The very first thing employees and clients alike notice as they walk up to a building is its exterior. First impressions are important, whether it’s a multi-family complex, commercial office, retail, or industrial facility.
Nothing makes a property more beautiful and inviting during the spring season quite like the installation of colorful flowers, called annuals. However, it is important to realize there are numerous types of annuals that thrive under different conditions.
What is an Annual?
An annual plant is a plant that completes its life cycle, from germination to the production of seeds, within one growing season, and then dies.
Recommendations
Following is a helpful guide to help you understand which the many annual options and where they should be planted.
Full Sun:
- Petunias – Vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in many colors; ideal for containers and borders.
- Marigolds – Bright orange/yellow blooms; easy to grow and naturally repels pests.
- Zinnias – Bold, daisy-like flowers; great for cutting gardens and attracts butterflies.
- Lantana – Clusters of small, multicolored blooms; heat-tolerant and attracts pollinators.
- Salvia – Upright flower spikes in red, purple, or blue; loved by hummingbirds.
- Verbena – Low-growing or trailing; blooms continuously and tolerates heat well.
- Sunflowers – Tall and cheerful; great for backdrops or focal points.
- Portulaca (Moss Rose) – Succulent leaves with bright blooms; thrives in dry, sunny spots.
- Gazania – Drought-tolerant with daisy-like flowers; ideal for hot, sunny areas.
- Cleome (Spider Flower) – Tall, airy plants with spidery blooms; attracts bees and butterflies.
Partial Sun:
- Begonias – Wax or tuberous types; colorful blooms and foliage, great for containers.
- Coleus – Grown for its vibrant foliage; some varieties tolerate sun, others prefer shade.
- Snapdragons – Spiky flowers in a range of colors; bloom best in cooler temps.
- Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) – Fragrant, tubular flowers; attracts hummingbirds.
- Calibrachoa (Million Bells) – Mini petunia-like blooms; perfect for hanging baskets.
- Torenia (Wishbone Flower) – Small, trumpet-shaped flowers; thrives in humid, shady spots.
- Geraniums – Classic garden favorite; prefers morning sun and afternoon shade.
Full Shade:
- Impatiens – Soft, colorful blooms; perfect for deep shade and moist soil.
- Fuchsia – Elegant, drooping flowers; ideal for hanging baskets in shade.
- Lobelia – Delicate blue or purple flowers; great for cool, shady areas.
- Browallia (Bush Violet) – Star-shaped blue or purple blooms; thrives in shade.
- Torenia (Wishbone Flower) – Also suitable for shade; cheerful and compact.
- Coleus – Shade varieties offer dramatic foliage in reds, greens, and purples.
- Begonias – Especially wax and tuberous types; bloom well in low light.
Contact Us
Call (833) 378-4088
Email us cs-sales@continuumservices.com
Complete our service request form
