Caper Spurge Hardy annual
A member of the spurge family which produces an erect, single stem with leaves held opposite one another in pairs, forming an unusual cross pattern. The green flowers, despite resembling capers, are highly poisonous and attract many species of fly which, in turn, attract predators. If wounded, all parts of the plant exude a milky, irritant sap.
Soil preference: Any
Aspect: Any
Season of interest: Spring, summer
Height and spread: Up to 1.5m × 25cm (5ft × 10in)
Companion plants: Not a great beauty but effective as a foil for more colourful plants. Its erect stance makes a pleasing contrast with more pendulous shapes including arching grasses and phormiums.
Linaria maroccana
Morocco Toadflax Hardy annual
A pretty annual whose branching stems are furnished with simple, narrow leaves, which terminate with long-lasting spikes of small, spurred ‘snapdragon’ flowers. Colours are very variable in the wild species, with pink, yellow, dusky red, white or purple, each bloom usually having a deep yellow pollen guide. Garden varieties include ‘Fairy Bouquet’ in mixed colours, ‘Fantasy blue’ and ‘Northern Lights’, which has fragrant blooms.
Soil preference: Any free-draining
Aspect: Sun
Season of interest: Summer
Height and spread: 20cm × 30cm (8in × 1ft)
Companion plants: A pretty annual to seed in a gravel garden, among low-growing grasses or to follow on from helianthemums and dwarf bearded irises.
Iberis umbellata
Candytuft Hardy annual
Often a child gardener’s first success, candytuft is an easily grown, quick-acting plant with simple leaves and branched stems which bear umbels of four-petalled, lilac, pink or white flowers. The outer petals on each umbel are larger than the inner, creating a lace-cap effect. Self sows freely in friable soil. Attractive to bees and butterflies.
Soil preference: Any
Aspect: Sun or part shade
Season of interest: Spring, summer
Height and spread: Up to 30cm × 15cm (12in × 6in)
Companion plants: Useful gap filler among the leaves of perennials which will flower later or naturalized in cottage style plantings with pinks, sweet Williams or other annuals.
Limnanthes douglasii
Poached Egg Plant Hardy annual
A remarkably versatile, wildlife-friendly, low energy plant. Produces a moisture-retaining dense carpet of vivid green vegetation and when the bright yellow and white flowers open, in late spring and early summer, they are irresistible to bees. Though annual, self-seeding will usually allow these plants to develop self-sustaining colonies.
Soil preference: Any, not too dry
Aspect: Sun or part shade
Season of interest: Spring, summer
Height and spread: 15cm × 20cm (6in × 8in)
Companion plants: Useful to plant in front of shrubs, where they will make a bright carpet, or to scatter along the front of an annual border. Limnanthes also looks handsome grown among tuft-forming grasses such as Festuca glauca.
Calendula officinalis
Marigold, Pot Marigold Hardy annual
Familiar, aromatic annual with big daisy flowers, single or double, in the yellow and orange colour range. Modern series include the dwarf ‘Citrus Cocktail’ and taller ‘Touch of Red’, whose petals have dark edges. ‘Art Shades’ are tall, traditional marigolds with orange to yellow, fully double flowers. Prone to mildew in damp years.
Soil preference: Any free-draining and fertile
Aspect: Sun, partial shade
Season of interest: Summer, autumn
Height and spread: From 15–60cm × 45cm (6–24in × 18in)
Companion plants: The hot colours are excellent to contrast with blue larkspur and annual Convolvulus or to pep up a cottage border. Also good for creating a wild meadow effect with other hardy annuals and cornfield blooms.
Annuals for scent
Reseda odorata
Mignonette, Bastard Rocket Hardy annual
R. Coates
An unassuming little plant from Southern Europe, with simple leaves and spikes of tiny greenish flowers, each with a tuft of orange stamens. The plant’s main distinguishing feature is its sweet fragrance, making it perfect to plant near an outdoor seating area. Attractive to moths and other nectar-seeking insects.
Soil preference: Any, fertile, free-draining
Aspect: Sun, part shade
Season of interest: Summer
Height and spread: 45cm × 20cm (1ft 6in × 8in)
Companion plants: Pretty among such annuals as calendulas and Nigella or perhaps in a fragrant border with roses, pinks and nicotianas.
Nemesia cheiranthus ‘Masquerade’
Half hardy annual
An odd-looking relative of the more familiar bedding plant whose branching stems bear bicoloured flowers with elongated, narrow upper petals in white, contrasting with broad, two lobed lower petals which are yellowish orange. The plant has a the rich fragrance of roasted or candied coconut.
Soil preference: Fertile but free-draining
Aspect: Sun
Season of interest: Summer
Height and spread: 30cm × 20cm (12in × 8in)
Companion plants: An interesting plant for a hanging basket, perhaps planted with golden flowered Bidens ferulifolia or with Lamium ‘Golden Anniversary’.
Tagetes lucida
Mexican Mint or Spanish Tarragon Perennial, usually grown as an annual
Differing