Self Seeding Annuals

Annuals are notorious for one season blooms. But for those who want the instant beauty of an annual and the durability of a perennial there are those that are self sowing. This means that if you do not deadhead your plants, they will release seeds and new seedlings will come up the next year on their own. Below is a listing of five of the top self seeding annuals and a brief profile of them.

Centaurea cyanus Bachelor’s Button
This annual propagates by seeds and enjoys full sun. It has a varied color scheme and will bloom from early summer to autumn. It grows up to 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide with a alkaline pH soil. A great choice for a cutting gardening.

Cleome spp. Spider Flower
This annual enjous light shade or full sun and will have pink/rose/white blooms from early summer to mid fall. A tall flower; ranging up to 6 feet tall and 1 foot wide. It’s a hardy and adaptable plant, with any soil being good. It too is a good choice for a cutting garden.

Cosmos ssp. Cosmos
Drought tolerant and blooms from summer to fall, this annual gets up to 3 feet tall and prefers full sun. Plant this in Spring after the first frost for great blooms. The colors are varied on this particular annual.

Eschscholzia californica California Poppy
Technically a “tender perennial” this annual blooms from spring to fall and prefers full sun. It has a varied color palette dependent upon variety and will get up to a foot tall. This is a nice all purpose flower.

Nigella damascena Love-in-a-Mist
A spring blooming annual that hits up to 2 feet tall; preferring full sun. This has a great drought tolerance and the blooms can be used in dried arrangements.

Portulaca spp. Moss Rose
This annual will bloom from early summer to fall and get just 6 inches high. It prefers full sun and will find its way as a ground cover if let alone. It has orange/rust/red/yellow color palettes.

Picture of Spiderflower by Clarence A. Rechenthin @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database