2026 Plant Preview – Annuals (Part 2)
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 more of the top annuals on her list for 2026:
Jamesbrittenia Safari Series
(Safari Dawn, Safari Dusk, Safari Lava Flow)
If this plant is new to you, you’re not alone—Jamesbrittenia is one of those under-the-radar performers that deserves a lot more attention. Think of it as a heat-tough cousin of bacopa, but with more resilience during hot, humid summers.
The Safari series has been gaining buzz in the horticulture world lately, and Safari Dusk was even named “Annual of the Year” for 2026.
Why we love it
- Long blooming from planting until frost
- Heat and humidity tolerant (huge win for mid-summer containers)
- Softly mounding and trailing habit perfect for combos and baskets
- Pollinator friendly—bees and butterflies visit the small tubular blooms
Gardening tip: Jamesbrittenia performs best in containers with excellent drainage and at least part sun to full sun. It’s surprisingly drought tolerant once established but still appreciates consistent moisture.
Plant nerd fun fact: Jamesbrittenia is native to South Africa and is closely related to Sutera (bacopa). Breeders have been working for years to find varieties that bloom continuously without cycling out in summer heat, which is exactly what the Safari series does so well.
Petunia Slingshot Purple Fantasy
This petunia made an impression in our trials last summer. The blooms have a striking purple pattern that adds instant personality to containers and baskets.
Why we love it
- Tight, mounded habit that fills containers beautifully
- Unique purple patterning that pops from across the patio
- Season-long flowering performance
- Great for baskets, patio pots, and mixed containers
Gardening tip: Petunias are heavy feeders. For the best performance in containers, fertilize every 1–2 weeks with a liquid fertilizer to keep the plants branching and blooming all season.
Plant nerd fun fact: Modern petunia breeding focuses heavily on stable bloom patterns and weather tolerance. The Slingshot series was developed to keep its color pattern consistent even during heat and humidity.
Petunia Headliner Strawberry Picotee
If you love petunias with personality, this one is a showstopper. The blooms feature rich strawberry-pink tones with a crisp white picotee edge, creating a bold contrast that really shines in containers.
Why we love it
- Large, eye-catching blooms
- Well-branched, mounding habit
- Great for hanging baskets and mixed containers
- Bright colors designed to stand out from a distance
Gardening tip: If your petunias start looking tired mid-summer, give them a light trim (about 20%) and follow up with fertilizer. They’ll rebound quickly with fresh growth and another flush of flowers.
Plant nerd fun fact: The term “picotee” refers to flowers with a contrasting edge around the petals—a classic ornamental breeding trait that dates back centuries in many garden flowers.
Ipomoea ‘Shadowstorm’ (Sweet Potato Vine)
Foliage plants are the secret ingredient in great container design—and this one is a standout. ‘Shadowstorm’ features dramatic purple-black leaves splashed with green, creating a camouflage-like pattern that instantly adds texture.
Why we love it
- Bold variegated foliage with dark purple and green tones
- Compact, tidier growth than traditional sweet potato vines
- Excellent contrast plant for containers and baskets
- Adds texture even when flowers aren’t the focus
Gardening tip: Sweet potato vines grow fast. If they start taking over a container, don’t be afraid to trim them back—they respond well to pruning and will quickly regrow.
Plant nerd fun fact: Sweet potato vines used in containers are actually ornamental forms of the edible sweet potato species (Ipomoea batatas). While technically edible, they’re bred for foliage rather than flavor!
If you love discovering new plants as much as we do, stay tuned—our greenhouse team still has more favorites to share for 2026. With spring just around the corner, the greenhouses are filling up quickly—and we can’t wait to share what’s growing!
Looking for Part 1 of the 2026 Plant Review (Annuals)?
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.
