Zone 6 Annual Plants

Snapdragon

• Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is grown as an annual in all of the United States. Snapdragon comes in four varieties: tall, 1 to 2 feet; intermediates, 1 to 2 feet; bedding, 6 to 15 inches; and rock garden hybrids, up to 6 inches tall. The flowers come in various shades of red, orange, yellow, maroon, pink, salmon, lavender, purple and white. Plant snapdragons in full sun and in soil that is slightly acidic.

Madagascar Periwinkle

• Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is grown as a perennial only in USDA zones 9 to 11. In zone 6 is it grown as an annual. The plant produces glossy green leaves measuring from 2 to 3 inches long. The tube-shaped flowers have five petals, grow to 1 inch long and 1-1/2 inches wide and come in rose pink, pink, red, purple and white flowers. Madagascar periwinkle needs poorly fertilized soil. If the soil has too much fertilizer, there will be fewer flowers. Plant the flowers in full sun or partial shade. The plant will re-seed itself if it is planted in loose soil.

Orange Cosmos

• Orange cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) is a member of the daisy family. The plant grows 1 to 7 feet tall with bowl-shaped yellow to orange flowers that measure 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Plant orange cosmos in full sun and in well-drained soil. The plant is an annual and grown only in zones 5 to 10. The plant reseeds itself if the seeds fall onto bare soil, so keep the grass away if you want flowers the next year without having to do the seeding yourself. Cosmos is a favorite flower of butterflies.

Impatiens

• Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) is also known as touch-me-not, jewel weed and sultana. The plant is grown as a perennial in the hottest tropical-like areas and as an annual in zone 6 and other cooler zones. Impatiens forms low mounds from 8 to 24 inches tall and about the same in width. The flowers come in nearly blue, deepest red, salmon, orange, pink, white, striped, speckled and bicolor, and in single and double varieties. Plant in partial shade and in soil that is moist, well-drained and fertile. Hummingbirds will come by for a drink of nectar.