Your Guide to Growing Annual Flowers in Northern Colorado
Looking to add instant color and charm to your garden? Annual flowers are the answer! These one-season wonders bloom their hearts out from spring to fall, transforming your beds, borders, and containers into a kaleidoscope of color. At Mountain Roots, we’re passionate about helping you make the most of annuals in our unique Northern Colorado climate.
Why Choose Annuals?
Annuals complete their life cycle in one growing season—which means they put all their energy into growing fast and blooming beautifully. Whether you’re planting in containers, garden beds, or window boxes, annuals offer:
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Continuous color from planting to frost
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Flexible design options—switch up your color scheme every year
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Great companion planting for vegetables and perennials
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Pollinator appeal, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Color Themes to Try in Your Garden
Want your flower beds to really pop? Try one of these fun and eye-catching color combos:
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Bold & Bright: Zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, salvia
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Soft & Romantic: Petunias, alyssum, snapdragons, impatiens
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Patriotic: Red geraniums, white vinca, blue lobelia
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Sunset Glow: Orange calendula, coral impatiens, yellow lantana
Best Annuals for Northern Colorado Gardens
Thanks to our sunny days and cool nights, certain annuals truly thrive in our area:
Full Sun Favorites
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Marigolds
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Zinnias
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Geraniums
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Salvia
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Sunflowers
Part Shade Picks
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Impatiens
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Coleus
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Lobelia
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Begonias
Pollinator Magnets
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Lantana
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Cosmos
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Alyssum
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Verbena
Planting Tips for Success
1. Wait out the frost
Even though it feels like spring in April, hold off planting tender annuals until after Mother’s Day, when nighttime temps are reliably above 50°F.
2. Prep your soil
Mix in compost or a quality potting mix to give your annuals a nutrient boost. They grow fast and need rich, well-drained soil.
3. Feed regularly
Annuals are heavy bloomers—fertilize every few weeks with a balanced flower food to keep the color coming.
4. Deadhead often
Removing spent blooms helps redirect energy into producing more flowers instead of seeds.
Containers, Hanging Baskets & Borders
Annuals aren’t just for flower beds! Try:
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Colorful container combos on patios and porches
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Hanging baskets bursting with trailing petunias or ivy geraniums
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Edging borders with alyssum or lobelia for a neat, colorful finish
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Mixing annuals with perennials to fill in gaps and add seasonal flair
Come Shop Our Annuals!
At Mountain Roots Garden we grow and stock a huge variety of annuals suited for Northern Colorado’s climate. Whether you’re designing a vibrant front yard, building a bee-friendly flower bed, or just adding a cheerful pot to your patio, we have the plants, soil, and advice you need.
Come visit us today—your colorful garden starts here!
