Annuals
For plants that will literally bloom their heads off, annuals can't be beat. Because they only have one season to live to produce seeds for a succeeding generation, annuals will produce in non-stop profusion.
* Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) can be relied on all summer for a spectacular show of colorful blooms that make excellent cut flowers. Plant cosmos in full sun and allow mid-summer blooms to go to seed so this 'annual' will produce volunteer seedlings next year, giving you a head start on planting season.
* Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) produces daisy-like blooms from May till September. Plant seeds in well-draining soil that is located in full sun. Blanket Flower will reach a mature height of 3 feet and comes in bloom colors of red, orange and yellow.
* Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata) produces fragrant trumpet-shaped blooms in pink, red, white or lime green that open in the early evening. The large-leafed plant grows well in most soil and can be sown as seeds directly into the soil Mature Flowering Tobacco will be about 4 feet tall.
* Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) Zinnia comes in many shapes, sizes and colors, but if you want non-stop bloom color from these old favorites, choose a compact growing variety that has a mature height of about 2 feet.
Perennials
Choose some of these perennials that will remain in bloom for at least 6 weeks to help you achieve bloom color spring through fall.
* Daylily (Hemerocallis) sun-loving daylilies are easy to grow, adapt to most soil conditions and are drought-tolerant. The hardy perennials comes in every bloom color except blue and must be dead-headed daily for best bloom results.
* Bee Balm (Monardo didymo) is tall, fragrant and produces bloom color during the hottest, driest part of summer when everything else in the garden is wilting. Butterflies, hummingbirds and bees are attracted to the large crimson or violet blooms.
* Verbena (Verbena hybrida) is another plant that thrives during the Dog Days of summer and rewards you with deep purple flowers that hug the ground. Plant Verbena as a living mulch tucked in among other annuals and perennials or plant in hanging baskets.
* Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) produces single or double daisy-like blooms that can be cut repeatedly throughout the growing season. Feverfew re-seeds itself and must be dead-headed during blooming season.
