2026 Plant Preview – Annuals (Part 1)
Did you know that about two-thirds of the plants we offer are homegrown right here on the farm? Each winter, our greenhouses fill with thousands of young plants that our team carefully grows and nurtures until spring.
We asked our Greenhouse Production Manager, Erin—the person who researches, plans, orders, and schedules all of our homegrown plants—what varieties she’s especially excited about growing this year. Here are a few of the top annuals on her list for 2026:
Ageratum ‘Monarch Magic’
This one is a pollinator powerhouse.
- Specifically developed to support butterflies and other pollinators
- Trialed in our storefront planting beds last season, where both staff and customers loved it
- Thrives in full sun and handles summer heat with ease
- No deadheading required, and it keeps blooming well into fall
- Winner of the 2025 People’s Choice Award at the Penn State Flower Trials
Beginner tip: Ageratum is great for gardeners who want color without fuss. Plant it in containers, hanging baskets, or garden beds, and let it bloom all season.
Plant nerd fun fact: The soft, fluffy flowers are actually made up of tiny clustered blooms, giving them that signature “powder puff” look.
Angelonia ‘Guardian Angel Berry Sparkler’
Sometimes called “summer snapdragon,” angelonia is known for blooming through the hottest weather.
- Eye-catching purple and pink two-tone flowers
- A taller, sturdy variety, perfect as the “thriller” (centerpiece plant) in containers
- Thrives in heat and humidity
- Loved by butterflies and pollinators
Beginner tip: Angelonia doesn’t mind if you forget to water occasionally and rarely needs deadheading, making it a great low-maintenance summer performer.
Bidens ‘Bee Pink Buzz’
Bidens are typically known for their bright yellow or white daisy-like flowers, so a pink variety is something special.
- Unique pink blooms—a fun twist on a classic pollinator plant
- Compact habit, making it easy to fit into containers
- Handles sun and heat with ease
- A low-maintenance bloomer that keeps going all season
Plant nerd fun fact: Bidens are excellent nectar producers, which is why bees and beneficial insects flock to them.
Euphorbia ‘Starblast Pink’
One of our favorite “magic mixer” plants for containers.
- Creates a soft, baby’s breath–like cloud of flowers
- Features beautiful colored foliage with true pink blooms
- Adds lightness and texture to mixed containers
- Performs beautifully in garden beds too—we grew it in our storefront beds last season and loved the results
Beginner tip: Euphorbia pairs beautifully with almost anything. Plant it alongside petunias, geraniums, or lantana to soften and brighten the arrangement.
Lantana ‘Purple Falls’
Lantana is famous for its vibrant yellow, orange, and red blooms, but this purple variety has been missing from our lineup for a few years—so we’re excited to bring it back.
- A true trailing variety, perfect for hanging baskets and container edges
- Thrives in full sun and summer heat
- A magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds
- Blooms continuously through the hottest months
Plant nerd fun fact: Lantana flowers actually change color as they age, signaling pollinators which blooms still have nectar.
2026 Plant Review (Annuals) – Part 2
Melanie has been with the family garden center business since 1999, gaining hands-on experience in nearly every aspect–from cashiering and greenhouse production to bookkeeping, perennial buying, marketing, and store management. Now serving as Finance and Marketing Director, she combines her expertise with a passion for growing the business. She and her husband, Russ, have loved seeing how plants, gardening, and beautiful landscapes bring joy to our community.
