• Tall, majestic sunflowers.sunflower close up image by Chef from Fotolia.com
  
  Many varieties of annuals require little water. These drought-resistant flowers are low maintenance, but still bring beautiful color and texture to every garden. Because annuals have small root systems that do not require a lot of water, they are excellent drought-resistant plants.
  
  

Dusty Miller

• The Dusty Miller annual features silver, wholly foliage that grows up to 24 inches tall. Able to stand temperatures down to zero degrees Fahrenheit, the Dusty Miller does well in full sun and well-drained soil. This fern-like annual does well receiving only whatever rainfall Mother Nature brings that year. Dusty Miller is an annual plant up to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zone 8. In zones 9 to 10, this plant can be grown as a perennial.
  
  

Marigold

• Marigolds thriving in the garden.marigolds image by Jeffrey Zalesny from Fotolia.com
  
  Marigolds are annuals with colored flowers ranging from yellow, red, white, maroon, and orange. This annual grows 8 to 16 inches in height, with some varieties, like the African marigold, that grow up to 40 inches. Marigolds make great container plants and border edging for gardens. Requiring full sun and well-drained soil, this drought-resistant annual will bloom all through summer into fall.
  
  

Moss Rose

• The Moss Rose is an annual that thrives in hot, dry climates. With bright flowers that resemble the rose and short, needle-like leaves, Moss Rose annuals can live where water is scarce and still bring beauty to any container or garden. Growing only up to 8 inches in height, the Moss Rose plant is great for borders or edging. This annual requires full sun and does well in a host of soils.
  
  

Geranium

• The common geranium annual comes in a variety of colors ranging from pink, white, and red. With round, fuzzy leaves and big flower bunches, the geranium adds color and character to any low-water garden. Geraniums grow up to 3 feet in height and are able to thrive in partial shade, along with full sun. This annual has a blooming period of late spring to early fall.
  
  

Salvia

• The Salvia plant has silvery green foliage and purple-blue flowers growing on the plant's long stems. This is a compact annual, and it grows well along walkways and borders. The Salvia annual grows up to 24 inches in height and blooms from June to October. This annual requires full sun and well-drained soil. The Salvia plant is a magnet for butterflies, hummingbirds and bees, and is an excellent annual to use for cut flowers.