Annual flowers that bloom all summer
Annual flowers in our records recorded as blooming in early summer, midsummer and late summer. Virginia Cooperative Extension notes that most annuals bloom for most of the growing season. The table below compares every plant we list side by side.
- Varieties
- 101
- Height
- 0½–16 ft (15–488 cm)
- Hardiness
- Grown as an annual in every zone
- Flowers
-
40 Zinnias
39 Marigolds
13 Sunflowers
9 Black-eyed Susans
All 101 annual flowers that bloom all summer
How to choose
- Compare the Bloom time column against your own frost dates.
- Plan to deadhead. Virginia Cooperative Extension says removing spent flowers encourages continuous bloom.
- Check Days to bloom. A late start shortens the season even for long-flowering plants.
Compare side by side
| Color | Sunlight | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Giant | Single stem sunflower (estimated) | 8–16 ft (244–488 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Antigua | African marigold | 10–16 in (25–41 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Autumn Colors | Rudbeckia hirta black-eyed Susan | 2 ft (55–61 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) | Full sun | |
| Autumn Forest | Rudbeckia hirta black-eyed Susan | 18–22 in (46–56 cm) | – | Late spring, Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Aztec Sunset | Dahlia-flowered zinnia (estimated) | 6–10 in (15–25 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Benary's Giant | Dahlia-flowered zinnia | 3½–4 ft (102–127 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Bonanza | French marigold | 6–10 in (15–25 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Boy O Boy | French marigold | 8 in (20 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Bright Jewels | Cactus-flowered zinnia | 3 ft (91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Buttercream | Branching sunflower (estimated) | 4–5 ft (122–147 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| California Giant | Dahlia-flowered zinnia (estimated) | 2–4 ft (61–122 cm) (estimated) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Candy Cane | Dahlia-flowered zinnia | 1½–2 ft (43–61 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Cappuccino | Rudbeckia hirta black-eyed Susan | 18–20 in (46–51 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Cempasúchil | African marigold | 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) (estimated) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Cherry Brandy | Rudbeckia hirta black-eyed Susan | 1½–2 ft (51–61 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Chim Chiminee | Rudbeckia hirta black-eyed Susan | 2–2½ ft (61–76 cm) | 5–8 | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) | Full sun | |
| Climax | African marigold | 3 ft (91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Crackerjack | African marigold | 2–3 ft (61–91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Crystal | Single zinnia | 8–10 in (20–25 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Cut and Come Again | Semi-double zinnia | 2–3½ ft (61–107 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Disco | French marigold | 8–10 in (20–25 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Discovery | African marigold | 8–10 in (20–25 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Dreamland | Dahlia-flowered zinnia (estimated) | 8–16 in (20–41 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Dropshot Irish Lace | Other marigold | 14 in (36 cm) | 1–13 | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) | (estimated) | Full sun |
| Durango | French marigold | 8–12 in (20–30 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | (estimated) | Full sun |
| Envy | Semi-double zinnia | 2–2½ ft (61–76 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Eskimo | African marigold | 12–18 in (30–46 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| French Vanilla | African marigold | 12–16 in (30–41 cm) (estimated) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Giant Cactus Flowered | Cactus-flowered zinnia | 2–4 ft (61–122 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun, Part shade | |
| Giant Cactus Pinca | Cactus-flowered zinnia | 3 ft (91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Giant Primrose | Branching sunflower | 8–12 ft (244–366 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Harlequin | French marigold | 3 ft (91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Inca | Cactus-flowered zinnia | 3 ft (91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Inca II | African marigold | 12–14 in (30–36 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Indian Summer | Rudbeckia hirta black-eyed Susan | 3–3½ ft (91–107 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Isabellina | Dahlia-flowered zinnia (estimated) | 3–4 ft (91–127 cm) | 2–11 | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Jade | Branching sunflower | 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Janie | French marigold | 8–10 in (20–25 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Jazzy Mix | Semi-double zinnia | 1½–2 ft (51–66 cm) | 1–13 | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Kilimanjaro White | African marigold | 1½–2 ft (46–61 cm) | 3–10 | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Kong | Branching sunflower | 13–14 ft (400–427 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Lady | African marigold | 1½–2½ ft (46–76 cm) (estimated) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Lemon Drop | French marigold | 6–12 in (15–30 cm) (estimated) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Lemon Gem | Signet marigold | 10–18 in (25–46 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Lemon Queen | Branching sunflower | 5–7 ft (152–213 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Lemon Star | Signet marigold | 10–18 in (25–46 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Lilliput | Pompon zinnia | 1½–2 ft (46–61 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Macarenia | Dahlia-flowered zinnia | 2–3 ft (61–91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Magellan | Dahlia-flowered zinnia (estimated) | 12–18 in (30–46 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Mazurkia | Dahlia-flowered zinnia | 1½–2½ ft (51–76 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Moreno | Rudbeckia hirta black-eyed Susan | 12 in (30 cm) | – | Late spring, Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Mr. Majestic | French marigold | 9–12 in (23–30 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Naughty Marietta | French marigold | 8–12 in (20–30 cm) (estimated) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Oklahoma | Semi-double zinnia | 2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Old Mexico | Semi-double zinnia | 12–18 in (30–46 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Orange Cactus | Cactus-flowered zinnia | 2–4 ft (61–122 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Paprika | Signet marigold | 10–12 in (25–30 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Peppermint Stick | Dahlia-flowered zinnia (estimated) | 2½ ft (71 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Perfection | African marigold | 14–16 in (36–41 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Persian Carpet | Semi-double zinnia | 12–18 in (30–46 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Petite | French marigold | 6–12 in (15–30 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Polar Bear | Dahlia-flowered zinnia | 2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Prairie Sun | Rudbeckia hirta black-eyed Susan | 2½ ft (71–81 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| ProCut Orange | Single stem sunflower | 5–6 ft (152–183 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| ProCut White Nite | Single stem sunflower | 5–6 ft (152–183 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Profusion | Single zinnia (estimated) | 14–18 in (36–46 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Purple Prince | Dahlia-flowered zinnia | 2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Queen Lime | Dahlia-flowered zinnia | 2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Queen Sophia | French marigold | 10–12 in (25–30 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Red Cherry | French marigold | 6–10 in (15–25 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Red Gem | Signet marigold | 10–18 in (25–46 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Safari | French marigold | 12 in (30 cm) (estimated) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Sahara | Rudbeckia hirta black-eyed Susan | 20–22 in (51–56 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Senora | Cactus-flowered zinnia | 3–3½ ft (91–102 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Senorita | Cactus-flowered zinnia | 3 ft (91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Short Stuff | Dahlia-flowered zinnia (estimated) | 8–10 in (20–25 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Skyscraper | Single stem sunflower | 10–12 ft (305–366 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Sparky Mix | French marigold | 10–12 in (25–30 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Star Orange | Single zinnia (estimated) | 14 in (35–36 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | (estimated) | Full sun |
| Starburst Lemon Aura | Branching sunflower | 4–5 ft (122–152 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Starfire Mix | Signet marigold | 2–2½ ft (61–76 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| State Fair | Dahlia-flowered zinnia | 2½–3 ft (76–91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Strawberry Blonde | French marigold | 8–10 in (20–25 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Sugar & Spice White | African marigold | 2½ ft (76 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Sunrich Orange | Single stem sunflower | 4–5 ft (122–152 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Sunzilla | Single stem sunflower | 10–16 ft (305–488 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Super Hero | French marigold | 10–12 in (25–30 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Swizzle | Double zinnia | 10–12 in (25–30 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Taishan | African marigold | 10–12 in (25–30 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Tangerine Gem | Signet marigold | 10–18 in (25–46 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Thumbelina | Semi-double zinnia | 6–10 in (15–25 cm) (estimated) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Titan | Single stem sunflower (estimated) | 10–14 ft (305–427 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer | Full sun | |
| Unicorn Mix | Dahlia-flowered zinnia (estimated) | 3½–4½ ft (102–132 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Uproar Rose | Dahlia-flowered zinnia (estimated) | 2½–3 ft (71–91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Vanilla | African marigold | 16 in (41 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Whirligig | Semi-double zinnia (estimated) | 2 ft (61 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| White Swan | African marigold | 2½–3 ft (71–91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Zahara | Single zinnia | 12–20 in (30–51 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Zenith | Triploid marigold | 12–15 in (30–38 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) | Full sun | |
| Zinderella | Scabiosa-flowered zinnia | 2–3 ft (61–91 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun | |
| Zowie! Yellow Flame | Semi-double zinnia | 2–2½ ft (61–76 cm) | – | Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall | Full sun |
Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep annuals flowering?
Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends removing spent flowers, naming marigold, cosmos and zinnia among the annuals where it is particularly useful.