• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Heat-Loving Annuals for the Garden and Containers

Give summer gardens and container plantings a boost by incorporating a few heat-loving annuals.

As temperatures rise, some of our spring annuals are starting to fade.  Add some summer color or replace worn out plants with these summer beauties.

Angelonia, also known as summer snapdragon, produces spikes of blue, purple, pink, mauve or white flowers. They are great in containers and garden beds. Plus, they attract butterflies and bees to the garden.

Another butterfly magnet that deer tend to resist are the pentas. These 18- to 36-inch tall plants are covered with star shaped red, lavender, pink, purple and white flowers all summer long.

Like the true zinnia, creeping zinnia, which is really a Sanvitalia, is heat and drought tolerant. This low grower produces small yellow to orange daisy like flowers with a dark purple-brown center.

A bit more information:  The list of heat and drought tolerant plants does not stop there. Celosia (cockscomb), lantana, calibrachoa, bidens, cleome, zinnia, mandevilla, pentas, and sunflowers are a more few sun-loving heat tolerant plants to consider.

Upcoming
Events & Webinars


August 6-16, 2026
Wisconsin State Fair
We Energies Energy Park, West Allis, WI
More information

August 29, 2026
Composting 102
Milwaukee Public Library - East Branch
Register here

Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Tree Planting and Care
Register here

Sept. 11, 2026
Illinois State Master Gardener Conference
Rockford, IL
Register here

Sept. 12, 2026
2026 Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Urban Ecology Center, Milw., WI
Register here

Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting

Register here

Sept. 26, 2026
Pruning Hydrangeas & Other Shrubs
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL

Oct. 6, 2026
Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference
La Crosse, WI
Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

MORE UPCOMING EVENT DETAILS 

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Sign up for Melinda's free newsletter for a chance to win a Midwest Gardener's Handbook, 2nd Edition.

ENTER NOW