Top 5 Annuals for the West

­This hardy plant has been around for millennia, and its many varieties blossom (and smell great) in full sun. There are more than three varieties of salvia growing in today's gardens, but two of the most inspiring are those with red and blue blossoms. Red salvia, which is also known as the "red hot Sally," can be grown from New Orleans to New Mexico, and when blossoms are wilting, pinching the dying blooms off of the plant -- a practice called deadheading -- will allow it to keep on flourishing (this also works for the other varieties) [source: Tucker]. Actually cutting the plant down will force it to grow back, and with each cut, expect more blossoms for color throughout the season.

For growing this "sage" plant, there are few things to keep in mind. Because the plant doesn't do well in cool spots, make sure it has full sun and lots of water at least once a week after the roots have had a chance to establish themselves. Just don't overwater them! Your salvia will grown to about a foot ( 1/3 m) high, but if you want bigger plants, there are varieties that reach 20 inches (1/2 m) or more [source: Garden Guides].

Able to withstand both drought and deer, this shrub blooms in a variety of colors, welcomes butterflies and comes from­ the subtropical regions of North and South America. If you want to add a lot of color and a substantial space-filler to your yard or hedges, lantana is the plant that can handle that.

This shrub is a relative of verbena. And for a plant that can turn into a big, bushy mound of blossoms and butterflies, Lantana is a quick and easy grower with plenty of bang for your buck. With some plants reaching heights of 6 feet (1.83 m), one of Lantana's many varieties is sure to fit into your landscape quite well.

When planting this annual, choose a spot that will drain well and stay warm. And besides attracting butterflies, this broad-leafed plant is a perfect border-patrol plant that will repel deer from your yard as easily as any chemical might do [source: Borders and Beyond].

Though deer might normally "help" in the trimming of your shrubs, since they're not fond of this plant, you'll have to trim it yourself. Just like salvia, once it is cut back, lantana will grow vigorously again, and because it can grow so large, you may need to cut it back frequently. Don't worry about trimming off a lot of the plant -- it can be cut down to a third of its size and still come back rapidly.

­Lantana is a very drought resistant and strong plant, which makes it perfect for tough climates. But under certain conditions, this plant isn't without problems. One of the problems this a­nnual (and sometimes perennial) plant has when planted in shady areas is mold. This is why you need to make sure it's habitat is well drained and not over watered [source: Texas Cooperative Extension].

­Their yellowy-orange color and strong roots make this young poppy a solid choice for the home owner with a gravelly garden. New varieties are currently being developed but for now poppies are not yet available in a variety of colors.

It's been more than 100 years since the "Golden Poppy" took the title of "State Flower" for California, and because of its beauty and ability to withstand the sometimes harsh heat of the state, it's no surprise that this plant is one of the top 5 annuals for the West. What c­an be surprising, however, is that this plant, which is considered an annual, can also pop up again next year, uninvited and completely unexpected. That makes it a perennial too. But if you do want to see these flowers pop up again next year, be sure to save a few seed pods from this year's plants and spread them over the land you'd like to set aglow for next year. This plant will grow with little care, and can handle the worst of terrain [source: Christman].

The California Poppy has earned the plant the nickname of "flame flower.­" If you truly want to set your yard ablaze with some instant, easy color, this plant is hard to beat [source: California State Library]. Blossoms are 2-3" (5-6 cm) in diameter, and usually grow about a foot high (about 1/3 m), although hybrid species (which don't necessarily like hot weather) can grow to be nearly as tall as an average-sized person.

When choosing a place for your poppies, it's best to remember that this flower came from sandy rocky areas like the Mojave Desert and the embankments of California dunes, so it's best to leave those shady soft spots for other plants who can't handle extremes.

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­The picture perfect Sunflower enters many daydreams of sunny summer days. This strong plant grows up to 15 feet high and blooms in reds, whites and yellows. A favorite in many western states already, it is sure to fit right in with any other type of sun-loving annual.

Throughout the years, sunflower hybrids have hit the market with lots of bright colors, but for giant ­sunflowers that capture the imagination and spark images of sunny summer ­roads and long days,­ the traditional yellow "sun" of the sunflower is your best bet for big blossoms. Known as "seed heads," these giant blossoms host the seeds that will lead to next year's crop. If you have a particularly large and lovely blossoms saving seeds (just like the pros do) might bring back look-a-likes of this flower next year [source: Formiga].

To give your sunflowers the best chance to grow, make sure they get six to eight hours of sun a day. They're called sunflowers for a reason, you know. Plant in a well-drained area, and if you can add some sort of nutrient and fertilizer to the soil, all the better. Sunflowers will use a lot of nutrients throughout the season, so giving them a healthy dose of it at the beginning will be just as beneficial as adding more nutrients later on.

The sunflower has been documented as a source of dye, oil, medicine and food, among other things. When Native Americans wanted a flavored drink, they boiled the hard, outer shell of the seeds (known as hulls) to brew something resembling coffee. Rope and building materials were made from the plant's woody stalks [source: Caster]. You might not be able to build a house from your stalk, but you can certainly enjoying a handful of tasty and nutritious sunflower seeds. ­

­Orchid-like yet hardier, this snapdragon-like plant is a favorite of many. With stalks that can reach 2 feet (61 cm) in height or more (with lots of heat) and more than 30 species on today's market, this plant is a natural mix for your hot-weather garden. Although growth habits will vary by species, you should make sure your angelonia has lots of sunlight and lots of space -- up to 16 inches (41 cm) from other plants is just about right. This plant will do well as a clipping starter by trimming a bit and replanting. With­ proper care, you should be able to get Angelonia all year long. Angelonia likes warm weather, and expecting it to do well in a greenhouse can sometimes lead to trouble [source: Schoellhorn].

Some of the varieties include:

Now that you have a handle on annuals for the­ Western way, plan your diagram and dig in! One of the best ways to plan for a hot-weather garden is to know your terrain and plan for it. Knowing that some plants like shade or soft soil can help you decide where to plant, and what to put there. Using our guide to the Top 5 Annuals for the West will help you in that, but one of the best ways to see what grows (and how well it fairs) in your area, is to check out the yards and professionally-done landscapes around you.