Power Flowers That Deliver a Colorful Garden Year-Round

Petunias add a burst of color to any garden, with diverse shades, full blooms, and a stand-out-anywhere appearance. One of the most popular annuals on the market, you can plant these blossoms any time during the winter, including the frigid January and February months. An added bonus? They can sprout indoors 10 weeks before their standard outdoor planting date.

Since they vary widely in size, you can cover your garden with blossoms, ranging from miniature to supersized, which grow inches every day. Ideal for any garden, hunt for hues ranging from rich reds to deep purples, pastel pinks, or more subtle salmons.

For February, get a head start on planting species with longer growing seasons. Snapdragons are a winter favorite in warmer hardiness zones, and they're available in an assortment of heights and hues, including bold pink, peach, orange, yellow, and bicolor.

These cold weather-lovers can withstand subfreezing temperatures, making them a winter garden must-have. With an average eight-week blooming cycle, it won't take long to see those pretty petals reveal themselves.

This sturdy selection features small, yet colorful blooms that instantly radiate, and their popularity as a butterfly magnet means you'll attract even more beauty to your garden.

Plant seeds in early spring, around March, and watch them grow into blossoming beauties in just eight weeks. Their rapid growth cycle makes this a go-to variety for gardeners craving an easy addition of color throughout the spring/summer months.

Verbena thrives during summer's hottest days, but it's best to get started in spring after the last frost ends. These take a while to flower, up to 90 days depending on the species, but the burst of color when they finally open will instantly enliven your space. A favorite for hanging baskets, hybrid varieties like the Superbena deliver nonstop blossoms.

These purple petals perform well throughout the summer, delivering strong, bold blossoms that hold up well under intense heat, humidity, and sunlight. Plant them in May or June to experience the full effect; seedlings take just 10 to 14 days to sprout and four weeks to flower, so they have a relatively rapid growth cycle.

To foster more blooms, fertilize these beauties while they're in pots and keep on top of routine trimming.

It's tough to find brighter blooms than these, which achieve bold color in the heart of summer and last well into fall. For best results, sow seeds after the spring frost is over, ideally around late April or May. Achieve a fuller look by seeking out varieties with larger petals, such as Haageana Blue or Purple Prince. These take eight to nine weeks to bloom, so start counting down.

Available in a rainbow of colors ranging from pale yellow to peach, magenta, and violet, these stunning petals are truly a showstopper.

Sow seeds in early summer to encourage growth all the way until that first fall frost. After germination, blooming takes between one to two months, depending on which variety you choose. With such a long growing period, however, you'll have a festive display that flows from season to season.

Ideal for August, fragrant flowers are the highlight of this breathtaking selection, which reaches up to six feet. These blossoms deliver an unmistakable scent, enriching warm summer nights. A woodland favorite, flowers open in the evening, filling the air with their potent perfume.

Germination takes just one to two weeks, with flowers taking shape in about six. Be mindful of the variety you select; some species last just one to two weeks, while others grow strong well into the first frost.

These cheerful blooms are best planted during the cooler, early months of spring and fall, making them a cold-weather favorite. Since they take about 10 months to bloom, be proactive with planting, and you'll notice those signature pastel petals in no time.

These sturdy annuals can easily bounce back from frosts and perform well in direct sunlight, even in regions with freezing temperatures.

These bright blue blossoms make an excellent addition to any garden, and they're also available in pastel pink and white varieties. For the fullest flowers, plant your seeds in the late fall, around October or November. When winter arrives, the snow will boost growth for an early spring arrival.

These tough growers can tolerate freezing temperatures and frost, so there's no need to worry. It takes them about 10 weeks to bloom, but routine trimming boosts this process significantly.