color/annuals

Some annuals offer color in both their blooms and their foliage. Examples of these are Celosia, Begonias, and New Guinea Impatiens. The extra interest of the color of the leaves make these plants a good choice when you want a lot of color in a little space. Mass plantings give an intense area of color when you choose plants with all of the same color of blooms and foliage. Clumping the same species of plants into groups of different bloom and foliage color can make a bed of simple design look much more complex.

Some plants may not have spectacular foliage or different leaf colors to choose from, but do have large, bright, and/or very noticeable blooms. Inca Marigolds and Zinnias are annuals that have such characteristics. The blooms are large and sit on the top of the plant so as to present the most color possible. These plants are grown for their colorful blooms so be sure that when you use them in your garden the flowers aren't hidden by other plants. Annuals with showy blooms look good in front of evergreen hedges or dark walls and fences where their bright flowers can stand out.

Annuals such as Dusty Miller and Coleus hold their main interest in foliage color. Plants that focus more on leaves than blooms for color can be great for adding texture to the garden. They are also good for breaking up groups of blooming plants. These plants also work well when used as continuous borders or in a long bed or as borders along a series of beds. When used in this manner, the color and texture of the plants help to unify sections of a large bed or separate beds.