Full Sun Annuals for the Mid South

Full sun annuals can be started from seed or by 4 inch pots from a local nursery. The following is list of annuals that will do well even if planted late here in the Mid South. The plants followed by an asterisk may also be grown form seed sown directly in the garden or started inside a few weeks before the first frost. This list is by no means complete. Check with your own garden center, or online catalogs for new varieties. You will see some plants that are not officially annuals such as caladiums which are bulbs, but they are used as annuals here in the south.

• Medallion plant (Melampodium spp.)
• Coleus (Coleus xhybridus)
• Madagoscar periwinkle (Castharanthus rosea)
• Cleome (Cleome Haslerana)*
• Mexican sunflower (Tithomia rotundifolia)*
• Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)*
• Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
• Moonflower (Ipomea alba)*
• Caladium (Caladium zhortulanum)
• Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa)*
• Impatiens (Impatiens Wallerana)
• 'Encore' Begonia
• 'New Look' Celosia
• Joseph's Coat (Amaranthus tricolor)
• Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus)
• Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
• Hyacinth bean (Dolichos Lablab)*
• Sunflower (Helianthus annus)*
• Morning-glory (Ipmoea purpurea)*
• Summer snapdragon or Angel Flower (Angelonia angustifolia)
• Petunias. Try the new hybrid from Proven Winners called Supertunia 'Bermuda Beach'
• Lantana (Lantana camara) Try 'Luscious Lemoande' from Proven Winners. Voted one of the top 20 new annuals (& warm-climate perennials) of 2008.
• Cuphea (Cuphea llavea) Another favorite from Proven Winners called 'Totally Tempted' is one of our favorites.

Planting Annuals Tips