Add Color to Your Outdoor Space
Planting annual flowers in pots is a great way to add color and flexibility to your outdoor space. The best annuals for containers over spring and summer are those that thrive in warm weather, bloom profusely, and adapt well to confined root spaces. You can combine varieties of flowers and green foliage to create a rich pop of lively color and add visual interest to any outdoor space.
Here are Shorb’s top choices:
Sun-Loving Potted Annuals
Perfect for full-sun locations (6+ hours/day):
- Petunias – Long-blooming, colorful, and easy. Great for trailing over edges.
- Calibrachoa (Million Bells) – Mini-petunia-like blooms that cascade beautifully.
- Geraniums – Upright and showy; drought-tolerant once established.
- Zinnias – Heat-tolerant and low maintenance with a big color range.
- Lantana – Butterfly magnet with trailing varieties for hanging pots.
- Verbena – Great for both trailing and upright habits, drought tolerant.
Partial Sun / Partial Shade Potted Annuals
Ideal for morning sun and afternoon shade:
- Impatiens (New Guinea or traditional) – Vibrant and lush, great in shade or partial sun.
- Begonias – Especially wax or dragon-wing types; bloom nonstop and handle part shade.
- Lobelia – Cool-weather lover, best in spring or early summer; trails nicely.
- Torenia (Wishbone Flower) – A lesser-known but stunning shade annual.
Filler & Foliage Companions
These complement blooms or fill space in mixed containers:
- Sweet Alyssum – Fragrant and trailing, great for edges.
- Dusty Miller – Silvery foliage for contrast.
- Coleus – Gorgeous, multicolored leaves, great for shade or sun (varies by type).
- Sweet Potato Vine – Fast-growing and dramatic trailing foliage.
Tips for Success
- Use good potting mix (not garden soil) for drainage and aeration.
- Fertilize regularly with a balanced or bloom-boosting fertilizer.
- Water consistently, especially in hot weather – pots dry out quickly.
Shorb can help!
Need some help or suggestions for specific color combinations, container sizes, and designs? Or would you like Shorb to handle full-service planting, installation, and maintenance? Contact us today to get started!
