Index of Half Hardy Annuals
The following selection of half-hardy (frost tender) flowering annuals are suitable for most domestic gardens and outdoor flowering displays during the summer months in the UK, and other northern temperate climates.
Most of these plants will not survive low or freezing temperatures, so they should not be planted outside until all chance of frost has passed in your area - such as the end of May in the south and the beginning of June in the north. Plants propagated indoors (under glass) will also need to be gradually hardened-off (acclimatised to outdoor temperatures) before planting out.
Ageratum
Floss Flower
Amaranthus
Love lies bleeding
Antirrhinum
Snap Dragon
Brachyscome
Swan River Daisy
Calceolaria
Slipper Flower
Calibrachoa
Million Bells
Callistephus
China Aster
Celosia
Cockscomb
Cleome
Spider Flower
Cobaea
Cup-and-saucer vine
Cosmos
Cosmea
Datura
Angel's Trumpet
Diascia
Twinspur
Felicia
Kingfisher Daisy
Gazania
Treasure Flower
Gomphrena
Globe amaranth
Heliotropium
Heliotrope
Impatiens
Busy Lizzie
Limonium
Statice
Lobelia
Bedding Lobelia
Mesembryanthemum
Ice Plant
Mimulus
Monkey Flower
Mirabilis
Marvel of Peru
Moluccella
Bells of Ireland
Nemesia
Cape Jewels
Nicotiana
Tobacco Plant
Petunia
Portulaca
Rose Moss
Annual Salvia
Annual Sage
Ricinus
Castor Oil
Salpiglossis
Painted tongue
Sanvitalia
Creeping zinnia
Schizanthus
Angel wings
Senecio Cineraria
Silver Ragwort
Tagetes
Marigold
Tithonia
Mexican sunflower
Venidium
African marigold
Verbena
Vervain
Xerochrysum bracteatum
Strawflower
Zinnia
Youth-and-old-age
Many annuals grown in the UK are actually short lived tender perennials, which are usually grown as annuals because they flourish and flower very quickly from seed (sown under protection) in spring. Many of these species will actual survive over-winter in the UK if kept in light and cool but frost free conditions.