Annuals
Annuals are an excellent way to ensure colour in your yard all summer long.

Any plant that grows, flowers, produces seeds and dies over the course of one year is considered an annual. Annuals are an excellent way to ensure colour in your yard all summer long. Use in borders, in beds or to fill open spaces between immature shrubs and trees. They over flow hanging baskets and window boxes, as well as creep up walls or trellises. The variety of uses and colour combinations is endless.
You can purchase annuals in both seed and seedling form. Sow seeds either indoors or outdoors, depending on the growth requirements of the individual plants. Annual seeds that require a longer period of growth should be started indoors. These plants are identified in the chart portion of the Annual section. With Calgary's short growing season, it's usually best to plant annuals in seedling form after the last chance of frost.
Note: When choosing a spot to plant, consider the annual's growth habit. Position tall plants at the back of beds where they will not block the view of smaller plants.
Do you need some planting tips for your annuals? Click "Learn More" to head to our Annuals planting tips page:


Annuals Growing Guide
Image | Plant Name | Botanical Name | Height / Spread | Colour | Sun / Shade | Planting Date | Description |
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AFRICAN DAISY | Arctotis | 12/18 in. 30/45 cm | various | sun | Some hairy, smooth, or trailing leaves | |
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AGERATUM | Ageratum houstonianum | 6/10 in. 15/25 cm | mauve, blue, red, white | sun to part shade | Feb. 20-28/May 1-15 | Compact plant with wispy flower clusters, remove spent flowers |
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ALYSSUM, SWEET | Lobularia maritima | 8/10 in. 20/25 cm | purple, white, lavender, rose | sun to part shade | Mar. 15-30/May 1-10 | Compact plant with dainty flowers; good edging plant, very fragrant; blooms from spring to frost |
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AMARANTHUS | Amaranthus caudatus | 24/18 in. 60/45 cm | red | sun | Feb. 20-28/n/a | Drooping red tassel flowers; dramatic accent plant |
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ASTER, CHINA | Callistephus chinensis | 6-24/8 in. 15-60/20 cm | white, blue, red, purple, pink | sun | Mar. 15-30/May 1-10 | Blooms late in the summer with daisy and pompom flower forms, good cutting flower |
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BABY'S BREATH | Gysophila elegans | 8-24/12 in. 20-60/30 cm | white, pink | sun | Mar. 15-30/May 1-10 | Plentiful clusters of delicate flowers, good for drying |
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BACHELOR'S BUTTON | Centaurea cyanus | 18/10 in. 45/25 cm | blue, pink | sun | Feb. 15-30/Apr. 15-30 | Truly blue flowers that readily re-seed, frost tolerant |
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BACOPA | Satura cordata | 3-24 in. 7.5-61 cm | blue, white, pink | part shade | Low spreading annual, tiny flowers | |
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BEGONIA, WAX | Begonia semperflorens | 8/6 in. 20/15 cm | red, pink, white | shade | Feb. 1-20/n/a | Colourful clusters of flowers; green or bronze fleshy leaves and fibrous roots |
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BEGONIA, TUBEROUS | Begonia tuberhybrida | 14/12 in. 35/30 cm | red, pink, yellow, white | shade | n/a | Large showy double flowers; available as plant only |
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CLEOME | Cleome hasslerana | 36/12 in. 90/30 cm | pink, purple, white | sun | Mar. 1-10/May 1-10 | Clusters of flowers with a spidery appearance, tall stems, heat tolerant |
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COLEUS | Coleus x hybridus | 12/10 in. 30/25 cm | varied, red/yellow | part shade to shade | Mar. 1-15/n/a | Grown for colourful foliage; a combination of multi-colored leaves |
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COSMOS | Cosmos bipinnatus | 10-36/24 in. 25-90/60 cm | pink, white, lavender, yellow/red, chocolate | sun | Apr. 1-10/May 10-20 | This plant has feathery foliage with daisy-like flowers, needs staking |
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DAHLBERG DAISY | Thymophylla tenuiloba | 4-8/6 in. 10-20/ cm | yellow | full sun | n/a | Low-growing daisy with ferny foliage, can reseed, good for edging |
