Here you will find a select list of some of our favorite sun-loving annuals available at Longfellow’s throughout the growing season. For inventory status, please contact us as availability may change throughout the season.
Calibrachoa:
“Million Bells” also known as mini petunias are a popular full sun annual, that grows well in garden beds, containers or hanging baskets! Considered low maintenance, there is no need for dead-heading calibrachoa. This plant comes in a variety of colors and has a mounded yet trailing growth habit.
Dipladenia (Mandevilla):
A Longfellow favorite! Dipladenia (or Mandevilla) are sun thriving annuals, that will grow vigorously and can either trail or climb, depending on the environment. These plants produce large, tubular flowers in a variety of colors. Extremely drought-tolerant!
Geraniums:
Geraniums are one of the tried and true, classic annuals. Most commonly seen in different shades of red, geraniums come in most all colors. With proper maintenance, geraniums will thrive all summer long and into early fall.
Marigold:
Cheery, bright annuals that add a powerful color punch to your garden and are quite heat tolerant. Available in yellow, red, orange, or bicolor, some even say marigolds can keep groundhogs out of the garden. Marigolds will grow best with routine deadheading but are very easy to care for.
Ornamental Grasses:
Grasses such as Pennisetum rubrum (purple fountain grass), Prince Tut (Cyperus), or Dracaena add unique interest to gardens and container plantings. These are low maintenance plants that provide tall, focal points to the garden and pair nicely when planted alongside colorful flowers. Many grasses especially Pennisetum, provide natural movement in a light breeze, bringing motion and liveliness to a garden.
Petunias:
Petunias are vibrant and versatile, offering a wide variety of colors and flower forms. Petunias will perform best in full sun and are available in mounding and trailing forms. Many varieties of petunias no longer require dead heading, which saves gardeners much time and energy, allowing more time to sit back and enjoy the flowers. Petunias are heavy feeders, so be sure to fertilize weekly for optimal flower production and to help maintain foliage health throughout the summer.
Portulaca:
Thriving in hot, full sun and very tolerant of drought. This succulent-like annual is perfect for rock gardens, hanging baskets or containers. This is a low-growing plant that will produce an abundance of flowers with proper care and maintenance. Enjoy a variety of colors such as red, pink, orange, yellow, etc.
Scaevola:
Hot, sun loving, trailing annuals most often seen in hanging baskets and containers. These fan shaped flowers are very low maintenance, and drought tolerant. Often available in blue, pink, or white.
Sunflower:
Known best for their large blooms. sunflowers come in a range of varieties, some of which can grow over 8′ tall! There are various styles, colors, and height ranges to choose from when growing sunflowers.
Verbena:
Verbena produces abundant clusters of small flowers that are a pollinator favorite. These are also heat and drought tolerant plants and will do quite well in a hot, sunny part of your garden. Available in mounding, tall, and trailing forms.
Zinnia:
Zinnias are heat tolerant and come in a variety of colors and styles. A very popular choice for cut flower gardens, they are also a favorite for pollinators.
More notable sun-loving annuals:
Alyssum, Aster, Bidens, Cleome, Cosmos, Dahlia, Gazania, Heliotrope, Latana, Lisianthus, Salvia, Snapdragon, Stock, and Thunbergia.
