Hanging Abutilon plant

The technical definition of an annual is a plant that lives for one year, sets seed, and then dies. In reality, most people include in this category a wide range of tender perennials (perennials not hardy in our zone, but hardy further south) as well as tropical plants that grow in Florida, the islands , Mexico and South America. At Natureworks, we gladly embrace all of these categories to offer an exciting and broad selection of plants in our “annual” department.

Annuals have come a LONG WAY in the last 20 years! Advances in breeding have given us Proven Winners, Wave Petunias,  and other brands that have been chosen for today’s busy lifestyles. All provide easy care and long blooming over many months.

Our goal at Natureworks is to broaden your horizons and constantly introduce you to many unusual annuals for your container gardens and flower beds.  During our garden walks and in our free workshops, we constantly talk about and demonstrate how to use these exciting plants in your garden designs.  Visit often during the growing season as our selection is constantly changing.

Here are just a few examples of some of our favorite annuals:

Annuals for cut flowers

Ageratum houstonianum- a tall version of blue or white Ageratum with 2-3’ long stems for cutting.

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherry Brandy’- shown here, a fabulous new color, 16-20” tall stems are topped with deep, cherry red daisies all during the hot summer months.

Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’- shown here, this amazing globe amaranth was introduced by Ball Seed Company. It has brilliant fuchsia pink branched stems up to 3’ tall covered with rounded globes  of flowers. Perfect for cutting AND drying, one of the most profuse blooming annuals ever grown in our gardens.

Early spring, cold tolerant annuals

Nemesia- blue, peach, pink, and bicolor flowers marry beautifully with pansies. 

Diascia- this amazing annual starts in early April and keeps on blooming until November! Many exciting colors including rich shades of coral and salmon.

Annuals that attract hummingbirds

Cuphea- called the firecracker plant, tubular and flaring flowers of brilliant red, orange, and hot pink are always visited by hummingbirds.

Salvia coccinea ‘Lady in Red’- delicate spikes of fire engine red flowers on 20” plants assure a steady stream of hummingbirds. Self seeds easily, will become one of your easiest and most welcome annuals!

Annuals that attract butterflies

Lantana- is a pungent annual that is completely deer proof and thrives in extremely hot conditions. Ideal for terraces and seaside borders.

Pentas-Egyptian stars are actually tropical shrubs commonly found in Florida. Large clusters of red, pink, or white flowers are magnets for butterflies.

Drama queens to turn heads!

Leonotis leonurus- Lion’s mane has bright orange, velvety flowers in whorls atop 3-4’ stems.  It is in its glory in the fall. One of the most asked about annual plants that we sell!

Salvia splendens ‘Van Houttei’- shown here, blooming in late summer and fall (until very late in October, through many frosts), this plant grows 5-6’ tall. It is topped with deep burgundy red flower spikes.

Fragrant annuals

Nicotiana sylvestris-Flowering tobacco has white tubular flowers that open in the evening and emit an intoxicating perfume.

Shrimp Plant in decorative container from Campania International

For pictures and descriptions of annuals, tropicals, and tender perennials that we carry, link to the following websites:

http://www.bedsandborders.com/pdf/BB_Catalog_2011.pdf

http://www.sunnyborder.com

http://www.landcraftenvironment.com