-blue lobelias, and creamy alyssums make everything possible. The petunias’ gentle pink petals are like a blush on the garden’s cheeks.
Lobelias add a splash of sky, while alyssums sprinkle a touch of cream. This combination whispers elegance and tranquility. Perfect for a calming corner in your garden where you can unwind.
As the sun sets, these colors glow softly, creating a serene escape. Plant them in containers or borders to enjoy their gentle charm.
3. Tropical Fiesta
Ever wanted a piece of the tropics in your backyard? Red hibiscus, orange nasturtiums, and yellow marigolds bring the fiesta to you. Hibiscus flowers are like show-stopping dancers, their large blooms swaying in the wind.
Nasturtiums add a peppery perfume and a splash of fun. Marigolds complete this lively scene with their sunny disposition. Together, they create a festival of colors and scents.
Perfect for those who love a lively garden. Plant them where they’ll get plenty of sun and watch your garden come alive with energy.
4. Cool Blues
For those who find peace in cool tones, this combo of cornflowers, blue salvia, and forget-me-nots is a dream. Cornflowers bring a splash of deep blue, reminding one of a summer sky.
Blue salvia adds height and elegance, while forget-me-nots offer a delicate ground cover. Together, they create a soothing oasis of blue. Ideal for a garden spot where you relax and reflect.
These shades work harmoniously, offering tranquility and a calming presence. Whether in a border or a pot, this combination is sure to cool and calm your senses.
5. Sunny Cheer
Nothing says happiness like a garden full of sunflowers, calendulas, and snapdragons. These flowers are the epitome of cheerfulness, standing tall and proud.
Sunflowers, with their large, sunny faces, are attention grabbers. Calendulas add a golden warmth, while snapdragons bring playfulness with their unique shapes. Together, they create a warm, inviting space that’s perfect for social gatherings or quiet contemplation.
Plant them in a sunny area to maximize their cheerful presence and enjoy a garden that’s as welcoming as a sunny morning.
6. Romantic Reds
For those who love a touch of romance, a garden filled with red roses, begonias, and geraniums is perfect. Red roses are the classic symbol of love, while begonias add a texture.
Scarlet geraniums complement with their hue. This combination creates a passionate display, ideal for romantic evenings under the stars.
Plant them near a seating area to fully enjoy their beauty and fragrance. The rich reds evoke feelings of warmth and intimacy, making your garden a perfect romantic escape.
7. Purple Majesty
Purple is the color of royalty, and this combination of pansies, lavender, and petunias brings that regal touch to your garden. Pansies offer beautiful hues, while lavender’s fragrance and elegance are unmatched.
Petunias add depth with their dark tones. Together, they create a majestic display that captivates the senses. Ideal for those who appreciate a garden with character and flair.
Plant them in areas where you can admire both their beauty and fragrance. This combo offers a touch of luxury and sophistication to any garden space.
8. White Elegance
White flowers bring an air of sophistication and tranquility to any garden. Daisies, lilies, and alyssums create a pure, serene display.
Daisies are cheerful and bright, lilies offer elegance with their large blooms, and alyssums add a delicate touch. This trio creates a garden that speaks of purity and peace. Perfect for a contemplative corner or a formal garden setting.
Their timeless beauty and simplicity are sure to impress. Plant them where they can be easily admired for their clean, elegant charm.
9. Golden Glow
A garden that glows with the warmth of the sun is truly inviting. Sunflowers, marigolds, and goldenrod create a golden oasis.
Sunflowers stand tall and proud, marigolds bring warmth and vibrancy, while goldenrod adds a touch of wild beauty. Together, they create a garden that radiates warmth and joy. Ideal for those who love a sunny, cheerful space.
Plant them in a bright spot and watch them illuminate your garden with their golden tones. This combination is a toast to the sun and all its glory.
10. Pink Paradise
Pink peonies, roses, and snapdragons create a garden that’s a true pink paradise. Peonies offer full blooms that are utterly romantic.
Roses add classic beauty and fragrance, while snapdragons bring playful shapes and soft hues. Together, they create a garden that’s both enchanting and inviting. Perfect for those who love a touch of romance and femininity in their garden.
Plant them in a spot where you can fully appreciate their beauty and scent. This combo is a celebration of all things pink and lovely.
11. Fiery Fusion
If you love colors, a fiery combination of red salvias, orange marigolds, and yellow coreopsis is for you. Salvias provide a striking red backdrop, while marigolds bring a burst of orange.
Coreopsis adds a sunny touch with its cheerful yellow blooms. This energetic combination is perfect for those who love a garden that’s full of life and vibrancy.
Plant them in a sunny spot to maximize their presence and enjoy a garden that’s as lively as it is beautiful. This combo is sure to turn heads and lift spirits.
12. Cool Contrasts
For those who appreciate a bit of drama, cool contrasts of purple irises, blue delphiniums, and white lilies offer just that. Irises bring a regal purple, delphiniums add a cool blue, and lilies offer a clean white contrast.
Together, they create a garden that’s both dynamic and elegant. Ideal for those who love a garden with depth and intrigue. Plant them where they can catch the eye and provoke thought.
This combination is perfect for creating a garden that’s both visually striking and beautifully balanced.
