Our favorite annuals

Some of our favorite annuals that we’ve seen succeed year after year in the greenhouse business. These are a few stand outs that won’t disappoint!

1. Angelonia - These are a deer-resistant gem! They bloom all summer & fall in hot sunny spots with tall spike-like flowers in purple, white & pink. Hummingbirds & butterflies love angelonia as much as we do! They are the star of the show in a planter.

2. Dragon Wing Begonias - This is an all time favorite for us because they can tolerate both sun & shade, and they truly last until the first frost in fall. These plants get massive (2-3 feet tall with 5-6 inch leaves) & are an absolute show-stopper in baskets, planters and beds. They come in red, pink & white. Their little sister, whopper begonias, are also a great option.

3. Gaura - This elegant flower thrives in full sun & intense heat with little maintenance! Gaura has wispy, airy looking flowers that come in both white & pink. It is often referred to as the “whirling butterflies” plant because the delicate flowers resemble butterflies. We love to put these in planters, but they also look great in beds.

4. Lantana - These tropical- like, sun loving annuals are hated by deer & loved by hummingbirds. They are a perennial in warmer parts of the country but an annual in our zone (7a). They bloom all summer & are very low maintenance. Drought & heat tolerant! Lantana is great for baskets, planters & beds.

5. SunPatiens - Love the look of impatiens but have a sunny spot? Then Sunpatiens are perfect for you. They thrive in full, hot sun & grow up to 36 inches tall & wide (yes, 3 feet!!) These are awesome all around & once discovered, gardeners come back for them year after year. They require a ½ day or more of sun & come in many colors. These are an excellent choice for a full sun bed.