Most annuals, if not reliably hardy, are best planted in the spring. I have made this list to help out until the traditional fall planting. Almost all of the seeds for these plants are available from Wildseed. The few remaining can be found at the many native-plant nurseries, which have sprung up all over the Southeast. All those listed are pretty. I have grown most of them either in my yard or at Oak Mountain State Park.

The above list contains relatively few flowers, largely because most of the handsomest meadow or roadside species are perennials and best planted in the fall. However, many non-native annuals are very showy and frequently planted. If using non-natives, I think cosmos are among the handsomest and safest. They don't seem to escape to natural areas, at least I have not seen them do so. Wildseed sells them. The orange and yellow varieties are very striking.

I have found that yellow, orange, and white flowers are most visible from a passing car. The blues, purples, and other cool colors do not carry as well, although they are beautiful. Very dark red does not have good visibility, but pink (as in primroses, or Oenothera speciosa) is very visible especially when contrasted with the purple of Verbena. Many perennials, such as Ironweed, are very showy and can be appreciated from autos in motion even though they are deep purple. I would be happy to discuss perennials for fall planting whenever you like.