Alyssum

• Requires well drained water
• Prefers full winter sun in south FL
• Maximum height approx. 6-10"
• Winter annual flower in south Florida (fall - spring)
• Not native

Sweet Alyssum is an excellent, 6 to 10" tall, low-growing plant useful for edging. The flowers are purple, white, or pink and the plants grow best in cool weather. Provide full sun and a well-drained soil. They perform best in the winter in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10 in some shade but will “melt away” during the summer. The plants are smaller on sunny sites with poor soil. UF/IFAS

Begonia Semperflorens (Wax Begonia - Winter Annual)

• Requires medium, well drained water
• Prefers partial to full sun
• Maximum height approx. 10-12"
• Winter annual flower (fall - spring)
• Not native

These little compact garden plants reach barely a foot high but provide beautiful color in full sun or partial shade locations during the winter months in southwest Florida. The flowers are available in various shades of red, pink, or white, and the shiny, large, succulent leaves are either green, or bronze-colored. It is the leaf coloration which attracts many people to this plant. Plant 12 inches apart in a bed to form a solid mass of color.

Dusty Miller

• Requires well drained water
• Prefers 4-8 hours sun per day
• Maximum height approx. 12-18"
• Winter annual in south Florida (fall - spring)
• Not native

Dusty miller is grown for its spectacular foliage: silvery-white, delicately divided leaves covered with a very soft, dense fuzz. Reaching 12 to 18 inches in height, dusty miller is ideal for neat edgings or for breaking up large masses of flower color. It can be planted in containers where the foliage can be viewed up close. Dusty miller is especially dramatic when viewed at night, the silvery leaves catching and reflecting the faintest moonlight. While the small blooms are somewhat attractive, they are usually removed to encourage leaf growth. UF/IFAS

New Guinea Impatiens

• Requires well drained water
• Prefers partial to full sunlight
• Maximum height approx. 22-24"
• Winter annual flower in Florida (fall - spring)
• Not native

Impatiens are one of the most popular bedding plants across the nation, and Florida is no exception. These cheerful, easy-to-grow annuals have bright red, orange, pink, or white flowers that attract butterflies. In South Florida, plant your impatiens in the fall to enjoy winter and spring color. North Florida gardeners should plant in the spring, after the last frost. Direct sun can be too intense for most varieties, although New Guinea impatiens thrive in winter sun (not in the hot summer sun). They look great when planted in masses, and can also be used in containers, hanging baskets, and borders. Keep in mind that impatiens spread and self-seed, so give them plenty of room to grow. When your impatiens get tired at the end of the season, you can replace them with new bedding plants. UF/IFAS

Sunpatiens

• Requires well drained water
• Prefers partial to full sun
• Maximum height approx. 24-36"
• Winter annual flower in Florida (fall - spring)
• Not native

Impatiens are one of the most popular bedding plants across the nation, and Florida is no exception. These cheerful, easy-to-grow annuals have bright red, orange, pink, or white flowers that attract butterflies. In South Florida, plant your impatiens in the fall to enjoy winter and spring color. North Florida gardeners should plant in the spring, after the last frost. Impatiens need moist, well-drained soil and at least part shade. Direct sun can be too intense for most varieties, although New Guinea impatiens thrive in sun. They look great when planted in masses, and can also be used in containers, hanging baskets, and borders. Keep in mind that impatiens spread and self-seed, so give them plenty of room to grow. When your impatiens get tired at the end of the season, you can replace them with new bedding plants. UF/IFAS

Vinca

• Requires well drained water
• Prefers full sun
• Maximum height approx. 24"
• Winter & summer annual in S. FL
• Not native

Also known as Periwinkle, Vinca grows 7 to 24 inches high and wide, forming a mound of colorful flowers in white, pink, or rosy-purple on brittle stems. Flowering is prolific throughout the warm months, although plants may establish poorly in very hot weather. The plant tolerates heat, and flowers in the hottest weather, probably better than most other flowering ground covers. Spaced 12 to 20 inches apart, plants will form a solid mass of mounded foliage and flowers 6 to 8-weeks after sowing seed, provided they are fertilized, watered lightly (or not at all), and planted in full sun. This flower will last longer than 1 season if cared for. UF/IFAS