Continuous Color from Spring Through Fall
Annual flowers are the workhorses of the garden world - blooming continuously from the time you plant them in spring until the first hard frost in fall. Unlike perennials that bloom for just a few weeks, annuals provide months of non-stop color and beauty. At Big John's Farm Market, we grow the majority of our annuals from unrooted cuttings, plugs and seeds right here in our greenhouses, ensuring you get the healthiest, most vigorous plants for your garden.
What Are Annual Plants?
Understanding Annuals vs. Perennials
Annual plants complete their entire life cycle in one growing season - they grow, bloom, produce seeds, and die all within a single year. This might sound limiting, but it's actually their superpower! Because they're racing to complete their life cycle, annuals bloom almost continuously, trying to produce as much seed as possible before winter arrives.
- Long Blooming Period: Flowers from May through October
- Instant Gratification: Quick establishment and immediate color
- Versatility: Perfect for containers, hanging baskets, and garden beds
- Seasonal Flexibility: Try new colors and varieties each year
- Continuous Display: Non-stop blooms throughout the growing season
- Container gardens and planters
- Hanging baskets and window boxes
- Filling gaps in perennial gardens
- Creating seasonal color themes
- Areas where you want flexibility to change designs yearly
Our Growing Process
Something Beautiful Every Season
From Cutting to Your Garden
What sets our annuals apart is our hands-on growing process. Many of our annuals, including all our geraniums, start as unrooted cuttings. We root them here using specialized systems with bottom heat, overhead misting, and grow lights. This means we've nurtured these plants from their very first roots!
- Complete Control: We oversee every stage of growth
- Superior Root Systems: Proper rooting creates stronger plants
- Climate Adapted: Grown specifically for Midwest conditions
- No Shipping Stress: Plants go from our greenhouse to your garden
- Expert Care: Daily attention from experienced growers
- Optimal Timing: Plants are ready when you need them, not when a truck arrives
Planting & Timing
When and How to Plant Annuals
Mother's Day weekend is traditionally the safe marker for planting annuals in our area. This timing avoids the risk of late spring frosts that can damage tender annual plants.
- Pansies: Can be planted earlier in spring and even in fall
- Dianthus: Handles cool weather better than most annuals
- Snapdragons: Prefer cooler spring weather
- Lantana: Thrives in hot summer conditions
- Vinca: Heat and drought tolerant
- Marigolds: Love warm weather and full sun
- Early Spring: Stick with cold-tolerant varieties
- Late Spring/Early Summer: Full selection available
- Mid-Summer: Focus on heat-tolerant varieties
- Late Summer: Some varieties available for fall planting
Size Options & Pricing
Choose the Right Size for Your Project
We offer annuals in multiple sizes to fit different projects and budgets:
Available Sizes:
- Flats: 36 plants total, or individual 3-plant sections (trays)
- 4.5-inch Pots: Individual plants, more developed
- 6-inch Pots: Larger, more mature plants
- Hanging Baskets: Pre-planted, ready-to-hang displays
- Custom Containers: Planted onsite in decorative pots, with several different plants. Just take home and set on your porch or patio.
- Choosing the Right Size:
- Flats/Trays: Best value for large plantings
- 4.5-inch: Good balance of size and value
- 6-inch: Instant impact, more developed plants
- Hanging Baskets: Immediate full display
Pricing varies by plant type and size - contact us for current pricing
Plant Selection Help
Expert Guidance for Your Specific Needs
Our knowledgeable staff helps you choose the perfect annuals for your specific conditions and goals. We consider:
Growing Conditions
- Sun vs. Shade: Matching plants to your light conditions
- Watering: Considering your maintenance preferences
- Soil Type: Recommending plants that work in your specific soil
- Climate Factors: Wind, heat, humidity considerations
Design Goals
- Color Schemes: Creating pleasing color combinations
- Height Variations: Layering plants for visual interest
- Bloom Times: Ensuring continuous color throughout the season
- Maintenance Level: Matching plants to your care preferences
Annual Varieties We Grow
We grow one of the most comprehensive selections of annual flowers in the region. Our varieties are carefully chosen for their performance in Midwest gardens and their ability to provide continuous color throughout the growing season.
Ageratum • Alternanthera • Angelonia • Argyranthemum • Bacopa • Begonia • Brachyscome • Bracteanthea • Browallia • Calibrachoa • Celosia • Coleus • Cuphea • Dianthus • Dichondra • Dorotheanthus • Euphorbia • Evolvulus • Fuchsia • Geraniums • Gazania • Gomphrena • Helichrysum • Heliotrope • Hypoestes • Impatiens • Ipomoea • Lamium • Lantana • Lobelia • Lobularia • Lysimachia • Mecardonia • Nemesia • New Guinea Impatiens • Osteospermum • Pentas • Persian Shield • Petunia • Phlox • Plectranthus • Portulaca • Salvia • Scaevola • Sedum • Setcreasea • Streptocarpella • Succulents • Sunpatiens • Supertunia • Torenia • Verbena • Vinca • Wave Petunia • Zinnia
Ageratum • Alyssum • Begonia • Celosia • Dianthus • Dusty Miller • Impatiens • Lobelia • Marigolds • Pansy • Petunia • Salvia • Snapdragons • Vinca • Viola • Zinnia
Popular Categories
- Marigolds, Zinnia, Vinca, Portulaca, Gazania
- Salvia, Celosia, Pentas, Lantana
- Wave Petunia, Supertunia, Calibrachoa
- Impatiens, New Guinea Impatiens, Sunpatiens
- Begonia, Torenia, Browallia
- Fuchsia, Lobelia, Bacopa
- Coleus, Persian Shield, Alternanthera
- Helichrysum, Dusty Miller, Plectranthus
- Hypoestes, Lamium, Dichondra
- Wave Petunia, Calibrachoa, Bacopa
- Lysimachia, Scaevola, Lobularia
- Ipomoea (Sweet Potato Vine), Verbena
- Vinca, Portulaca, Lantana
- Gazania, Gomphrena, Zinnia
- Pentas, Osteospermum
- Succulents for modern container designs
- Fuchsia for elegant hanging displays
- Angelonia for cottage garden charm
- Cuphea for hummingbird attraction
Availability varies by season. Spring offers our fullest selection, with certain varieties available throughout the growing season. Contact us for current availability.
Why Choose Our Annuals
The Big John's Difference
- Grown from unrooted cuttings, plugs and seeds for stronger plants
- Better root systems than truck-shipped plants
- Adapted to local growing conditions
- Daily care from experienced growers
- Knowledgeable staff for plant selection
- Design advice for containers and gardens
- Troubleshooting help throughout the season
- Custom planting services available
- Competitive with big box stores
- Superior quality to discount retailers
- Less expensive than high-end garden centers
- Better value than specialty nurseries
- Multiple size options
- Custom container planting
- Design consultations
- Plant care guidance
Getting Started
Ready to Add Continuous Color?
Visit our greenhouses to see our full selection of annual flowers and get expert advice for your specific project. Whether you're planning container gardens, filling flower beds, or creating hanging basket displays, we're here to help you succeed.
Planning Your Visit:
- Best Selection: Early in the season (April-May)
- Expert Help: Weekdays for personalized attention
- Bring: Photos of your planting areas, container measurements
- Ask About: Custom planting services for your containers, design advice
Current Hours: [Link to current seasonal hours]
Ready to Design?
Ask about our custom container planting service - bring your containers and we'll create beautiful combinations using our thriller, filler, spiller method!