Some annuals absolutely thrive in full sun and won’t stop blooming until the season wraps up. I’ve gathered 20 of the best sun-lovers that know how to put on a show from early summer to the very end.
These flowers are all about color, energy, and non-stop blooms. I’ve also added a few simple tips to keep them looking their best, even during those scorching days.
If you love a garden that never takes a break, these are the plants for you!
1. Marigolds
These golden beauties are practically bulletproof in hot, sunny locations. Their pungent scent naturally repels many garden pests, making them perfect companions for vegetable gardens.
Keep marigolds blooming by deadheading spent flowers regularly. They appreciate consistent moisture but hate wet feet, so allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. A light feeding once monthly will keep them producing their cheerful orange, yellow, and red blooms until frost.
2. Zinnias
Few flowers deliver such bang for your buck as these rainbow-colored beauties. Available in every color except blue, zinnias attract butterflies and hummingbirds while standing up to summer’s worst heat waves.
For continuous blooming, cut flowers frequently for bouquets. This stimulates more branching and additional flower buds. Water at the base to prevent powdery mildew on foliage. Zinnias need little fertilizer – too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
3. Petunias
Wave varieties have revolutionized these garden favorites by eliminating the need for deadheading. Their cascading habit makes them perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and border edges where they can spill over beautifully.
Keep petunias looking their best by providing at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. A weekly feeding with bloom-boosting fertilizer (higher phosphorus) maintains flower production. If plants become leggy by midsummer, trim them back by one-third to rejuvenate and encourage fresh flowering.
4. Cosmos
Tall and airy with daisy-like blooms, cosmos add a whimsical, meadow-like feel to any garden. They’re remarkably drought-tolerant once established, making them perfect for gardeners who forget to water regularly.
The secret to cosmos’ non-stop blooming is benign neglect. Avoid rich soil or excessive fertilizer, which produces leggy plants with fewer flowers. Deadhead regularly to encourage new blooms. For bushier plants with more flowers, pinch back young seedlings when they reach 10-12 inches tall.
5. Sunflowers
Modern varieties come in sizes from dwarf 12-inch plants to towering 12-footers. Beyond the classic yellow, you’ll find burgundy, bronze, and even multi-colored blooms that make striking garden statements.
For continuous sunflower blooms, plant new seeds every two weeks through early summer. Choose branching varieties that produce multiple flowers per plant. Provide support for taller varieties, and water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots. Birds love the seeds, so leave some flower heads intact for fall wildlife feeding.
6. Verbena
Heat-loving and drought-resistant, verbena produces clusters of small blooms in vibrant purples, pinks, reds, and whites. Its spreading habit makes it perfect for filling gaps between other plants or cascading over container edges.
Verbena performs best with a harsh pruning mid-season. Cut back by one-third in July to refresh plants and stimulate another heavy bloom cycle. Plant in well-draining soil to prevent root rot. A light application of slow-release fertilizer at planting time is usually sufficient for the entire season.
7. Lantana
Butterfly magnet lantana thrives in scorching heat that would wilt other flowers. The multi-colored flower clusters change hues as they age, creating a kaleidoscope effect in your garden beds or containers.
Treat lantana like the semi-woody shrub it is by pruning lightly throughout the season to maintain shape. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer which produces lush foliage at the expense of blooms. Water deeply when soil is dry to the touch. In extremely hot climates, afternoon shade may enhance flowering.
8. Calibrachoa
Often called Million Bells, these petunia cousins produce hundreds of small, trumpet-shaped flowers on trailing stems. Their compact habit makes them ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes where they create cascades of color.
Unlike petunias, calibrachoa blooms don’t get sticky after rain, eliminating the need for deadheading. They do need regular feeding – weekly with liquid fertilizer – to maintain their prolific blooming. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. If plants become stringy by midsummer, trim back by a few inches to refresh.
9. Vinca
When summer heat turns brutal, vinca (periwinkle) keeps blooming while other flowers fade. Their glossy, dark green leaves provide a beautiful backdrop for the pinwheel-shaped blooms in pink, purple, and white.
The key to vinca success is patience – don’t plant until soil has thoroughly warmed in late spring. They hate wet feet, so allow soil to dry between waterings. No deadheading is needed as spent blooms drop cleanly. Apply a slow-release fertilizer at planting time for season-long color.
10. Angelonia
Sometimes called summer snapdragon, angelonia produces spikes of delicate flowers in purple, pink, and white. Their upright growth habit adds vertical interest to beds and containers during the hottest months.
