Top 10 Full Sun Annual Plants for Spring Color in Arlington, Texas

Spring is the perfect time to add vibrant colors to your Arlington landscape. As temperatures warm up across North Texas, choosing the right annuals can transform your yard into a show-stopping display that thrives in our hot, sunny conditions. At Handsome Lawn Service, we've compiled our top recommendations for full sun annual plants that deliver outstanding performance in Arlington's climate.

1. Lantana

Lantana is a powerhouse in Texas landscapes, producing clusters of tiny flowers in combinations of red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple. These heat-loving plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds while requiring minimal maintenance. They'll bloom continuously from spring through fall, making them an excellent investment for season-long color.

Lantana

2. Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)

Often called summer snapdragon, Angelonia produces spikes of purple, white, or pink flowers that stand tall in the garden. Their upright growth habit (1-2 feet tall) adds vertical interest, and they're incredibly heat and drought tolerant once established.

Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)

3. Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)

Vinca is the quintessential Texas summer annual. These plants feature glossy green foliage and colorful blooms in shades of white, pink, purple, and red. They're exceptionally heat and drought tolerant, making them perfect for Arlington's hottest days. For best results, wait until soil temperatures warm up completely before planting.

Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)

4. Pentas

Pentas produce star-shaped flower clusters in red, pink, purple, and white that are irresistible to butterflies and hummingbirds. These plants maintain a tidy, mounded shape and deliver non-stop blooms throughout our long growing season.

Pentas

5. Zinnia

Zinnias offer some of the brightest colors available in annuals. Available in a rainbow of hues and various heights from 6 inches to 3 feet tall, these easy-to-grow flowers provide excellent cutting options for indoor arrangements. They're also pollinator magnets!

Zinnia

6. Purslane (Portulaca umbraticola)

Not to be confused with the common moss rose, purslane features succulent foliage and vibrant flowers that open fully even in intense heat. These low-growing spreaders are perfect for borders, rock gardens, or containers. Their water-storing leaves help them sail through droughts with ease.

Purslane (Portulaca umbraticola)

7. Celosia

With unique plume-like or brain-shaped flowers in fiery red, orange, yellow, and purple, celosia adds dramatic texture to any garden. These distinctive plants thrive in our Texas heat and hold their color well into fall. Some varieties can reach 3-4 feet tall, creating impressive backdrops.

Celosia

8. Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)

Globe amaranth produces button-like flowers in purple, pink, white, or red that seem impervious to our summer heat. The clover-like blooms dry beautifully on the plant, providing long-lasting color even during drought conditions. Their rounded form creates excellent contrast in mixed plantings.

Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)

9. Cosmos

Cosmos deliver airy, daisy-like flowers on tall stems that dance in the breeze. These easy-care annuals are available in whites, pinks, and deep magentas, bringing a cottage garden feel to Arlington landscapes. They're excellent for attracting beneficial insects and make wonderful cut flowers.

Cosmos

10. Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis)

While technically a winter annual in our region, spring is when Texas bluebonnets put on their spectacular show. Our state flower creates carpets of blue that define Texas landscapes. For best results, plant seeds in fall for spring blooms, or look for transplants in early spring at local nurseries.

Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis)

Planting Tips for Success

For maximum impact with your spring annuals:

• Prepare soil with compost before planting to improve drainage and fertility

• Group plants with similar water needs together

• Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds

• Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth

• Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering

At Handsome Lawn Service, we're ready to help you select and install the perfect annual color for your Arlington property. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and bring your landscape to life this spring!