ANNUALS

An annual is a plant that completes its life cycle in a single growing season. Compared to perennials, which can come back year after year but are often slow growing, annuals are fast growing, which means you won’t have to wait long to see some bright color in your garden! While some are tender annuals, meaning they don’t enjoy cooler temperatures, others are hardy annuals and can thrive throughout the colder months.

Many of our favorites, like Chrysanthemums and Violas, are considered fall annuals, meaning they bloom during autumn and offer seasonal color.

We only stock in-season annuals. Please call our customer service team if there is something specific you are looking for and we will see what we can source for you. Otherwise, come visit our nursery in Bowie, Maryland to see what we currently have in stock!

If perennials come back each season, you might be wondering why one might opt for annuals. Annuals are beautiful in their own right, and because they are often fast growing, make for great filler or temporary plants in your garden. For example, in the fall or winter months, you might think you have to forgo color in your landscape due to the cold weather, but this is not the case! Pansies and Violas, for example, prefer cool seasons. So while we wait for the warmer early spring months when many perennials begin to bloom again, we can still incorporate annuals into our gardens to fulfill our seasonal color needs.

For some, committing to a perennial plant is a difficult decision (after all, they do come back!). With annuals, you can experiment with your garden and see what colors work best according to the season. If you don’t like the way one flower looks next to another, no harm done! Just replace it with a different option next time around.

While many only last a single growing season, some, like Geraniums and Calibrachoa, are able to survive indoors during winter months. The process of gathering cuttings from an annual and bringing them indoors during winter is known as “Overwintering” (see our blog–How to: Overwinter Your Annuals). For this reason, perennials are not the only gift that keeps on giving!

Annuals come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, even including some that don’t produce flowers. Non-flowering annuals include plants like Coleus, Croton, Ornamental Peppers, Caladium, and Dichondra. Although non-flowering annuals only live for one growing season and do not produce flowers, they make up for their lack in blooms with bright, eye-catching foliage.

If you are looking to add texture, color, and movement to your garden, there are many great non-flowering plants that help accentuate other flowering plants, fill hanging baskets and containers, or even border the garden beds in your landscape.

Coleus (coleus blumei) is a fast growing, non-flowering annual. Coleus can be enjoyed inside or outside, and prefers partially shaded areas.

Croton’s (Codiaeum variegatum) large green leaves, complete with orange and yellow detailing, give them a tropical feel. This plant prefers full sun, and does not enjoy cold weather.

Ornamental peppers (Capsicum annuum cultivars) offer pops of color which complement any surrounding plants. This plant prefers full sun and moist soil.

Caladium’s large, heart-shaped foliage and interesting color selection make this a great option for adding a tropical touch to your garden.

Visit Patuxent Nursery today to see our current selection of non-flowering annuals!

Among our favorite annuals are delicious vegetables and herbs. Veggies like Beets and Brussels Sprouts, along with herbs like Sage and Lavender, can be grown from our very own gardens! Growing delicious vegetables and herbs is easier than it sounds and a great way to save money and be more environmentally conscious.

Beets are loved for their bright, bulbous roots and leafy greens. Plant beets deeper in the soil and and water weekly for best results.

Forget what everyone’s told you, brussels sprouts rule (especially when oven-roasted or air fried). This veggie grows along a stalk and looks almost like a bell when ready for harvest.

Mint is beloved for its refreshing aroma and soothing taste. Many use this herb in teas, desserts, and within their baking. To grow your own food, consider mint!

Sage leaves are a beautifully muted green and soft to the touch. Like most culinary herbs, this one has a delightful aroma and can be used in many recipes.

Visit Patuxent Nursery today to see our current selection of vegetables and herbs!

At Patuxent Nursery we carry a wide variety of annuals. Stop by today and take

a look at what’s currently available!

Have a question for our annuals department?