Mar-SepCalifornia Poppy
Golden cups that carpet hillsides across the state. Closes at night and on cloudy days.
Z5-10·low water
Apr-JunIndian Paintbrush
Bright red to orange bracts surround small flowers and glow across spring prairies.
Z4-9·moderate water
Apr-SepSnapdragon
Vertical flower spikes with squeeze-open blooms. Kids love them.
Z3-10·moderate water
Apr-OctSweet Alyssum
Honey-scented carpet of tiny flowers. The best living edging plant.
Z3-10·moderate water
Apr-JunSweet Pea
Ruffled, intensely fragrant climbing flowers in every pastel shade. Cool-season annual that hates heat.
Z2-11·moderate water
May-OctCalibrachoa
Mini petunias that bloom nonstop in hanging baskets. Dozens of color options and no deadheading needed.
Z9-11·moderate water
May-AugChamomile
Tiny daisy flowers with apple-scented foliage. Brew into tea or let it naturalize between pavers.
Z3-9·low water
May-OctImpatiens
The shade annual champion. Flowers prolifically where nothing else will.
Z3-10·moderate water
May-OctPelargonium
The classic window-box geranium. Ball-shaped flower clusters above scalloped leaves. Tough container staple.
Z9-11·moderate water
May-OctPetunia
Cascading color for containers and beds. Blooms nonstop until frost.
Z3-10·moderate water
May-OctWax Begonia
Glossy leaves and nonstop flowers in sun or shade. One of the most reliable bedding plants anywhere.
Z8-11·moderate water
Jun-SepBorage
Star-shaped electric blue flowers that bees go absolutely wild for. Self-sows freely.
Z2-11·low water
Jun-OctCelosia
Flame-shaped or crested flowers in electric colors that dry beautifully. Heat lovers that thrive in summer.
Z2-11·moderate water
Jun-SepCleome
Spider-flower with whisker-like stamens and airy blooms. Tall, dramatic annual that self-sows freely.
Z2-11·low water
Jun-OctCosmos
Airy, dancing flowers on thread-thin stems. Effortless cottage garden charm.
Z3-10·low water
Jun-SepFlowering Tobacco
Tubular flowers that release sweet fragrance at dusk. A cottage garden classic that attracts moths and hummingbirds.
Z2-11·moderate water
Jun-OctMarigold
Bulletproof color all season long. The workhorse of warm-toned borders.
Z3-10·moderate water
Jun-OctMorning Glory
Fast-climbing vine with trumpets that open fresh every morning.
Z3-10·moderate water
Jun-OctScarlet Sage
Electric red spikes that hummingbirds zero in on. Common bedding plant that earns its spot every year.
Z2-11·moderate water
Jun-OctTall Verbena
Wiry stems topped with purple clusters that butterflies can't resist. See-through plant for layering.
Z7-11·low water
Jun-OctZinnia
Easy-grow annual with electric colors. Cut-and-come-again champion.
Z3-10·moderate water
Jul-AugColeus
Grown for kaleidoscopic foliage, not flowers. Pinch blooms to keep energy in the leaves.
Z10-11·moderate water
Jul-SepIndian Summer Rudbeckia
Massive 6-9 inch golden daisies on a short-lived plant. Bigger and bolder than perennial black-eyed susans.
Z3-7·low water
Jul-SepSunflower
Pure joy on a stalk. Birds love the seeds, kids love the spectacle.
Z3-10·moderate water