Unlike many summer bloomers, angelonia maintains its neat, compact form without becoming leggy. It’s remarkably low-maintenance – no deadheading required! Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. For best performance, apply a bloom-boosting fertilizer monthly and provide at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
11. Celosia
Flame-like plumes or brain-like crests make celosia one of the most distinctive summer bloomers. Available in fiery reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks, they maintain their color even when dried for arrangements.
For maximum impact, plant celosia in groups rather than as single specimens. They prefer consistent moisture but can tolerate short dry spells once established. No deadheading is needed as the colorful bracts hold their appearance for weeks. A mid-season application of balanced fertilizer keeps plants producing new flower heads.
12. Portulaca
Also known as moss rose, this low-growing succulent sports tissue-paper blooms in electric colors that open in sunshine and close at night. Its drought tolerance makes it perfect for hot, dry spots where other flowers struggle.
The fleshy leaves store water, allowing portulaca to thrive in poor soil and intense heat. Plant in full sun – flowers won’t open in shade. No deadheading needed as new blooms continually replace spent ones. Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot and reduce flowering.
13. Geraniums
Annual geraniums (properly called pelargoniums) offer reliable color all summer with minimal fuss. Beyond the familiar red varieties, you’ll find stunning pinks, corals, purples, and bicolors to brighten any sunny spot.
Remove spent flower heads by snapping the stem just below the faded bloom to encourage more flowers. Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings. Fertilize every two weeks with a bloom-boosting formula. If plants become leggy, pinch back stems to create bushier growth and more flowering points.
14. Salvia
Annual salvia varieties produce spikes of intensely colored tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies all summer. Their upright growth habit makes them perfect for the middle of flower beds or as container centerpieces.
Cut back spent flower spikes to the first set of leaves to promote continuous blooming. Most salvias are drought-tolerant once established but flower more profusely with regular watering. Apply a slow-release fertilizer at planting time, then supplement with liquid feed monthly for maximum flower production.
15. Impatiens SunPatiens
Unlike traditional impatiens that wilt in direct sun, SunPatiens thrive in full sunshine while delivering non-stop blooms. Their larger flowers and more robust growth make them standout performers in beds and containers alike.
Despite their sun tolerance, SunPatiens need consistent moisture to perform their best. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Feed regularly with balanced fertilizer to fuel continuous flowering. No deadheading is required as spent blooms drop cleanly without affecting the plant’s appearance.
16. Pentas
Star-shaped flowers in clusters make pentas a butterfly and hummingbird favorite. Their non-stop blooming in hot weather has earned them the nickname ‘Egyptian Star Cluster’ in some regions.
For maximum flowering, plant pentas where they’ll receive morning sun and light afternoon shade in the hottest climates. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Fertilize monthly with a bloom-boosting formula. No deadheading is necessary, though trimming back leggy branches encourages bushier growth with more flower clusters.
17. Gomphrena
Globe amaranth, as it’s commonly known, produces clover-like blooms in vibrant purples, pinks, and whites. The papery flowers maintain their color even when dried, making them perfect for both fresh and dried arrangements.
Once established, gomphrena is remarkably drought-tolerant. The plants develop a deep taproot that helps them withstand hot, dry conditions. No deadheading is required – the colorful bracts hold their appearance for weeks. Plant in well-draining soil and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
18. Sweet Alyssum
Tiny flowers pack a powerful fragrance in this low-growing annual that forms a carpet of white, purple, or pink blooms. Heat-tolerant varieties keep flowering through summer, attracting beneficial insects to your garden.
For continuous blooming in hot climates, give alyssum afternoon shade and trim plants back by half when flowering slows. This rejuvenation pruning stimulates fresh growth and new flowers within weeks. Water regularly but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Apply a light feeding after pruning to fuel the next flush of blooms.
19. Gazania
Daisy-like flowers in bold colors open in sunshine and close at night or on cloudy days. Their silver-gray foliage adds textural interest even when blooms are closed, making them perfect for hot, dry garden spots.
Plant gazanias in poor to average soil – rich soil produces more leaves than flowers. They need excellent drainage, so amend heavy soils with sand or grow in raised beds. No deadheading is required as new blooms continually replace spent ones. Water only when soil is completely dry for maximum flowering.
20. Torenia
Wishbone flower, as it’s commonly known, produces snapdragon-like blooms with spotted throats. Unlike many summer annuals, torenia tolerates partial shade while still flowering prolifically in humid conditions where other plants struggle.
For the best show, plant torenia where it receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer. No deadheading is necessary as plants self-clean, dropping spent blooms and continuing to produce new ones throughout summer.