Frost-hardy annual plants are some of the easiest flowers to plant during winter. They require little maintenance once planted and came back each year. These plants are very resilient and will survive through even the harshest winters.
There are hundreds of varieties of frost-hardy annuals to choose from. You can plant them in your garden all at once or plant a few seeds every week for several months. These plants will return each year with bright blooms that will provide color and beauty throughout the season. In this article, we are wanna explore the best frost-hardy annuals.
Table of Contents
Here are Some Best Frost Hardy Annuals
1. Wallflower
The wallflower plant blooms in spring and summer and is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors. This easy-to-grow perennial grows best in well-drained soil that receives some sunlight. Its flowers are very similar to those of the lily family, and they bloom in shades of yellow, white, red, pink, purple, orange, and brown.
They come in different sizes and shapes, including daisylike clusters, single petals, and double blossoms. The wallflower has long stems up to 20 inches tall with small leaves on its stem. It also produces a rhizome (a rootstock) to help increase its growth rate.
2. Geranium
Geraniums are an ideal choice for anyone who wants to add some color to their home landscape. The geranium comes in many colors and forms, such as rosa rugosa, pinks, lavender, and creams. They have an upright habit, reaching heights between 12 and 18 inches. The leaves are light green, hairy, and oval-shaped.
The flowers are produced on racemes, which are flower clusters that look like upside-down cones. The geranium is native to Europe, but it has been cultivated worldwide since ancient times. Modern cultivation began around 500 BC in China.
3. Calendula
Calendulas are commonly known as pot marigolds because they do not need much space. They are also called pot marigolds, pot marigolds, and calendula. The calendula plant is usually grown as an annual herbaceous flowering plant.
The name “calendula” is derived from the Latin word “calends” which means “first day.” Calendulas are sometimes referred to as pot marigolds, although they are unrelated to true marigolds. Calendulas produce large, showy flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Their blooms last for about two weeks.
4. Cosmos
Cosmos are popularly known by their common names of zinnias, cosmos, starflowers, and sunflowers. The cosmos is a member of the composite family. The cosmos is a biennial plant that matures after 2 years. The cosmos has a large number of cultivars; some of them include: ‘Alba’, ‘Aurora’, ‘Bouquet de Nuit’, ‘Cosmos’, ‘Dorothy Perkins’, ‘Grandiflora’, ‘Helen Keller’, ‘Mermaid’, ‘Oriental Star’, ‘Rosea’, and ‘Sunset’. Most cosmos are sold as seedlings, but you might find some available in pre-grown pots.
5. Heliotrope
Heliotropes are a type of evergreen plant that has very soft foliage and beautiful, fragrant blooms. Some heliotropes have blue, pink, white, or violet flowers. Others have dark green foliage and reddish-purple blooms. When growing heliotropes, consider how much water you want to give them during the growing season. If you give too much water, then the plants may get roots rot.
6. Dianthus
This hardy perennial flower grows up to six inches tall and produces bright flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. It doesn’t bloom during the summer months due to high temperatures. However, when the temperature drops in autumn, the plant will start producing new blossoms.
Cut the plant down to about one inch above ground level once the leaves turn brown. You can keep the plants alive over winter by cutting them back every few weeks. In spring, you can cut the stems back to just three buds.
7. Snapdragon
There are many different kinds of snapdragons. They come in several sizes and colors. This plant is one of the most popular types of flowering plants because it blooms throughout the winter season. In fact, it is considered a hardy perennial.
A snapdragon grows up to 2 feet tall and produces large clusters of bright yellow flowers. You can use it as a cut flower or as part of a bouquet. Snapdragons like full sunlight and average soil conditions. Give your plant plenty of room so that it gets enough light. Water your snapdragons regularly throughout the year.
8. Cyclamen
Cyclamen are native to southern Europe and Asia, and they’re some of the easiest houseplants you could buy. Their leaves are shaped like cups, and each plant produces one bloom per season. This perennial grows best in full sun, but it doesn’t require much water either. You can find cyclamens in many colors, including red, white, light blue, yellow, orange, and even pink.
