Petunia Hedgiflora

Above: ground-cover petunias of the (silver) tidal wave variety.

One of the most popular annual plants, petunias exude a nice perfume and are often considered a staple of American gardening, from hanging baskets (grandiflora) to populating considerable swaths of hillside or lawn (hedgiflora). Many color varieties exist as well, and petunias (when provided ample sunlight and planted in soil that drains moderately well) often bloom from after frost until the end of the summer, making them extremely easy to grow and cultivate.