13. Sunny Delight
Yellow daisies, golden marigolds, and orange poppies create a garden that’s a true sunny delight. Daisies bring cheerfulness with their sunny faces, marigolds add warmth, and poppies offer a splash of fun with their orange hues.
Together, they create a garden that’s full of joy and sunshine. Perfect for those who love a bright, cheerful space to relax and enjoy.
Plant them in a sunny area to maximize their cheerful presence and enjoy a garden that’s as welcoming as a sunny morning.
14. Mystical Hues
Create a garden with a touch of magic by combining deep purple petunias, dark blue lobelias, and white alyssums. Petunias offer a rich purple hue, lobelias add a cool blue, and alyssums sprinkle a soft white touch.
Together, they create a garden that’s both mystical and enchanting. Perfect for those who love a garden with a bit of mystery and allure.
Plant them in a spot where they can be admired at twilight, when their colors truly come to life. This combination is sure to captivate and inspire.
15. Sweet Symphony
For a garden that’s a sweet symphony of color and scent, try pink sweet peas, white daisies, and purple sage. Sweet peas bring a delightful pink hue and fragrance, daisies add brightness, and sage offers a subtle purple touch.
Together, they create a garden that’s both harmonious and inviting. Perfect for those who love a garden that’s as beautiful as it is fragrant.
Plant them near a walkway or seating area to fully enjoy their delightful presence. This combination is a celebration of all things sweet and lovely.
16. Autumn Embrace
Embrace the beauty of autumn with a garden featuring orange chrysanthemums, red begonias, and yellow pansies. Chrysanthemums bring a warm orange hue, begonias add a red, and pansies offer a touch of sunny yellow.
Together, they create a garden that’s as cozy as it is beautiful. Perfect for those who love the rich colors of fall. Plant them in a spot where they can be admired for their warm, inviting presence.
This combination is a celebration of autumn’s beauty, bringing warmth and comfort to your garden.
17. Candy Crush
Bring a touch of whimsy to your garden with candy-colored blooms like pink cosmos, purple petunias, and yellow marigolds. Cosmos offer a playful pink hue, petunias add a rich purple, and marigolds bring a sunny yellow.
Together, they create a garden that’s both fun and whimsical. Perfect for those who love a garden that’s full of personality and charm.
Plant them in a spot where they can be admired for their playful colors and delightful presence. This combination is a celebration of all things sweet and fun.
18. Earthy Elegance
For a garden that’s both sophisticated and earthy, try terracotta-colored dahlias, green succulents, and white jasmine. Dahlias offer a terracotta hue, succulents add a touch of green, and jasmine brings a delicate white contrast.
Together, they create a garden that’s both refined and elegant. Perfect for those who love a garden with a natural, understated beauty.
Plant them in a spot where they can be admired for their earthy tones and elegant presence. This combination is a celebration of nature’s simple, yet stunning beauty.
19. Lavender Fields
Create a tranquil escape with a garden filled with lavender, pink echinacea, and white daisies. Lavender brings a calming purple hue and soothing fragrance, echinacea adds a soft pink touch, and daisies offer brightness.
Together, they create a garden that’s both serene and calming. Perfect for those who love a garden with a relaxing and peaceful ambiance.
Plant them in a spot where they can be admired for their tranquil colors and soothing presence. This combination is a celebration of serenity and peace.
20. Citrus Burst
For a garden that’s as fresh and invigorating as a bowl of citrus fruits, try orange lilies, yellow daffodils, and lime green zinnias. Lilies offer an orange hue, daffodils add a sunny yellow, and zinnias bring a refreshing lime green.
Together, they create a garden that’s both bright and zesty. Perfect for those who love a garden that’s full of energy and life.
Plant them in a spot where they can be admired for their citrus colors and fresh presence. This combination is a celebration of all things bright and lively.
21. Whimsical Wonderland
Create a whimsical wonderland with playful blooms like pink snapdragons, yellow sunflowers, and blue cornflowers.
Snapdragons offer a playful pink hue, sunflowers add a sunny yellow, and cornflowers bring a cool blue. Together, they create a garden that’s both pretty and joyful. Perfect for those who love a garden with a bit of whimsy and charm.
Plant them in a spot where they can be admired for their playful colors and delightful presence. This combination is a celebration of imagination and joy, bringing a touch of magic to your garden.
22. Bold And Beautiful
For those who love colors, a combination of red geraniums, orange lilies, and yellow dahlias is a must. Geraniums offer a striking red hue, lilies add a burst of orange, and dahlias bring a sunny yellow.
Together, they create a garden that’s both powerful and captivating. Perfect for those who love a garden with strong colors and dynamic presence.
Plant them in a spot where they can be admired for their colors and lively presence. This combination is a celebration of all things beautiful, bringing a touch of drama to your garden.
23. Zen Garden
Create a zen garden with calming blooms like white lilies, light pink cherry blossoms, and green ferns. Lilies offer a pure white hue, cherry blossoms add a soft pink touch, and ferns bring a soothing green.
Together, they create a garden that’s both serene and tranquil. Perfect for those who love a garden with a relaxing and peaceful ambiance.
Plant them in a spot where they can be admired for their calming colors and soothing presence. This combination is a celebration of peace and tranquility, bringing a touch of harmony to your garden.