Which annual flowers make a colorful border for my house?

Question

This year I am going to plant a colorful border using annuals.  What annuals have you used or do you recommend for a border?  The area is full to part sun.  I am not limited to height or width when it comes to planting in this space.  I am looking to plant flowers that make a wow factor from the street!

Swan Road Designs · Answer

Annuals that I like are impatiens and vinca. Both of them come in a zillion of vibrant colors and, once planted, they fill the space with volumes of foliage and fantastic blooms. Their deep true green leaves really showcase the colorful blossoms.

As a matter of fact, just today I planted three of my huge flower boxes with several pink colors of the vinca, some screaming yellow baby marigolds and some peach-colored ruffled petunias. Can't wait for everything to fully mature because if they do like they did last summer, I won't be able to see the flower boxes for all the voluminous plants and blooms.

Quince_Cottage · Answer

Swan Road Designs ideas were great! I love the bright colors of zinnias and dahlias, which are fairly tall - perhaps not what you're looking for (unless you want to plant between your shrubs). Although they do now have a dwarf zinnia available. If you're looking for something low for the front, then lantana and portulaca, which have a low, spreading habit might be better. They are very drought-resistant so you don't have to water them very often. There are also varieties of coleus that tolerate sun now and the foliage is quite colorful too. Another one to check out is dianthus.

Ali Kay · Answer

Butterfly bushes would look great...but they do tend to spread so you have to keep them under control

Lindalovie55 · Answer

red double begonias,orange french marigolds.white snow -in - summer,alternate colours.and grow sweet peas mixed colours variety up wall with canes in front of windows

Janet Pizaro · Answer

million bells and lantanas would make a showy boarder as they are available in numerous colors.

Cathy · Answer

OH, my, not impatiens unless you are talking the New Guinea ones as they do not like sun. There are lots of choices---Vinca is my favorite and comes in lots of color--the white ones do not grow as big as the color ones do--and they are drought tolerant. Zinnias are another good choice---again drought tolerant and there are tall and short ones so you could vary your height. Angelonia would be pretty in the background with short plants up front. Another good choice would be salvia or wax begonias.

Amber · Answer

So many colorful annuals. Go to your local hardware/plant store and talk to them. They are quite helpful and u can see everything available for your area and select plants for the amt of sun/shade u have

Cheryl Clifton · Answer

Wave petunias.

Keith Widgington · Answer

With the location you have and your design your choices are limitless.  Some of my favourites are orange begonias or New Guinea impatience,  as they reall,add a bright pop of color. If you want to add some height in the back and don't mind getting some annopuals try echinacea so they add contrast and beauty not to mention they attract bees that help pollinate plants.  There are some beautiful non flowering leafy plants ( can't remember their names) that resemble a hosts but there leaves are multiple colours  that add interest . Just one or two at different parts of the garden is all that's needed.  I love using the terracotta coloured mulch as it makes all the colours  in the plants stand out . Good luck with your gardening.

Becky Jean Purcell · Answer

I love marigolds. They have an added benefit of repelling some bugs, too! And they come in a lot of different shades. Sometimes I use the short marigolds in front and the taller zinnias behind. Even I can't kill 'em! (I have a horrid black thumb.)

Karen W · Answer

I'd suggest Vinca (which will come back the next year even though it's 'typically' an annual) maybe do two Dahlias (they mound and make a huge flower display) and mix in some sweet potato vine (do both light and dark colors).

MN Mom · Answer

Pentas is a beautiful annual that blooms all season and grows well in sun or part shade, it is also heat and drought tolerant . It's available in a variety of colors, has either variegated or solid color foliage and is very easy to maintain. It is known to attract both hummingbirds and butterflies

Kirsten McCann · Answer

Uproar Rose Zinnas are outstanding.

Beth Paulson · Answer

I plant flowers in a welcome garden in front of my home around a lantern post. Last year I found miniature Dahlias, planted 12-3' multi colored plants in the corner garden...many comments from neighbors!  Hearty, vibrant, sunloving!

Bluemyrtle45 · Answer

Begonias. My preference is the stunningly large blooms of the Tuber begonia but the Rieger variety have their own appeal. Both need lots of water. The Reiger do better in your light conditions but the Tuber would like it under a shrub and will bring a dark space to light. Google search each name and select images for a feast to the eyes.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Begonias do not require that much water.

