Spring is in the air, and it’s time to get those gardening gloves on! But what to plant, what to plant? It’s time to look for the plant lists and we’ve got a great one for you – the best, most colorful spring annuals for your garden, patio, balcony, or front yard. From reds and oranges to pinks and purples, blues and multi-colored to duo-tones – annuals have it all and, in so many cases, are easy to care for.
Pick from the most commonly seen to some unusual ones you probably haven't thought of. Mix and match for the perfect color scheme or go for a singular color theme for a statement.
Phlox
Image credits: S. Hermann & F. Richter via Pixabay
This gorgeous little flowing plant isn’t necessarily the easiest to find at, for example, Walmart, but any nursery nearby should have some in stock during the season. The tiny blooms reach up to 1-inch in diameter and come in a range of colors, including pink, salmon, purple, red, white, and variegated. Most reach between 6 and 12 inches in height and bloom all late mid- to late-spring and into summer.
Petunias
Image credits: congerdesign via Pixabay
A popular choice among gardeners of the nation over is the delightful, colorful petunia. The plants are easy to care for, love sunshine, and easy to find. They’ll add pops of color in white, yellow, pink, purple, red, and blue.
Pansies
Image credits: RitaE via Pixabay
Gorgeous pansies come in pretty much every color of the flower out there, plus variegated varieties (some of the most popular). Many varieties are extremely hardy (we’ve seen some bloom through the snow!) and handle both cold and heat well. They typically bloom, though, from late spring into early to mid-summer, depending on temperatures.
Zinnias
Image credits: Ralphs_Fotos via Pixabay
Zinnias are another popular, easy to care for plant that comes in a range of colors. You’ll find them in pink, orange, red, or variegated color combos. They’re easy to plant and care for and always look amazing, especially in a mix with other gorgeous blooms.
Lobelia
Image credits: Beverly Buckley via Pixabay
For an intense blue addition to your garden, consider the lobelia flower. The gorgeous plant grows low, is deer resistant, and makes for an amazing border plant that attracts butterflies. They do great in full sun to part shade, making them an easy plant to find a home for.
Snapdragons
Image credits: Alicja via Pixabay
Snapdragons are another super popular choice for annual plantings, though in zones 7 to 11, they’re perennials. They tolerate cold fairly well (even a light frost on occasion), though they do, of course, love warmer weather. They range in sizes from 6 inches to 3 feet in height, so be sure to choose the right variety for where you intend to plant. They also come in a wide range of colors, including red, yellow, pink, burgundy, bronze, orange, white, and multi-colored.
Calendula
Image credits: Vikramjit Kakati via Pixabay
This vivid orange-yellow bloom seems like it should be an autumn plant, but the flower blooms in early spring. Calendulas are easy to take care of and grow up to 2 feet tall. They like it cool, though, so they’ll stop blooming in warmer weather in warmer climates.
Dianthus
Image credits: Albrecht Fietz via Pixabay
Another vivid flower that tends to range in the whites, pinks, and reds into the purples is the gorgeous dianthus. The blossoms (depending on the variety) look like fringed flowers. The plants grow up to 10 inches tall, and they bloom in both spring and cooler summer months into early autumn when the heat breaks.
Geraniums
Image credits: Annette Meyer via Pixabay
A summertime favorite that does well in spring is the geranium. They’re durable, colorful, and handle cooler temps into the 40s. As an annual, they grow in zones 3 and above. They’re easy to care for and easy to find – practically any store or nursery carries them. They come in a wide range of colors, too, including white, pink, red, orange, and purple, with variations in these colors.
Cyclamen
Image credits: Matthias Böckel via Pixabay
Another popular small plant, though not necessarily as common as some is the stunning cyclamen. The plant does best in shade and cooler temperatures, so they’re particularly great for northern locales. They have gorgeous heart-shaped blossoms that come in red, white, pink, lavender, purple, and rosy shades.
African Daisy
Image credits: Belinda Fewings via Unsplash
The African daisy may have either a single or double bloom that comes in orange, purple, or blue. The plant likes partial shade and does great in cooler temperatures into the 50s and 60s, growing quickly to a height of three feet. They do stop blooming when peak summer heat hits.
Corn Cockle
Image credits: Annette Meyer via Pixabay
The corn cockle is a spring a summer-blooming herbaceous flower. They have bell-shaped blooms that pop on the ends of the stems, peeking up to the sky. They have lots of blooms all season and come in purples and whites and love full sun.
Sweet Peas
Image credits: Alicja via Pixabay
Another super popular and vibrantly colored choice is the sweet pea. These annuals start blooming late in spring, but they’re cold-hardy, and you can often get early blooms in May or even April if the weather is right in your region. They bloom all season until the plants die off – and come in a rainbow of colors.
Poppies
Image credits: NickyPe via Pixabay
Finally, the vibrant, ever-popular poppies make our list. They’re not just for fields – they’re for gardens. Those gorgeous vibrant blooms love the heat, and they’re hardy, so the plants do well from spring through summer, depending on your climate. They love the sun, too, so they do best in full sun.
They come in purple, white, red, pink, yellow, and orange. And, though they’re annuals, they tend to self-seed, so you’ll likely have more in their place next year.
Your Best Colorful Spring Annuals Are Easy to Find
Now, it’s time to go shopping! Find seeds or plants at your local nursery or online and get the trowel out. These beautiful, vibrant flowers will liven up the garden all season long. Choose wisely, and you’ll have blooms from early spring to late summer, even into fall.