Annual flowers provide reliable seasonal color in West Texas landscapes where heat, drought, and wind can limit plant choices. Unlike perennials, annuals complete their life cycle in one growing season, making them ideal for rotating color, filling gaps, and refreshing beds throughout the year.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends selecting heat-tolerant, drought-adapted annuals for best success in West Texas conditions.
What Are Annuals?
Annuals are plants that perform their entire life cycle from seed to flower to seed within a single growing season. All roots, stems, and leaves of the plant die annually. Only the dormant seed bridges the gap between one generation and the next.
Vegetable plants may also be annuals, including tomatoes and peppers.
Common Annuals in West Texas
Examples of popular flowering annuals in our area include:
- Zinnias
- Begonias
- Petunias
- Marigolds
- Coleus
- Impatiens
- Pentas
- Geraniums
- Snapdragons
- Pansies
Recommended Annuals for West Texas
Warm-Season Annuals (Spring through Fall)
- Zinnia
- Vinca / Periwinkle
- Portulaca (Moss Rose)
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
- Angelonia (Serena Series)
- Cosmos
- Sunflower
- Celosia (Cockscomb)
- Cleome
- Melampodium
- Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)
- Gaillardia (often grown as annual)
- Verbena (annual types)
- Petunia (heat-tolerant varieties)
Cool-Season Annuals (Fall through Spring)
- Pansy
- Viola
- Dianthus
- Snapdragon
- Stock
- Sweet Alyssum
- Calendula
- Larkspur
- Phlox (annual types)
- Bachelor’s Button
- Ornamental Kale and Cabbage
Good Plants for Abilene and Surrounding Area
The following annuals are recognized through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension programs (including Texas Superstar and Extension trial recommendations):
- Angelonia Serena™ Series
- Whopper Begonias
- Baby’s Breath Euphorbias
- Texas Bluebonnets
- Texas Maroon Bluebonnets
- Lady Bird Johnson Royal Blue Bluebonnet
- New Look® Celosia
- Blue Daze
- Cool Season Euphorbias
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
- ‘Allyson’ Mexican Heather
- Dakota Gold Helenium
- Larkspur
- Lobularia ‘White Stream’
- Rio Series Mandevillas
- Mari-mum
- Laura Bush Petunia
- Tidal Wave™ Cherry Petunia
- Tidal Wave™ Red Velour Spreading Petunia
- Tidal Wave™ Silver Petunia
- Butterfly Deep Pink Pentas
- Pentas
- Purslane
- Vinca Cora Series
- Fall Zinnias
Planting Tips for Success
- Most annuals require full sun (6–8 hours daily)
- Improve soil with organic matter to enhance drainage
- Water regularly during establishment
- Use mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued flowering
- Replace plants seasonally for continuous color
Final Thoughts
Annuals are a valuable tool in West Texas landscapes, offering flexibility and vibrant color throughout the year. By selecting adapted varieties and planting them at the appropriate time of year, gardeners can achieve reliable results even in challenging conditions.