Technically an annual is defined as a plant that complete its life cycle–from seed to plant to bloom and back to seed again–in one season. (Biennials live two years and perennials live three years or longer.) But for those of us living in the cold climates with a short growing season, an annual is defined as a plant we use for only one season, whether or not it completes its life cycle.
Most annuals prefer sun, but they can still play an important role in the garden, even when planted in the shade. To make the right choices about which annuals to plant, first determine the amount of shade an annual will have to tolerate. When the plant will get four to six hours of sun, consider the location light shade. Two to four hours of sun can be called medium shade and less than two hours qualifies as full or dense shade. Unfortunately, even shade-tolerant annuals don't do very well in full shade.
When you determine the level of shade in a given area, be sure to give the area extra credit if the shade is created by deciduous trees (since that is filtered, moving shade) or if the area receives lots of reflected light off nearby light-colored buildings. Check the area a couple times a day and on several different days during the growing season. Sometimes an area we think is fairly shady actually gets enough light to grow the more demanding sun-loving annuals.
In addition to evaluating the shade level and putting the right plant in the right place, be sure to take into consideration other factors that might affect plant growth. Quite often shade is created by nearby trees or large shrubs that may also take up most of the available nutrients and water in the area. When this is the case, gardeners need to be particularly careful about keeping annuals watered and fertilized, especially when they are newly planted and struggling to send out their roots.
All of the plants we have listed below will grow in shade. However, to avoid disappointment, please understand that when these plants are grown in too much shade some of them might not bloom as well or may have a looser, leggier growth habit.
Light Shade Only Lobelia Small delicate flowers; some varieties have intense blue color; performs best as cool season annual.
This annual is available either as a trailing or upright plant. Torenia (Clown or Wishbone Flower) Snapdragon-like pink, blue or white flowers on compact or trailing plants. Salvia (Scarlet Sage) Bold red, purple, orange or white spikes of color on upright plants. Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) Loose clusters of red, pink, white or pale green flowers held above large leaves. Cleome (Spider Flower) Very tall, willowy plants with large heads of spider-like blooms in pink, purple or white. Schizanthus (Butterfly Flower) Red, rose, pink or white showy flowers with yellow centers; performs best as a cool season annual. Ivy Geranium Trailing plants with ivy-like foliage; flower heads looser than regular geraniums; lots of colors. Snapdragons Intricate flowers on long, terminal racemes; wide color range; upright plants; cold tolerant. Ageratum (Floss Flower) Tight clusters of fluffy flowers; lavender-blue, white and occasionally rose; compact bedding or upright cutting varieties available; needs occasional deadheading to stay productive. Nierembergia (Cupflower) Bell-shaped light blue or white flowers on a compact plant with fine foliage. Exacum (Persian Violet) Blue to mauve small flowers over small glossy leaves on an upright plant. Sweet Alyssum Rounded heads of tiny blooms; white, rose or purple; very fragrant; heavy feeder; cold tolerant. Matricaria (Feverfew) Hundreds of tiny yellow and white mum-like flowers on loose, upright plants. Thunbergia (Black-eyed Susan Vine) Showy yellow, orange or white flowers with dark centers; aggressive vine. Annual Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) There are several varieties of this popular perennial that are either
annual or bloom readily from seed their first year; large, yellow-orange daisy-like flowers on upright plants. Sunflowers Despite their common name, sunflowers will bloom in light shade; tall upright plants with large,
solitary flowers; yellow, cream, white or burgundy. Nasturtium Large unique flowers on attractive foliage; orange, yellow, white or red; upright or trailing; plant
where the soil is poor; fertile soil leads to lots of leaves and few flowers. Mimulus (Monkey Flower) Another member of the snapdragon family; yellow flowers tinged with red or
bronze; upright plants.
Partial Shade Balsam An upright relative of impatiens with similar flowers but they are held close to the main stems; many colors. Begonia, Wax An interesting combination of stiff, waxy leaves that can be green or shades of bronze with
flowers of either pink, white or red; compact, upright plants. Begonia, Tuberous Very large individual flowers on upright or trailing plant with large fleshy leaves and stems; grown from a tuber; wide color range; very heavy feeder. Browallia Upright plant that offers medium-sized blue or white flowers; likes warm weather. Impatiens Queen of the Shade Plants! Wide range of flowers colors on a wide range of plant sizes; upright or spreading; regular impatiens tolerate more shade than New Guineas. Coleus Prized for its colorful foliage; leaves various patterns of red, green, bronze, pink and maroon; new varieties tolerate both sun and shade; not grown for flower (flower spikes usually removed). Elephant Ears Huge green leaves with a tropical look; grown from a large bulb; start early indoors. Pansies & Violas Flowers in a wide range of colors; pansies have larger blooms than violas; both bloom best
early in the season when it is still cool; their greater numbers make up for the smaller blooms on violas. Forget-Me-Nots Loose clusters of small flowers on spreading plants; likes the cool part of the season; flowers blue or white, often with an undertone of pink. Dusty Miller Grown for its dusty-white foliage; rarely blooms; upright; several varieties with different types of leaves; used to highlight and complement other plants.
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If you’re sending flowers or gifts out of town, you can rely on us to choose the best florist from either the FTD or Teleflora nationwide flower network. Florists who can be counted on to deliver the best fresh flower arrangements and gifts, even when doing a same day delivery.
