By Karen Kottkamp, Garden Curator
What Are Annuals?
Annuals are plants that complete their entire life cycle in a single growing season. From seed to flower to seed again, they give us their all in just a few months—making them the perfect choice for bold, beautiful seasonal displays.
Why Do We Plant Them?
Annuals allow us to refresh the garden with new textures, colors, and combinations every spring and fall. They provide seasonal interest and help us create dynamic displays that evolve throughout the year. Whether it’s a punchy pop of caladiums or a soft drift of salvia, annuals are key to creating that “wow” factor.
When Do We Plant Them?
Timing is everything. We wait until after April 15th—our region’s last average frost date—to safely plant our spring annuals. Any earlier, and we risk losing them to a cold snap.
How Do We Prepare for Planting?
Planting spring annuals starts with clearing the stage. Our team removes the fall annuals, weeds the beds, and preps the soil to ensure a healthy foundation for the new plants. It’s a labor of love, but the results are well worth the effort.
Where Can You See Them?
You’ll spot our spring annuals in some of the most beloved corners of the garden, including:
Canal Garden, the Guest Pavilion Front Entrance, Orchid Conservatory Foundation Beds, White Garden, Lost Hollow Display Pots and throughout a variety of other containers across the property.
Who Plants Them?
It’s a true team effort! Our incredible Horticulture staff leads the charge, with help from dedicated volunteers and non-horticulture staff members. It’s all hands on deck to bring our annual beds to life!
How Many Did We Plant?
Over 5,000 annuals in just a few days! Come see what’s blooming! Whether you’re here for a peaceful walk or to snap the perfect spring photo, our seasonal annuals are ready to dazzle.
Left photos by Karen Kottkamp, right photos by Jams Ballbach
