As the curtain falls on the summer show of garden blooms, it's time to gear up for the fall preview. Several hardy annual varieties weather Georgia winters to keep landscapes colorful until spring arrives.

While pansies (Viola X wittrockiana) are by far the most popular hardy annual grown in Georgia, many other excellent choices fit Georgia growing conditions.

Alyssum. Lobularia maritima. A low-growing (4 to 8 inches), spreading plant, Alyssum blooms from late spring until frost. Colors range from white to rose to purple. Sow in fall.

Candytuft. Iberis umbellata. Several colors are available besides the familiar white. Plants form a mat-like habit. Annual candytuft is not as commonly used as I. sempervirens (perennial candytuft).

Calendula. Calendula officinalis (pot marigold). Varieties range from 1 to 2 feet tall. Yellow and gold predominate in the color range. A half-hardy annual, Calendula performs poorly under hot conditions but is good for early- and late-season color.

Cosmos. Cosmos sulphureus and C. bipinnatus. Ranging from 1 to 4 feet tall, Cosmos are among the easiest annuals to grow. Taller varieties tend to fall over and may need staking. C. sulphureus varieties are mostly yellow and gold and C. bipinnatus white to pink to crimson.

Larkspur. Delphinium and Consolida species and hybrids. Larkspur is an old garden favorite for providing tall, spiky effects. They're often used as cut flowers. The perennial Delphiniums usually do poorly in the Southeast, but the Larkspur types do well.

Ornamental cabbage and kale. Brassica oleracea Ornamental cabbage and kale are some of the easiest bedding plants to grow, look great throughout the cool season and are bothered by few pests. The colorful foliage also makes a beautiful backdrop for flowering plants such as pansies, violas and tulips.

Poppy. Eschsholzia californica (California poppy), Papaver nudicale (Iceland poppy) and P. rhoeas (Shirley poppy). These poppies are excellent annuals for naturalizing. Seeds are usually sown in late fall or early spring for early blooms. Many colors are available.

Snapdragon. Anthirrhinum majus. Many varieties and colors are available, ranging from 6 to 36 inches tall. The taller ones require staking. They're grown mostly as cut flowers.

Viola. Viola cornuta. Also called Johnny-jump-ups, viola is a miniature annual flower that blooms in fall. Grown in dozens of colors including, purple, yellow, white and blue, viola flowers are low-growing and reach 8 to 12 inches tall and 6 to 8 inches wide, ideal along a front flower bed or container.

For more information, check out the Clemson Extension publication Growing Annuals online.

Billy Skaggs is an agricultural agent and Hall County Extension Office coordinator. Phone: 770-531-6988, fax 770-531-3994.