9. Osteospermum
Osteospermum is mostly known as the African Daisy. This plant produces traditional daisy blooms but comes in a variety of colors. They produce traditional daisies but come in various colors, including blue, purple, white, and yellow.
Approximately 3 feet tall, these flowers bloom in partial shade. When temperatures are around 50°F to 60°F, they’ll produce blooming. However, they won’t blossom in the summer when temperatures reach 90°F.
10. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs with stiff, hairy branches that are easily identifiable. There are hundreds of varieties of hydrangeas, and they all come in a range of colors. Many people enjoy growing hydrangeas in their gardens because they provide interest throughout the entire spring and summer seasons. They also make attractive cut flowers. Hydrangeas, however, do not tolerate cold weather well. So if you live somewhere cold, you should choose another kind of flower instead.
11. Viola
Viola is a versatile flower. Depending on the conditions, they may be perennials or annuals. There are over 400 varieties to choose from. Violas have something for everyone, whether you want bright colors or darker ones. They’re also heavy self-sowers, so they might keep coming back yearly. Cold weather doesn’t seem to bother them much, either.
If you live somewhere where it gets cold, viola could be a good option for you. You’ll still enjoy blooms throughout the winter months. They’re easy to care for, too, and they don’t need specific conditions to survive.
12. Fuchsia
Fuchsias are flowering plants that originate from South America. The name fuchsia means “foolish” in German. People often confuse these plants with rhododendrons, but they’re more closely related to azaleas.
Fuchsias come in single and double blossoms, available in a wide array of colors, such as pink, red, white, yellow, and coral. A lot of people enjoy using fuchsias as centerpieces and for other ornamental purposes. If you’d like to add some color to your home this fall, consider adding some fuchsias to your garden.
13. Crocosmia
Crocosmia has been used as a decorative plant since ancient times. It’s an ornamental flower that originated in central Asia. It does well in most soil types except acidic soils. Crocosmia prefers slightly alkaline soil. The plant is low maintenance and requires very little watering. It tolerates drought quite well. Crocosmias love heat, so make sure you give them plenty of sunlight.
How to Grow Hardy Annuals?
- The majority of hardy annual plants are pretty easy to grow, which makes them ideal for beginners.
- Germination of seeds is a challenge, however. You can grow the plants in the garden after this stage once they are hardy enough.
- It is important to learn about the requirements of each plant type to ensure proper seed germination.
- Hardy annual plants require stratification. Germination will occur because this process breaks down the seed coats.
- Directly sown seeds in the fall undergo natural stratification. Depending on the flower grown, seeds sown indoors may require artificial stratification.
- If you have been instructed to chill your seeds, make sure you follow the instructions on the seed packet.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. What is the lowest temperature annuals can tolerate?
Several annuals are capable of surviving and even thriving in repeated frosts, even when they tolerate temperatures as low as the mid-20s. A warm-weather annual is different than a cool-weather annual, which prefers cool weather.
2. Can I use my outdoor container for annual flowers?
Yes. But if your container is plastic, you should put it inside until the frost comes out.
3. Do I water every day?
No. Watering daily can cause problems, including root rot. Instead, water weekly and let the roots dry between irrigations.
4. Should I fertilize my indoor houseplant?
You probably shouldn’t fertilize your houseplants at all. However, fertilizer may help promote healthy growth and prevent disease or pests.
5. How long do I keep my cut flowers?
Cut flowers last longer when stored in a refrigerator, but they won’t last as long when kept outside. Store cut flowers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
There are hundreds of annuals waiting for you to choose from. These plants range in size and appearance and offer unique and colorful options for any season. As mentioned above, there are several factors involved in growing hardy annuals. Some of these include climate, light, and soil. You must also know several things about planting, cultivation, and care before beginning.
