Sunflowers
Eschscholzia californica California Poppies
Verbena bonariensis

Nicole, I just love the Tagetes Gem Marigold's, I've only tried the yellow so far, but for this year, I'm going to try the orange one. I think the orange will look good with blue wave petunias.

Sharon

Sharon,

If you want, I'll check to see if I have extra seeds of the Tagetes.

I finally did sunflowers successfully last year - The Kong turned out tall enough for the deers not to eat which made me happy.

I'll have to try the Verbena. Butterflies are increasing in population in our gardens and this one seems to be a good one for them!

I like to grow

Impatiens - mostly purple/pink varieties
Purple alyssum
Sweet potato vine....I guess but there's just so many!! :o)

I was suprised most by "Great Lakes Lettuce" was harvesting it from my container while there was still snow on the ground.My favourite annuals are:

Allysum-Carpet of Snow
Cosmos-Seashells
Marigolds-Any will do!!

Every year I try some new varieties. Thanks for the sunflower heads up, Tiffy.
These annuals are what I yearly sow outside in an unheated greenhouse in late February.
Tagetes 'Orange Gem' (for years, keep saving seed)
Ornamental Millet (")
Ageratum 'Blue Horizon' (") & will add some new varieties
Coreopsis 'Magogany Miget' (3rd yr)
Salvias - Texas sage red & a blue (")
Larkspur (2nd yr on my list to WS)
Dalburg Daisy & Veronica for hanging baskets (")
sharon (sam)

Thanks for the seed offer Nicole, but I've got them on order from William Dam Seeds, they should be in shortly.
Pretty well, I love any flower that is orange.

Yes, yes the Verbena bonariensis is great for butterflies.
Looks good in a mass planting or with mingling with other plants.

{{gwi:540906}}
Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' & Verbena bonariensis

Sharon

I really love that combo Sharon. I may have to add Verbena to my WS'ing list now! LOL

My top three can't-live-without-annual-faves would be:

Lavatera 'Silver Cup' and 'Mont Blanc'
Sunflowers (any variety -- the more the better)
Cosmos, esp. Seashells, but I love the 'Sensation Mix' too

And... marigolds, zinnias, african daisies, sweet peas, salvias, poppies (any and all types!), Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii), Stocks, Candytuft....

Ang

I'm heading towards Ageratum for border edge instead of alyssum (gets too 'leggy' for me). Easy to harvest seeds, easy to germinate.

{{gwi:375176}}

Also any BE Susans, and poppies

Last year I did mini bach buttons, asters powderpuff and some poppys....this year I have a ton of different things through trades to try...I am not sure where to put them but I'll stick them in somewhere :)
P.S can you sucessfully wintersow impatients in zone 5???

Wendy,

I usually find Alyssums too leggy as well but found one offered by Vesey's which is nice and compact - forms a little mound and looks great. I posted a link below.

Sue,

I've never tried impatients or petunias. I do have a packet of petunias somewhere in the house and am thinking of trying 1/2 the seeds by winter sowing and the other 1/2 on top of the fridge (don't have a grow-light thingy).

Here is a link that might be useful: Snow Crystal Alyssum

My 'must-haves' are Asters (about 12 inches high)
Calendula
Petunias
My forget-me-nots and giant balsam also self-sow each year.

Do you think I could sow impatiens, cosmos,alyysum now?

Narcissus,
Alyssums are certainly fine to do now. I've had more success with cosmos when doing them a bit later - more like in mid-April.

I've never done Impatients, but I would think they would be a late one, no earlier than the end of April and into mid-May.

I did Impatients, but only after last frost. They took a long time to flower (mid July). Not really worth it in our zones. I just buy half a flat to fill in those shady areas and pots under the trees. If I lived in Virginia, it would be a different story. Sometimes you just have to live with the growing season you're handed.

Sharon,

That picture is beautiful. Do those wintersown flowers (Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' & Verbena bonariensis)bloom the first year from seed?

Lisa

I have winter sown impatiens and alyssum so far. Keeping my fingers crossed. I'm in Toronto, zone 6A.

Thanks Lisa, yes, they will bloom in their first year.