Spring Annuals are garden plants that grow and bloom in a single year. These plants are planted in the Spring, and bloom gracefully through Summer and ideally up until the first Frost. Spring Annuals are perfect for adding life to gardens and outdoor spaces and are often used in containers, borders, and hanging baskets.
Annuals are also popular with gardeners who want to experiment with different combinations of colors and textures in their gardens. In the Upstate of South Carolina, because there are two distinct seasons, we offer both Spring/Summer Annuals discussed here, and Fall/Winter Annuals on the linked page. Also, be sure to check out our guide for Preventing & Prosecuting Common Spring Pests.
Martin Garden Center sells approximately 100,000 spring annuals each year. Our most popular spring annual plants include Caladium, Calibrachoa (Million Bells), Coleus, Dragon Wing Begonia, Geranium, Lantana, New Guinea Impatiens and SunPatiens, and Petunia. We offer both 4″ patented varieties of annuals and 4″ and flats of non-patented varieties. Our spring annuals include, but are not limited to, the following:
Spring & Summer Annuals
- Ageratum
- Angelonia
- Bacopa
- Begonia (Dragon Wing)
- Begonia (Wax Leaf)
- Bidens
- Blue Daze
- Brachyscome (Swan River Daisy)
- Bracteantha (Strawflower)
- Bridal Veil
- Browallia
- Caladium
- Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
- Celosia
- Coleus
- Cosmos
- Cuphea
- Dahlia
- Dichondra
- Diascia (Twinspur)
- Dusty Miller
- Euphorbia
- Fuchsia
- Gazania
- Geranium (Pelargonium)
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
- Helianthus (Sunflower)
- Helichrysum
- Ipomoea (Sweet Potato Vine)
- Lantana
- Laurentia (Isotoma Axillaris)
- Lobelia
- Lobularia (Sweet Alyssum)
- Lophospermum
- Marigold
- Melampodium
- Mezoo (Livingstone Daisy)
- Nemesia
- New Guinea Impatiens
- Osteospermum (African Daisy)
- Pentas
- Petunia
- Plumbago
- Portulaca (Purslane, Moss Rose)
- Potato Vine
- Salvia (Sage)
- Scaevola (Fan Flower)
- Stock (Matthiola incana)
- SunPatiens
- Swedish Ivy
- Torenia
- Thunbergia (Black-eyed Susan Vine)
- Verbena (Upright & Trailing)
- Vinca
- Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina)
- Zinnia
More About Annuals
One of the benefits of planting Annuals is that they are often fast-growing and will bloom quickly, adding instant color and vibrancy to gardens and outdoor spaces. They are also relatively easy to grow and care for, making them an ideal choice for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. However, once Annuals have completed their life cycle, they will die off, and the gardener will need to replant them the following season. In the Upstate, we have a spring/summer season and a fall/winter season. The spring/summer season annuals are planted after the last frost date in the spring, and the fall/winter season annuals are planted to replace spring season annuals after first frost causes die off or after they become exhausted after an entire blooming season.
Annuals are heavy feeders and require regular fertilization to keep vigorous blooming. Martin Garden Center recommends three approaches a 6-month slow-release feed provided by Fertilome Garden Cote 6 for lazy people, the Fertilome Premium Bedding Plant Food every 30 days, or Jack’s Blossom Booster plant food every or every other time you water. Sometimes, a combination approach works best.
Annuals come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and shapes, making them perfect for creating a variety of garden designs. We prescribe the Thriller, Filler, Spiller approach to containers at Martin Garden Center. Often, the thriller, filler, and spiller provide the texture to make stunning mixes in containers. Annual plants can be grown in various containers, from traditional pots and urns to hanging baskets and window boxes. They are a great way to add color and interest to small spaces, balconies, and patios.
However, it is important to note that while annuals are relatively easy to grow, they have some limitations. Because they only last for one season, they may not be the most cost-effective option for gardening on a budget. Additionally, some varieties of annuals require more care and attention than others, so it is important to do your research before choosing which plants to grow.