With the spring season upon us and the final frost date in the upcoming weeks, it’s time to explore annuals. Growing spring annuals in the northeast can be a tough task, as the cold weather hasn’t fully departed until the late spring. Luckily, plants are tough and thrive when handled properly. One way to do this is by starting to grow an annual indoors and transplanting it outside after the final frost date (May 3rd in Dutchess County, NY). Another way that many use is “hardening-off” the plants, by slowly introducing them to the cool air and protecting them overnight when the temperatures drop (by bringing them inside). After a week or two of “hardening-off”, you transplant them outside and let them grow. Either of these ideas work for the northeast gardener for getting early blooms. However, if you aren’t looking for an early bloom, you can always plant seedlings late or just purchase the annuals already bloomed.

Best Annual Choices for the Northeast

African Daisy

In the northeast, there’s a lot of plant variety, but nothing quite like the African Daisy. With a wide bloom and thin petals, this annual/perennial (depending on location) stands out and blooms from frost date to frost date. While it has a dormant time over summer from the extreme heat, you can count on the African Daisy to catch your eye and the eyes of any local birds. Make sure to”harden-off” the seedlings and plant closer to the time of the last frost date. African Daisies thrive in full sun, so make sure they get their fair share. With a host of coloring to choose from, the African Daisy is a fit for many gardens or containers.

Marigold

While some marigolds are fall blooms, the African Marigold and the French Marigold can be spring bloomers. However, if you want them to be a spring bloom, you must plant the seedlings indoors around a month prior to the last frost date. With shades anywhere from yellow to orange to red, marigolds are a bright addition to your garden. Deadheading marigolds will allow the flower to continue blooming throughout the season and into the fall. The African Marigold is tall and bulbous shaped, while the French Marigold blooms all over in a beautiful fashion. Even though they’re an annual, marigolds can return year to year if the area is supportive of it.

Pansy

The Pansy is a mainstay in northeastern gardens for its ease of care, beautiful colors and variety of choices. Their early bloom celebrates the start of spring and is possible because of their ability to tolerate cool weather. If purchasing them as seedlings, sow them for about 6 weeks prior to transplanting them into your garden or containers. Unfortunately, pansies only bloom through spring, so you’ll be forced to replace with a summer annual if you want the continued color.

Petunia

Petunia, like the pansy, is a favorite among gardeners. Being easy to grow and nurture, the petunia thrives in most situations. They have the ability to work as ground cover, in a window container or on their own. With a sweet fragrance and a host of colors to choose from, there’s no reason that petunias can’t be your favorite annual.

Poppy Flowers

Finally, we arrive at the Poppy Flower. Poppy flowers have a long and interesting backstory, including in religion and mythology. While they have a significant backstory, they can also bring some color to your garden. With bright hues and petals that can look like tissue paper, these annuals are eye-catching to say the least. Blooming in late spring and even into early summer, they only require one planting, as they self-seed. As these annuals are fragile, try to not transplant them, instead choosing to seed directly where they’ll bloom. If you need an eye-catcher for your garden, look no further than the poppy flower.

Plant Encyclopedia – “Hardening-Off” – Flowers for Spring and Fall – 5 Annuals for the Northeast – Is it Time Yet?