For eye-popping color from spring to fall, annuals can\u2019t be beat. But soggy soil can make it tough to keep annuals alive and thriving, especially those prone to root rot and fungus. We\u2019ve compiled a list of the best annuals for moist to wet soil.<\/p>
If you live in a swampy area, have a ditch in your yard where water pools, or want to build a rain garden, these annuals are the antidote. Most of them naturally grow around rivers, lakes, and bogs, which means they\u2019re well-adapted to waterlogged soil. <\/p>
Charming periwinkle flowers with yellow and white centers sure make annual forget-me-nots<\/a> hard to forget. These lovely low-growing flowers have oblong, bright green leaves and clusters of spring-blooming flowers that attract butterflies, bees, and birds. <\/p> Forget-me-nots are ideal for rain gardens<\/a> and water gardens, and they grow beautifully around garden borders and as a ground cover. Just be sure to deadhead<\/a> them (cut fading blooms) to promote new blossoms and prevent excessive self-seeding. Otherwise, you could end up with an army of weedy forget-me-nots next year!<\/p> Start seeds indoors eight to 10 weeks before the final frost date of spring or directly sow seeds outdoors a few weeks before the final frost date. If you live in a warmer climate, spread seeds outdoors in early fall for spring blossoms. <\/p> Forget-me-nots are excellent self-seeders, so you can hold off on reseeding plants for the next year. They also can overwinter as biennials in warmer areas. <\/p> \u201cPopular\u201d doesn\u2019t begin to describe impatiens<\/a>. These mounding multicolored beauties are the superstars of cottage gardens<\/a>, container gardens, hanging baskets, and deeply shaded areas where other plants refuse to grow. Attracting butterflies and hummingbirds galore, impatiens blossom in spring and don\u2019t stop until the first frost of fall. <\/p> Impatiens boast deep green, succulent leaves and orange, red, white, purple, or pink flowers, depending on the cultivar. A special bonus? Impatiens are self-cleaning (they naturally shed spent flowers), which means you won\u2019t have to do any deadheading.<\/p> Caution:<\/strong> Impatiens walleriana<\/em> (AKA busy Lizzie) is highly susceptible to downy mildew<\/a>, a water mold that causes leaf spots and can lead to defoliation and death. If you\u2019re planting impatiens in a wet area, consider the disease-resistant \u201cImara\u201d or \u201cBeacon\u201d cultivars.<\/p> Start seeds indoors nine weeks before the last frost date of spring, or directly sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Choose a shaded location protected from the wind. <\/p> Fiber optic grass<\/a> looks like the bright green head of a mop, and it behaves like one, too! This stunning sedge soaks up standing water and thrives on the shores of rivers, streams, and marshes. Unlike most of the annuals on this list, fiber optic grass isn\u2019t famous for its flowers. Instead, it\u2019s prized for its glossy, hair-like leaves that droop gracefully as it matures. <\/p> You can grow fiber optic grass in the ground, as a houseplant, or in a pond, water garden, or rain garden. If you plant fiber optic grass in the ground, do not let the soil dry out, as this will cause the foliage to turn a sickly shade of brown. <\/p> Caution:<\/strong> Fiber optic grass is toxic to dogs and humans if ingested, so plant it in a location where pups and young kids won\u2019t take a bite of it. <\/p> Sow fiber optic grass directly into the ground in spring after the danger of frost has passed, raking a light layer of soil over the seeds. If growing fiber optic grass as a container plant, start seeds in a mix of potting soil and peat moss. <\/p> Bring potted plants indoors before the first frost of fall to keep them alive for the next growing season. <\/p> Every petal of the five spot<\/a> is a work of art. These graceful trailing wildflowers boast delicate, bell-shaped white flowers with purple-blue spots at the tip of each petal that resemble a painter\u2019s brushstroke. Five spots are native to California and thrive in cooler climates, blooming all spring long before self-seeding in fall. <\/p> Five spot is a stunning accent for rock gardens<\/a>, cottage gardens, and container gardens, and around pathways and patios. Plant it in your wildflower meadow<\/a> to attract bees and butterflies and provide a habitat for native wildlife. <\/p> Directly sow seeds into the soil in early spring when soil temperatures reach 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not start seeds indoors, as five spots do not transplant well.