Annual flowers are the unsung heroes of the garden, offering a burst of color that lasts all summer long. While perennials may have their brief moments of glory, annuals keep the garden vibrant for months. Whether you're filling in gaps left by spring-flowering bulbs or looking to add color to pots and hanging baskets, these four annuals are sure to impress. Let’s dive into our favorites that not only brighten up any space but also require minimal maintenance.

1. Superbena Royale Verbena

(Verbena ×hybrida [Superbena Royale Series] cultivars)

The Superbena Royale Series is a game-changer for gardeners. These vibrant, multicolored flowers boast a mounding and trailing habit, making them perfect for container plantings and massing in flowerbeds. Blooming continuously from early summer to autumn, these verbenas are a butterfly magnet and perform best in full sun.

What sets the Superbena Royale cultivars apart is their resistance to powdery mildew and deer, common issues with older varieties. To encourage better branching, give the plants a light trim at planting time, cutting back the growing tips by one to two centimeters.

These verbenas grow about 20 centimeters tall by 40 centimeters wide and can trail up to 60 centimeters over container edges. Heat- and drought-tolerant, they thrive in average garden loam and don't require deadheading. For best results, feed container plants with an all-purpose fertilizer at half strength every three weeks.

Favorite Cultivars: Deep merlot Royale Red ('AKIV5-4'), violet Chambray ('AKIV571-1'), rich purple Plum Wine ('RIKAV14704'), gleaming Whitecap ('RIKAV17805'), orange-apricot Peachy Keen ('RIKAV36504'), and burgundy-red Romance ('RIKAV38602').

2. Browallia

(Browallia speciosa cultivars)

Once introduced as a flowering houseplant, Browallia has since become a favorite in partly shaded flowerbeds and containers across North America. This annual features lovely blue or white blooms that persist from late spring to early autumn. To encourage a bushy habit, pinch out the growing tips and avoid rich, highly fertile soils.

Browallias typically grow about 30 centimeters tall and wide. Indoors, they thrive in a south- or west-facing window. The original cultivar, 'Blue Bells,' bears violet flowers with a white eye, while newer cultivars like pale blue 'Heavenly Bells' and pure white 'Silver Bells' add variety. Compact blue-flowered Endless Illumination ('UNHBR12') and white Endless Flirtation ('UNHBR18') are also popular choices.

3. Superbells Star Calibrachoa

(Calibrachoa [Superbells Star Series] cultivars)

The Superbells Star Series is known for its disease resistance and heat tolerance, making it a favorite among gardeners. These calibrachoas reward with nonstop clusters of small, multicolored petunia-like flowers from early summer until frost. Perfect for containers and hanging baskets, these plants don’t require deadheading and attract hummingbirds.

Superbells Star Series calibrachoas grow about 25 centimeters tall and wide, trailing up to 50 centimeters over basket edges. Each cultivar in this series features star-shaped yellow centers, adding a unique flair to any garden.

Noteworthy Cultivars: Rose-pink Hollywood Star ('BBCAL26702'), blush-pink Morning Star ('BBCAL27801'), purple Evening Star ('BBCAL87705'), hot-pink Rising Star ('KLECA16006'), and red Cherry Star ('USCAL91001').

4. Bright Lights Osteospermum

(Osteospermum [Bright Lights Series] cultivars)

Bright Lights osteospermums are known for their large daisy-like blooms, which come in a variety of colors, often with contrasting centers. These new cultivars are both cold- and heat-tolerant and bloom from late spring until frost without deadheading. They thrive in full sun and prefer well-drained soil.

Bright Lights osteospermums grow to about 25 centimeters tall and wide, making them ideal for garden beds or containers. They can also be overwintered indoors on a sunny windowsill.

Standout Varieties: Bright Lights Yellow ('INOSTYELLOW'), featuring yellow petals with gold-and-black centers, and Double Moonglow, which produces semi-double flowers with cream-colored outer petals and oversized golden central florets that prevent the flowers from closing at night.

Annual flowers are a fantastic way to keep your garden looking vibrant throughout the growing season. Whether you prefer the mounding habit of Superbena Royale verbena, the delicate blooms of Browallia, the star-shaped centers of Superbells calibrachoa, or the daisy-like appeal of Bright Lights osteospermum, these plants offer something for every gardener. With minimal maintenance, you can enjoy a garden bursting with color from spring to fall.