There are so many fantastic annuals to choose from so we are presenting our favorites, the ones we think you'd enjoy in your garden!
The colorful punch from this sun loving annual comes from the foliage rather than flowers. It is a bit cold sensitive in early spring so we generally don’t have them for sale until late May. Then wow they grow fast reaching 3-5’ tall! They are also easily grown from seed, best started indoors, under lights in mid-late April.
Calibrichoas have replaced Petunias in popularity for hanging baskets. They require far less fertilizer while offering a wider range of colors. There is a varied range of growing habits from the large "Superbells" series, mounding "Callie"series and the low "Trailing" series. Flower styles can be single or double, solid colors or with a contrasting eye. They combine superbly with sweet potato vine, bacopa and much more.
We love annuals that plant themselves for next year! Cosmos are very easy to grow and are great cut flowers too! They bloom early summer to frost. In the fall they always drop seeds that will come up the following spring. Watch for feathery seedlings where your Cosmos once grew. (Cosmos 'Sonata Carmine' pictured)
This is a fantastic filler that flowers all summer with minimal fertilizing. The red bat-faced flowers have a wonderful contrasting throat and attract hummingbirds. It thrives in full to part sun and reaches 10-12" tall. Combines great with Purple Fountain Grass, Bidens and Sweet Potato Vine.
My what a beauty! A recent cross between our familiar foxglove and its Canary Island cousin. Brilliant spires of salmon and apricot flowers reach 3-5’ in a single season. Blooms non-stop May-frost. It may even overwinter in a mild season. Combines well with just about anyting too! Available at the nursery April-July.
This annual offers an elegant focal point to any design. Spikes of long, pendant white flowers are fragrant on warm evenings. This Nicotiana reaches 5' tall and 2-3' wide. It thrives in full to part sun with minimal to average water. Sometimes this Nicotiana will come back for another year of beauty, or it may reseed.
Not only do we love the name of this plant - Peppy - but it’s so darn cute too! Slender green leaves have a darker green stripe down the middle and resemble green beans. Since it is a succulent it loves sun, heat and little water. Grows 8-12” tall. Keep in a pot and bring indoors in winter to keep it going for multiple years! Combine with other succulents, grasses or strawflower. Available at the nursery May-September.
This new petunia is a rich black that has a luminous sheen giving it the appearance of velvet. Its siblings 'Phantom' and 'Pinstripe' have various presentations of black and white. 'Black Velvet' is very fun in hanging baskets when combined with a contrasting bright color like chartreuse or red.
A soft, feathery, pink flower that loves the heat. Native to Australia, this plant will thrive in drought situations. Combines well with succulents, Portulacca and grasses. Grows 1-3’ tall 2-3’ wide. Generally available late May-August.
A fantastic blue for hot sunny areas. Not only does this beauty withstand drought, but it also attracts hummingbirds. Grow 8-12” tall, spilling 10-14” long. Typically available April-June.
These darling, small flowered Zinnas really pack a punch with non-stop flower production. They come in a wide color range from white to orange and bloom June to frost. Growing 12" tall and wide they make great fillers in containers and edging for beds.
Zinnias are low maintenance, self-cleaning and mildew-resistant. They are best planted in full sun after all danger of frost has passed.
Annuals are planted every year and provide color summer till frost. Many annuals can be wintered over indoors or reseed outdoors providing extra value to their flower power!