<\/p> Sprinkle seeds over the ground and then rake lightly to mix seeds into the soil. In climates with warmer winters, sow seeds in fall for spring blooms. For best results, plant five spots in an area that gets afternoon shade. <\/p> Flower-of-an-hour<\/a> gets its name from the creamy hibiscus-like flowers that bloom for only one day each. But don\u2019t fret about losing flowers: Flower-of-an-hour blooms profusely, so you\u2019ll see plenty of beautiful big blossoms from midsummer into early fall. <\/p> This tall, rapid grower forms compact mounds with dark green, lobed leaves. Flower petals are white or yellow with a hint of purple, with deep magenta centers. Flowers bloom on sunny days and stay closed during cloudy weather. Along with its magical flowers, flower-of-an-hour produces unique, inflated seed pods that resemble Chinese paper lanterns.<\/p> Sow seeds indoors four to six weeks before the final frost date of spring or outside after the danger of frost has passed.<\/p> Jewelweed<\/a> will be the shining jewel in your soggy, shady landscape. In fact, it got its name because it appears to sparkle like a gemstone when wet. Also known as the spotted touch-me-not, jewelweed is a self-seeding native plant with bright orange, pouch-like flowers with striking flecks of red inside the throat of the flower. <\/p> Hummingbirds, bumblebees, and butterflies can\u2019t get enough of jewelweed blossoms. Flowers begin blooming in midsummer and continue until the fall frost. For a fun late summer activity, gently touch the seed pods: They\u2019ll dramatically pop open at the slightest touch (hence the name \u201ctouch-me-not\u201d).<\/p> Fun fact:<\/strong> If you\u2019re feeling itchy, use the sap of the jewelweed to soothe irritated skin, hives, sores, and poison ivy rash. Jewelweed has long been a part of Native American medicine. <\/p> Cold stratify jewelweed seeds by sealing dry seeds in a bag and storing the bag in the refrigerator for two to three months before planting. Sow jewelweed seeds outdoors in early spring, or start seeds indoors and transplant them once the threat of frost has passed. <\/p> With cheerful yellow and white flowers that resemble a poached egg, meadowfoam<\/a> is a beautiful breakfast for bees. It grows rapidly to form a bushy carpet of yellow-green, fern-like foliage, making it the perfect contrast to dark green, larger-leafed shrubs and perennials. <\/p> Native to California and Oregon, meadowfoam is an excellent self-seeder and resists most diseases and pests. Plus, it attracts hoverflies that prey on pesky aphids, so you can hold off on the pesticide. <\/p> For winter and early spring blooms, sow seeds directly into the ground in fall after soil temperatures are below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have harsh, cold winters, plant seeds in early spring for summer blossoms.<\/p> With funnel-shaped multicolored flowers and deep green succulent leaves, monkey flowers<\/a> will transform that bare shady spot beneath your trees or porch from an eyesore to the crown jewel of your yard. These lovely low-growers spread rapidly and are excellent in annual garden beds, hanging baskets, and container gardens<\/a>, and as border plants for footpaths and patios.<\/p> Monkey flowers range in color from white to light pink, orange, and yellow, boasting distinctive crimson spots and patterns. They bloom from late spring or early summer to the fall frost. <\/p> Start seeds indoors 10 weeks before the final frost date of spring, chilling seeds in the refrigerator for 10 to 21 days before taking them out and moving them to a warm location (70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit). Alternatively, you can spread seeds outdoors in early spring. <\/p> How to plant annual forget-me-not<\/span><\/h3>
2. Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
How to plant impatiens<\/span><\/h3>
3. Fiber optic grass (Isolepis cernua<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
How to plant fiber optic grass<\/span><\/h3>
4. Five spot (Nemophila maculata<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
How to plant five spot<\/span><\/h3>
5. Flower-of-an-hour (Hibiscus trionum<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
How to plant flower-of-an-hour<\/span><\/h3>
6. Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
How to plant jewelweed<\/span><\/h3>
7. Meadowfoam (Limnanthes douglasii<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
How to plant meadowfoam<\/span><\/h3>
8. Monkey flower (Mimulus x hybridus<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
How to plant monkey flower<\/span><\/h3>
9. Taro (Colocasia esculenta<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>