FLOWERING annuals are the mainstay of the summer garden, providing colour and quick fixes to new and established plots.

Here's my top 10 for 2016 - some new, some heirloom or just very unusual. As a general rule, hardy annuals can be sown direct where they are to flower, while half-hardy annuals need some warmth to germinate and can't go outside until after the last frosts.

1. Triffid Pack, Novelty Pack of Fast Growing Monster Plants (HHA/HA/HHP), £5.95 from Jungle Seeds, www.jungleseeds.co.uk.
These plants grow tall and/or have huge leaves. Includes Amaranth Lotus Purple (8ft); Amaranth Giant Orange (8ft); Chenopodium giganteum (8ft); Ricinus zanzibarensis - huge leaves (15ft); Ensete ventricosum - giant banana (12ft in second year); Helianthus Kong sunflower (12ft) and Solanum quiotense - huge leaves (6ft).

2. Nigella Midnight (HA), 99p, Thompson & Morgan, www.thompson-morgan.com.
Height 55cm (22in), fern-like foliage, velvety blue flowers, and eyecatching dark purple seed pods.

3. Cosmos Hummingbird Pink (HHA), Mr Fothergill's, new and exclusive, £2.15, www.mr-fothergills.co.uk.
An ideal variety for mixed borders and patio containers. Compact plants, height and spread 45cm.

4. Antirrhinum Picasso Splash (HHA), new, Suttons, £2.79, www.suttons.co.uk.
Traditional flower type with an attractive patterning - some blooms almost red others almost lemon-yellow. Excellent weather tolerance and ideal for cutting. Flowers June-October. Height 40-50cm.

5. Zinnia Zahara Rose Starlight (HHA), new to DT Brown, £2.89, www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk.
Pure white flowers streaked with rich pink in the centre, and are drought, heat and humidity tolerant. Height: 45cm.

6. African daisy/Osteospermum Glistening White (Dimorphotheca pluvialis - HHA), Plant World Seeds, £2.70, www.plant-world-seeds.com.
From South Africa, this pure white daisy has purple reverses to its petals. Ideal for the front of the border in full sun. Height: 25-40cm.

7. Sweet pea Harrogate Gem (HA), new, Matthewman's Sweet Peas, £3, www.sweetpeasonline.co.uk.
Bred to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Harrogate Autumn Show in 2015. A stunning red with long stems and exceptionally large frilly blooms.

8. Sweet pea Candy (HA), Marshalls, £2.99, www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk.
Candy has unusual striped and speckled, chocolate maroon flowers with a solid maroon picotee edge and is well scented. Height 180cm.

9. Dahlia Mardi Gras (HHA), Plants of Distinction, £2.25, www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk.
A three colour formula blend in dark pink, white and red. The perfect bedding Dahlia beautifully matched in height and colour. Height 30cm.

10. Anagallis Blue Pimpernel (HA), Unwins, £1.99, www.unwins.co.uk.
A choice plant for hanging baskets and containers, where the intensely deep blue flowers can be fully appreciated. Height 25cm.