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Annuals are a fantastic way to add some instant color and life to your flowerbeds. It used to be that there weren't too many choices for super-sunny places in your yards—often, marigolds were among the only options. While marigolds are certainly gorgeous flowers, advances in breeding have brought us tons of beautiful premium annuals to choose from and plant now!
Calibrachoa is a perfect full-sun flower. They look like miniature versions of classic Petunias but are available in almost any color variation you can imagine. Calibrachoas bloom like crazy and don't require deadheading, so they're the perfect low-maintenance container flower!
Evolvulous, more commonly known as Dwarf Morning Glory, is a cute miniature version of the standard Morning Glory. They also love sunny spots—the hotter, the better! They mound nicely, similar to Calibrachoa, and bloom just as profusely. They don't need any deadheading and are available in many different colors.
Angelonia is commonly called Summer Snapdragon because their tiny flowers look similar to Snapdragons. They grow on spikes that reach up to 18" tall and flower all summer long. They do love a sunny location but they need regular watering. When they are about 6" tall, you can pinch them back a bit to encourage bushier growth, but they don't require any deadheading once they start flowering. Angelonia also has a delightfully refreshing fruity scent.
Purslane is more commonly known as Portulaca and is a brilliant groundcover for sunny, hot, and dry spots. They'll work their way across a garden bed over time, making a low mat and filling in gaps with succulent leaves and pretty flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, and white—all on the same plant! Portulaca is also popular with butterflies and bees. Better yet, it doesn't require any deadheading. Portulaca is tough and highly drought-tolerant, so it doesn't need much water and will thrive in dry spots.
Lantana are among our all-time favorite summer annuals, and they’re certainly our most popular! Lantanas are beloved for their flowerheads of multiple tiny flowers, which often feature a kaleidoscope of colors on a single stem. Some Lantana varieties are downright mesmerizing, such as the coveted Lantana ‘Sunrise Rose,’ with blooms in a sunrise gradient of hot magenta, neon orange, and golden yellow. Another popular variety is Lantana ‘Lucky Flame,’ whose fiery red, orange, and yellow flowerheads look like burning candles on a mound of foliage.Lantanas are fairly tolerant of drought, but they should be deadheaded regularly to promote longer flowering and a tidier appearance.
Euphorbia Diamond Frost is a beautiful mounding annual. They have shallow and non-competitive roots, so they're an excellent addition to empty spots around your perennials. They feature the tiniest dainty white flowers that show up early in spring and last right until frost in the fall. They don't require any deadheading and add a soft, delicate texture to your flower beds.
If you've got some hot and sunny spots that need a colorful boost, stop by one of our locations or order online for curbside pickup or delivery. If you do decide to visit, please respect social distancing guidelines.
