In the world of botany, the technical definition of an annual flower is one that completes its life cycle within one year. This life cycle includes germination, growth, flowering, setting seed, and death. In the gardening world, however, this term has a little wiggle room. When it comes to flower gardening, the term "annual" is generally used to refer to plants that bloom in their first year of growth and are used in the landscape for one growing season, then removed and replaced by new plants the next year. While some popular gardening annuals do fit the technical description, such as petunias and marigolds, there are also plants that are categorized as annuals because they are grown and used that way.

While many annuals can be grown from seed, established, nursery-grown plants will fill your beds with flowers much more quickly. Established plants are often sold in flats of 18 or 24 at a very economical price. While annuals sold in flats are typically very young and small, they grow very rapidly and will fill your beds with flowers seemingly overnight.

Observe the sunlight patterns in your flower beds and plant accordingly. Some annuals require full sun, others partial sun, and still others mostly shade. Choose plants that will grow well in your beds' plus lighting conditions.

Annuals are prized for their ability to make a dramatic, colorful impact on flower gardens. Because they tend to have larger and/or more blooms and a longer blooming season, annuals are often planted in mass groupings to create large strokes of bold color. Many annual plants bloom nonstop from spring until frost, making them a very attractive choice for the gardener who wants to fill his beds with dramatic color from spring until fall.

We have annuals available in 48 ct flats, 4" and 6" pots.