Yes, it's been a banner year for annuals. For me, the highlights are the tender sages I splurged on last spring - they're ridiculously happy. Wendy's Wish, a dark, dusky red, is really beautiful, and Coral Nymph is starting to look like it might become a pest - seedlings are popping up and blooming in the brick patio. Self-sown sweet alyssum is on its second generation, and Verbena bonariensis is going strong.

There are also surprise perennial come-backs, like balloon flower and lavender, which I thought were finished weeks ago, but the annuals are really stealing the show at this point.

Most of my annuals are still beautiful too. Cleome, Alyssum, Verbena bonariensis, Melampodium, and Zinnias all looking good. The Tithonia is over 8 feet tall, but getting a little ragged. Cosmos has mostly gone by. California poppy foliage looks good, but there are few blooms.

The Salvia is the highlight. A mix of Salvia 'Yvonnes', 'Coral Nymph' and 'Lady in Red'. Red, pink and white, one of my favorite color combos.

My marigolds are surviving in some areas and not in others(I pulled some out today), dahlias are doing well and also the new guinea impatients are looking good as ever!

Nice thread. I have some neglected nasturtiums in hanging baskets that don't look too bad. The whiskey barrel looks pretty good. But I've been looking at two perennial beds that are done, wishing I had some annuals for some color along the edges that are visible from the house. I'm thinking zinnias or marigolds for next year. Just want something low.

I don't do a lot of annuals--just a few in containers each year--but they're all still blooming non-stop. I always have New Guinea impatiens in a large container at the northeast corner of the house with blue lobelia tucked around them. They couldn't be happier with all the rain we've had. The ageratum & million bells/calibrachoa weren't nearly as happy this year so I'm guessing they like it hot and dry. I'm hoping to add more annuals next year once my winter sown perennials are established. Yvonne's salvia is finally blooming and looking so pretty!