Top 10 Annuals: Favorite Performers to Check Out for 2010

Performance and growth habit go a long way for a plant to find a place in my heart. The following are my top 10 performing annuals to check out for 2010.

1. Supertunia Vista Bubble Gum (full sun)

While I am generally not a huge fan of pink, the shade of this mounding/cascading petunia looks almost good enough to eat! In addition, this plant blooms profusely. While some petunias can get spindly or sparse towards summer’s end, this Supertunia does not. It responds well to pruning and did I mention it blooms profusely? Perfect for hanging baskets or as a filler plant in container gardens.

2. Non-Stop Mocca Yellow Begonia (part sun/shade)

Hands down the best yellow flower for shade. Beautiful clear yellow blooms are contrasted by dark green foliage. Stunning! Like all Non-stop begonias, Mocca Yellow is a continuous bloomer. Excellent in container gardens as either a focal point or filler.

3. Techno Heat Lobelia (full/part sun)

We had both blue and electric blue last spring and both performed superbly. The gorgeous blues provided excellent contrast to a variety of plants combos. Try it with pink, yellow or red. Responds well to pruning, stands up to heat and sun, and has excellent rebound after drought. Perfect in container gardens or hanging baskets either in combos or alone.

4. Gum Drop Cherry Blossom Double Wax Begonia (sun/part sun)

Great heat and drought tolerant annual. The double pink and white blooms are gorgeous and abundant. Blooms tend to be pinker with more heat adding interest as the blooms change color across the season. It is a shorter plant (10”), however, has an equal spread so is not as petite as typical wax begonias. Use in container gardens alone or as a filler plant.

5. Diascia Genta Antique Red or Genta Pink (full sun)

I couldn’t choose just one! Both are gorgeous colors and blend well in combos. The habit is semi-trailing so is better suited as filler in container gardens rather than a true trailer. The delicate foliage and profuse blooms make this plant a container gardening must have.

6. Gartenmeister Fuchsia (shade)

This is one of several upright fuchsias available. What I love about this one is the rich dark green foliage that contrasts brilliants with the bright pink-orange blooms. The flowers differ from typical fuchsias in that they are tubular, similar to a honeysuckle bloom, but dramatic, again, because of its shocking color. Great for a focal point in container gardens.

7. King Tut Grass (sun/partial sun)

This ornamental grass can take drought, heat, sun and water, and even some shade. This plant is a true trooper. King Tut grows very larger so is suited to garden planting and very larger containers. Plant with other vigorous growing annuals. Stunning tropical looking plant that is also great in water gardens.

8. Cabaret Yellow Calibrachoa (full sun)

This cali boasts profuse beautiful lemon yellow blooms. This is a perfect soft lemon yellow that combines easily with other annuals. Cabaret yellow is an ideal trailing plant for hanging baskets, either alone or in combos, and container gardens.

9. Lantana Bandana Series (full sun)

Again, I couldn’t pick just one! The cherry, rose, pink and red varieties all feature multi-color flower clusters with varying shades of the named color mixed with soft to deep yellow. A very heat and drought tolerant plant. While this plant gets very large in the south where it hails from, here in the Midwest, our short growing season and cooler temps keeps it in check. Lantana is great a filler in hanging baskets and container gardens.

10. Purslane (Portulaca) Rio Scarlet (full sun)

Gorgeous red pink blooms on a heat and drought tolerant plant. Tends to be flat in gardens but is a wonderful trailing plant in container gardens. Prefers lots of sun and heat but in those conditions, will bloom throughout the hottest days of summer.