I thought since its almost spring and this is a new Cubit it might be a neat idea to get a list of easy no/low-fuss annuals going for newbees that might come by. Please only add annuals you have grown so we can learn from personal experience

Some of my favorites are

Poor-Man's Orchid - very easy and looks like a difficult exotic.

California Poppy - sometimes the double,ruffled or fluted kinds seem to be more difficult. If you're new, maybe try the singles first.

Shirley Poppies - simply sprinkle the seeds in the spring when the snow is melting before the weather warms. I find if its too warm the seeds won't sprout.

Cosmos - Plant the seeds straight outside in late spring. Do not let young plants become rootbound or they will be permanently stunted.

Or if you want to try something easy with indoor sowing, Dahlias are great and fast growing.


Looking forward to hearing what everyine elses favorites are!

Steven, what a great thread!

I've had very good luck with almost any of the rudbeckia (once they get started, they self-sow nicely). Some favorites; Irish Eyes, Indian Summer, Cherokee Sunset.

Also, I grew Scabiosa blackamoor last year, and it was awesome. Took a little while to get going, but bloomed until a hard frost, and the color was incredible.

Zinnias are also easy to start from seed, even if direct-sowing. I've grown Wowie Zowie (a real butterfly magnet), Green Envy, Purple Prince, and Come and Cut Again. They help keep my vase of cut flowers filled for a good portion of the summer. I saved seed from the Wowie Zowie and replanted last year--they didn't come quite true, but very close, so lots of the bright yellow/orange color that is so attractive to butterflies.

Snapdragons are also easy from seed, and will re-seed easily without being invasive. I grow the taller Rocket Mix and get a wide range of colors. They also bloom until frost, and just really are so hardy.

Thanks Linda!

Petunias are also great started indoors or either winter or spring sowed!

Steven, What a great thread. I like all that have been mentioned. One annual that I seed every year is stocks. They smell so great and are super easy to seed.

Oh yeah! I forgot about them, just seeded some the other day.

can't go wrong with snapdragons

Snapdragons are a favorite of mine too. I wintersow them, and most will last at least 2 or 3 years for me. That's my kind of "annual". They volunteer, too, but it's one of the few self-sowing annuals that aren't thugs in my yard.

Karen

snaps are good for volunteers here and strawflowers .. there is an area of my garden I plant annuals in... every year I just fill in the gaps of spots that did not self seed... there is cockscomb, love lies bleeding, snapdragons, strawflowers, and a few datura seeds end up coming back every year... can't find a photo of just that area (of course) but.. I love the strawflowers & snaps because they go long into fall .. even with the cold wet summer we had that spot looked fantastic last year (seen behind the canna in the photo)

ah ha.. you can get more of an idea with this one

Oh WOW! Now I won't be able to grow just a few strawflowers.........now I need to grow a whole patch!

just throw the seeds in the spot.. I would say mine boarder invasive but I don't mind

Thanks! I don't think I would mind either!

Brachycome daisies (Swan River Daisies) are easy and they germinate at 4'C and 21'C ( 40'F and 70'F).

My Brachycomes did great last summer! A variety called 'Blue Star' flowerd almost all summer! Need to start those again.......