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DAHLIA | Dahlia pinnata | 12-24/10 in. 30-60/25 cm | various | sun | Mar. 10-20/May 10-20 | This late summer bloomer adds color to a garden in late summer and early fall, good cut flower |
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DATURA | Datura spp. | 4/2 ft. 1/.5 m | white, yellow, mauve | sun | Mar. 10-20/May 1-10 | An exotic plant, with large trumpet flowers. All plant parts poisonous |
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DIANTHUS/CHINA PINK | Dianthus chinensis | 12/8 in. 30/20 cm | red, pink, white | sun to part shade | Mar. 1-10/May 1-10 | Fringed flowers, similar to carnations; fragrant and frost tolerant |
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DRACAENA | Dracaena indivisa | 36/24 in. 90/60 cm | green foliage | sun to part shade | n/a | Grown for its foliage and rosettes of sword shaped leaves; frost tolerant, available as plant only |
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DUSTY MILLER | Senecio cineraria | 8-16 /8 in. 20-40/20 cm | silver foliage | sun | Feb. 1-10/n/a | Grown for its white foliage, this plant has hairy, divided leaves; drought and frost tolerant |
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FOUR O'CLOCK | Mirabilis jalapa | 30/20 in. 75/50 cm | various | sun | n/a/June 1-15 | Trumpet-like flowers open in late afternoon and stay open all night. Available as seed only |
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FUCHSIA | Fuchsia hybrida | 2 ft. 60 cm | red, purple, pink, white | part shade to shade | Mar. 1-10 | Woody shrub with bi-coloured, drooping flowers. Great for hanging baskets |
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GAILLARDIA | Guillardia pulchella | 18-36/12 in. 46-90/30 cm | yellow, orange, crimson | sun | Mar. 24/n/a | Brilliant daisy like flowers |
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MARIGOLD, AFRICAN | Tagetes erecta | 12-36/12 in. 30-80/30 cm | orange, yellow | sun | Apr. 1-15/May 15-30 | Tall plants with lacy leaves and large flowers |
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MARIGOLD, FRENCH | Tagetes patula | 6-18/6 in. 15-40/15 cm | yellow, orange | sun | Mar. 10-20/May 15-25 | Solid and bicolor flowers |
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MARIGOLD SIGNATA | Tagetes knuifolia | 6-8/6 in. 15-20/20 cm | gold, lemon yellow, tangerine | sun | Mar. 10-20/May 15-25 | Lacy foliage with a citrus fragrance, grown as much for the foliage as the tiny flowers |
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MEXICAN HEATHER | Cuphea hyssopifolia | 24/18-36 in. 30/45-90 cm | purple, lavender, white, pink | part shade | Long stems topped with dainty flower heads | |
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MONKEY FLOWER | Mimulus x hybridus | 10/6 in. 25/15 cm | red, yellow, orange | shade | Mar. 10-20/May 15-20 | Bi-coloured flowers suitable for moist shaded area |
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NASTURTIUM | Tropaeolum majus | 10/10 in. 25/25 cm | red, yellow, orange | sun to part shade | Apr. 1-10/May 1-10 | Dwarf plants with edible foliage and flowers; easy to grow from seed, do not fertilize |
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NEMESIA | Nemesia strumosa | 12/6 in. 30/15 cm | various | sun to part shade | Mar. 1-10/May 10-20 | Flowers resemble miniature orchids, grow in a cool location |
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NICOTIANA | Nicotiana alata | 12-36/10 in. 30-90/25 cm | red, wine, rose, lavender, white | sun to part shade | Mar. 1-10/May 1-10 | Fragrant, star-shaped flowers; also known as flowering tobacco |
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NIEREMBERGIA | Nierembergia caerulea | 4-8/12 in. 10-20/30 cm | white, dark purple | sun to part shade | Mar. 15-30/June 1-15 | Flower has a golden eye, plant forms a neat dense mat that is covered in flowers; frost tolerant |
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PANSY | Viola x wittrockiana | 6-8/6 in. 15-20/15 cm | various | shade | Feb. 1-10/n/a | Hardy and frost tolerant, these short plants grow best in shaded, moist areas, cool season bloomers |
