Best Annual Flowers in Michigan & When to Plant Them

So, What are Annual Flowers Exactly?

Annual flowers are plants that complete their entire life cycle in one growing season. Unlike perennials, which return year after year, annuals are planted in the spring, bloom beautifully through the season, and then naturally die off when colder temperatures arrive. Since they can’t survive Michigan’s tough winters, annuals need to be replanted each year.

That said, what they lack in longevity, they more than make up for in impact. Annuals are a favorite for adding bold seasonal color to garden beds, containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Whether you’re looking for a dramatic pop of color at the front entrance or a soft, curated display on the patio, annuals are incredibly versatile and allow for fresh, creative updates each year.

Why are Annual Flowers a Good Addition to a Landscape?

Annual flowers are one of the easiest ways to elevate a landscape with vibrant color and texture. Whether used on a grand scale in sweeping garden beds or as simple as an accent in a container or window box, they offer high visual impact with relatively low commitment.

For commercial properties, annuals can transform an otherwise unremarkable entrance into a welcoming, polished space that leaves a strong first impression, perfect for Traverse City’s busy summer months. At home, annual flowers can create a cheerful, seasonal touch that greets guests with beauty and intention. Their flexibility means you can refresh your landscape design every year, choosing new color palettes, plant combinations, or layout styles that reflect your taste and the evolving season.

Popular Annual Flowers in Michigan

Michigan’s summer season offers the perfect opportunity to showcase stunning annual flowers. Whether you’re designing bold container displays or refreshing landscape beds, these popular varieties bring beauty, texture, and pollinator appeal from spring through frost. Here are some of the top performers we recommend:

Petunia- Supertunia Series

Supertunias are a standout hybrid of traditional petunias, prized for their vigorous growth and continuous blooms. These full, spreading plants grow 12-24” tall and 24-36” wide, making them perfect for both large beds and overflowing containers. Plant them in part to full sun and space them about 18 inches apart for best results. With lush green foliage that holds up from spring through hard frost, Supertnias are also heat- and drought-tolerant, low maintenance (no deadheading needed), and available in a wide array of colors to match any design and color palette. They’re also a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds.

Calibrachoa- Million Bells or Superbells

Often mistaken for miniature petunias, Calibrachoa varieties offer a cascade of bell-shaped blooms in a wide range of colors, including eye-catching double blooms that appear like a flower within a flower. Growing 6-12 inches tall and spreading 12-24 inches wide, they’re perfect for containers and hanging baskets. Plant in part to full sun and space 8-12 inches apart. These long-blooming plants hold their green foliage beautifully into fall, attract pollinators, and are impressively heat- and drought-tolerant. Like Supertunias, they don’t require deadheading, making them a low-maintenance favorite.

Begonia

A reliable and beautiful bloomer, Begonias are an excellent option for versatile color. With sizes ranging from 8-12 inches tall and wide, depending on variety, they thrive in both sun and shade. Their continuous blooms and attractive green foliage persist well into fall. Begonias are low-maintenance, don’t need deadheading, and attract bees and butterflies, making them a solid choice for containers and garden beds alike.

Coleus

For striking foliage with endless variety, Coleus is unmatched. While it doesn’t flower in a showy way, the vibrant leaf colors and patterns, ranging from bold reds to lime greens to deep purples, make it a standout in both sun and shade. Most grow 18-24 inches tall and wide, though miniature versions are available. Coleus provides color from spring to frost, resists deer, and requires little maintenance. It’s excellent for landscape beds or containers where unique plant leaves can shine.

Other Standout Annuals

Looking to add even more texture and variety? Consider these additional Michigan-friendly options:

• Angelonia- spiky blooms, great for sun and heat
• Geranium- classic beauty with long-lasting blooms
• Verbena- delicate flowers with strong summer performance
• Lantana- excellent heat lover with bright clusters of blooms
• Imatiens- perfect for shade and color-packed spaces
• Salvia- pollinator magnet with vertical interest
• Daisies and Dahlias- cheerful, full-flower heads that create instant appeal
• Ornamental Grasses- for added movement, height, interest, and texture, try browsing Graceful Grasses from Proven Winners for ideas.

When to Plant Annual Flowers in Traverse City, MI

In Northern Michigan, timing is everything when it comes to planting annuals. Because Traverse City falls within USDA Hardiness Zones 6a to 6B, it’s important to wait until the risk of frost has passed before planting tender annuals outdoors.

Typically, the safe window for planting annuals begins around mid-to-late May, once overnight temperatures consistently stay above 50. Planting too early, even if the days are warm, can stress young plants and stunt their growth, especially if a late frost rolls in. If you’re eager to get a jump on the season, you can start by placing cold-tolerant containers out during the day and bringin them in at night, or rely on professionals to monitor the weather closely and protect early plantings if needed.

By planting at the right time, you’ll set your annuals up for long-lasting color and performance, from spring’s first blooms all the way through Northern Michigan’s crisp fall days.

Is it Worth it to Partner with a Pro for Annual Flower Installation in Grand Traverse and Leelanau County, MI?

While planting annual flowers might seem like a simple DIY project, and it can be, there is a real art and science to getting it just right, especially if you want your landscape to look cohesive, thrive throughout the season, and turn heads.

Professional landscapes take all the guesswork and backbreaking labor off your plate. They understand which annuals will perform best at your specific property, depending on soil conditions and light exposure. More importantly, they can create a thoughtfully designed layout where colors, heights, textures, and bloom times all work together beautifully.

Beyond design expertise, professionals also have access to a wider variety of premium-quality plants. These are not tired, over, or underwatered flowers you’ll find baking in a retail parking lot. Instead, they come directly from trusted nurseries, where they’ve been nurtured for health and longevity, giving your landscape a stronger and more vibrant start.

From timing the plantings perfectly to handling every detail with care, the team at TruNorth would love to help ensure you get the most out of your annual flower investment and your outdoor space.

Ready to get started with annual flowers at your Northern Michigan home? Contact us today!