Summer's Best Annual Plants for Spectacular Container Gardens: My Top 4 Picks to Boost Your Curb Appeal
In the world of container gardening, finding plants that are easy to care for, bloom all summer, and fill in quickly can be a game-changer. Content Editor Laura Walters, who joined the platform in 2021 and hails from Southwest Ohio, has a knack for recommending such plants.
Among her favourites are Impatiens, classic container annuals renowned for their ability to bloom all summer and swiftly fill pots and window boxes, making them a reliable choice for stunning summer containers.
Zinnias and Marigolds are also on her list. These vibrant flowers, known for their long bloom period throughout summer, add a splash of colour to annual containers. Geraniums, tall and elegant sun-loving annuals, are another popular choice, although deadheading is required to keep them blooming all summer.
For those seeking a broader range of plants, Laura's gardening articles often focus on straightforward, manageable plants suitable for container gardening with impressive bloom sustainability.
Here's a summary of her best low-maintenance annuals for summer containers:
| Plant | Key Benefit | Bloom Duration | Maintenance Level | |-------------|------------------------------|---------------------|---------------------| | Impatiens | Easy to grow, fast filling | All summer | Low | | Zinnias | Vibrant color, drought-tolerant| All summer | Low to moderate | | Marigolds | Pest-repellent, colorful | All summer | Low | | Geraniums | Tall and elegant | All summer (with deadheading) | Moderate |
Coleus, mainly grown for their foliage and available in various colours, including multicolor varieties, are another must-have for Laura. These easy-care plants can reseed themselves, making them a great addition to any container garden.
For those interested in growing Dragon Wing Begonias, the 'Dragon Wing' cultivar from Burpee is a popular option. These tropical flowers, also known as Angel Wing Begonias, can be difficult to find but are easy to grow from seeds. The 'Maverick Mix' of Geranium seeds offers a combination of colours, providing a vibrant array of choices.
Laura's love for low-maintenance plants extends to foliage plants as well. Coleus, for instance, can be found at Lowe's, and double bloom varieties and multicolour Impatiens are recommended for added visual interest. All-purpose flower fertilizer can be given to Impatiens over the summer to encourage blooming.
With these choices, you can ensure continuous colour with minimal effort in container settings. So, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, Laura's recommendations offer a colourful and low-maintenance solution for your summer container garden.
Home-and-garden enthusiasts seeking a vibrant and low-maintenance lifestyle in their summer container garden should consider adding Impatiens, Zinnias, Marigolds, and Coleus to their plant choices. These easy-to-grow, fast-filling, and colorful plants, like Impatiens and Coleus, can be found at Lowe's and are known for their ability to bloom all summer, making them ideal for filling pots and window boxes.
