Zinnias (Profusion or Zahara for short ones, Elegans for tall ones), scaevola, Victoria Salvia, Ornamental Peppers (Black Pearl is gorgeous), Tassel Flower, Pentas (I like the standard sized ones best: about 18 inches tall), Marigolds (Durango is excellent), and Vinca.

These are all ones that I have used again and again in my hot southern summer garden. Given decent soil and semi-regular water, they bloom from spring to fall with little care other than a mid summer cut back.

Just as a note, I often wait to start marigolds from seed in pots until the first week of July. Then I plug them into choice spots to mimic chrysanthemums in the fall. There are always some plants that are looking ratty by then. Having a couple dozen fresh blooming plants with which to replace them does a world of good.

The annual vincas are my favorite - they come in white, pink, pink-purple. They usually hit the stores around mid-April.

Any one ever tried gazanias? I got some last year and they did very well here in Alabama. They like the soil to be just a bit dry like in a raised bed, but pretty tough otherwise.

I like to plant the dark leafed begonias. Our local Chili's restaurant always plants begonias out front. I've noticed they put two plants (sometimes different colors) in the same hole to make a larger rounder plant. Also the Victoria Blue salvia is very pretty. For years I planted short marigolds with purple ageratum out near the road at my house. Also, vinca will stay till fall and also red salvia and the gold lantana love the heat.