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Phlox drummondii | 6-8/6 in. 15-20/15 cm | various | sun to part shade | Mar. 1-10/May 1-10 | A compact plant with a long lasting bloom period, good cut flower | |
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POPPY, CALIFORNIA | Eschscholzia californica | 16-24/6 in. 40-60/15 cm | orange | sun | Apr. 10-20/May 1-10 | Saucer-shaped flowers all summer, grayish-green foliage |
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POPPY, CORN | Papaver rhoeas | 16-24/18 in. 40-60/45 cm | red, pink, white, salmon | sun | Apr. 10-20/May 15-30 | European wild field poppy, also known as Flanders or Shirley poppy |
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PORTULACA | Portulaca grandiflora | 4/6 in. 10/15 cm | various bright colors | sun | Mar. 1-10/May 10-20 | Succulent plant with rose-like blooms for hot, dry areas, close on cloudy days |
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SALPIGLOSSIS | Salpiglossis sinuata | 24-36/12 in. 60-80/30 cm | rose, orange, purple, red, yellow | sun to part shade | Mar. 15-25/May 10-20 | Petunia-like flowers with veined petals; back of border, good cut flower |
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SALVIA | Salvia spp. | 6-24/15-60 in. 30/30 cm | red, blue, salmon, purple, white | sun | Mar. 1-10/n/a | Erect, bushy plant, uniquely shaped flowers in vivid colours, good cut flower |
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SCAEVOLA | Scaevola aemula | 8/10 in. 20/25 cm | blue, pink, white | sun | Apr. 1-10 | Tiny blue flowers, great for hanging |
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SCHIZANTHUS | Schizanthus x wisetonensis | 12/12 in. 30/30 cm | white, red , blue, pink, purple | sun to part shade | Mar. 1-10/May 10-20 | Spectacular show of lacy leaves and orchid-like flowers, good container or hanging basket plant |
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SNAPDRAGON | Antirrhinum majus | 6-36/12 in. 60/30-90 cm | various | sun, part shade | Mar. 1-15/May 10-20 | Flower spikes bloom from base up, shear for second bloom; good for edging to back of border; frost tolerant |
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STATICE | Limonium sinuatum | 18/12 in. 45/30 cm | blue, yellow, purple, lavender | sun | Mar. 10-20/May 10-20 | Flower spikes with papery petals; good for dried flowers |
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STOCK, NIGHT SCENTED | Matthiola bicornis | 14/8 in. 35/20 cm | lavender | sun to part shade | Mar. 20-30/May 10-20 | Flower spikes with four-petaled blooms forming a cross, scent strongest in evening |
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STOCK, TEN-WEEK | Matthiola incana | 30/8 in. 75/20 cm | various | sun to part shade | Mar. 1-10/May 10-20 | Long, dense, flower spikes; good cut flower, very fragrant |
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STRAWFLOWER | Helichrysum bracteatum | 24-36/8 in. 60-90/20 cm | various | sun | Apr. 10-20/May 10-20 | Daisy-like flowers with straw-like naturally dry flowers |
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SUNFLOWER | Helianthus annuus | 1-12 ft./1-3 ft. 30-360/30-90 cm | gold, amber, burgundy, red | sun | April 1/May 10-20 | Many varieties of tall stemmed flowers with large heads, tall varieties need staking |
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SWEET PEA | Lathyrus odoratus 'Knee High' | 24-30/8 in./60-75 cm | various | sun | April 1/April 15-20 | Shorter sweet peas for garden beds, good for cut flowers, easily grown from seed |
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TORENIA | Torenia fournieri | 6/8 in. 15/20 cm | burgundy, white, blue | part shade | Mar. 20 | Wishbone flower, does well in baskets, keep moist |
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VERBENA | Verbena x hybrida | 12/12 in. 30/30 cm | various | sun | Feb. 20-28/May 10-20 | Both upright and trailing varieties available, round flower clusters in bright colours; good border plant |
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WEE WILLIE | Dianthus barbatus | 4/6 in. 10/15 cm | pink, red, white | sun | Mar. 1-15/June 1-15 | Bushy, flattened heads of colourful flowers in June and July, good border plant |
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ZINNIA | Zinnia elegans | 6-36/15-60 in. 30/30 cm | various | sun | April 1-10/May 20-30 | Showy, with round flowers; likes hot dry areas |