Bluemyrtle45 · Answer

Suggest that if you like the look of Begonias, go to your garden centre and ask for planting and care instructions. You will then get information for your growing area.

Kristi H. · Answer

Impatiens...they come in a whole range of colors or pick one color for impact!

Patty · Answer

I think inpatients would be nice. They can take part sun and come in many colors

Bobbie · Answer

I absolutely love double headed petunias. So much color and they will bloom into the fall. I plant these every year!!

Tina Pancoast Hagenbuch · Answer

Petunias are great, They are very colorful and more heat tolerant more so then impatiens which wilt in full sun. On the downside of petunias during hot muggy periods beware of white flies. Personally, I love zinnias. A wonderful variety of shapes sizes and textures. Impact with a big punch, You can't go wrong with zinnias and as an added bonus they make wonderful bouquets . I suggest 'Cut and Come Again' Enjoy.

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

I would suggest that you also consider using a perennial herb, catmint. They grow in a rounded form, the leaves are a blue/gray/green and the flowers are lavender in color. They make a great boarder plant. This plant blooms long after the other flowers in your garden have given out. And they come back every year.

MN Mom · Answer

Wow the topic of begonias is still going strong! Here you go...

Wax begonias (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) are the best begonias for sun, heat and drought tolerance. Varieties with bronze-colored foliage are the best for full-sun conditions. The cultivars 'Victory' and 'Cocktail' are two examples of bronze-colored wax begonias. Modern cultivars with green leaves can also grow in sun so long as they receive afternoon shade. Wax begonias are compact, busy plants that reliably flower throughout the entire summer.

Sun-Tolerant Begonias
Several of the begonia varieties with wing-shaped leaves are also very sun-tolerant. 'Dragon Wing Red' begonia (Begonia 'Bepared') grows best in full sun to part shade, and prefers some afternoon shade in warm climates. Begonias in the 'Big Series' (Begonia x benariensis Big Series) are slightly less sun tolerant, preferring dappled sunlight throughout the day, though they will grow in full sun. Both these varieties are noteworthy for their tolerance to hot, humid summers.

Full Sun Tips
In gardening, the term 'full sun' refers to locations where plants receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. Begonias do best when they get this sunlight in the morning and late afternoon, with shelter from the most intense mid-day sunlight. The bronze-leaved wax begonias are the begonia varieties most likely to thrive in hot sunlight without afternoon shade.

Valerie Van Bergeijk · Answer

I like to use hanging baskets full of annuals instead of planting in the ground. Multiple-hanger shepherd hooks allow you to move plants around if they are getting too much or too little sun. One of my favorites is mandevilla. I also make a container garden with assorted bright annuals- marigolds, petunias, geraniums, vinca, salvia, gerberra daisies- whatever looks good at the nursery. I put the containers on a bench in my backyard. Don't forget perennials, you will save money in the long run if you plant a few each year and then fill in with annuals.

Tina Pancoast Hagenbuch · Answer

White Oak Studio Designs. That looks more like Russian Sage then Cat Mint. Both are perennials. I like both of these plants. I have had sage for some time but I planted the Cat Mint last year clearing out my garden this spring I found 3 of them. Happy Gardening.

Sue Peet · Answer

Geranium, Zinnias, Coleus, Marigolds, are a few that work really well as a border.

Diane Claeys Biedenweg · Answer

Whatever you choose the visual from the street will be much stronger if you mass the color. In other words don't use too many colors and group like colors together.

Ann|The Apple Street Cottage · Answer

I love wave petunias.

Ann|The Apple Street Cottage · Answer

If it's full sun, wave petunias.

Janice · Answer

I've found petunias to be a good choice for full sun and colorful blooms. The past couple of years of planted vincas as they also very colorful but not as large of blooms. They love can take lots of sun and can withstand the heat reflecting from your brick. Keep the soil loosened a bit and fertilize once a month.

Which annual flowers make a colorful border for my house?

Suggested Project Book

Your Quick Cleaning Plan to Get a Sparkling Home by the Weekend

Other

More

Which annual flowers make a colorful border for my house?

Suggested Project Book