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Now is the perfect time to breathe fresh color and life into your outdoor space! With warm days and cool nights, this is prime planting season—and local greenhouses are bursting with vibrant blooms just waiting to brighten up your patio, porch, or backyard nook.

Below you’ll find annual flowers that will perform well in your space all summer long, a few local greenhouse recommendations in the greater Madison and Milwaukee areas and some key gardening tips and tricks to keep up your sleeve.

Six high-performing annuals to keep your garden blooming.

1. Petunias

Petunias are a staple in container gardening, known for their vibrant colors and trailing habit. They thrive in full sun and bloom profusely from spring until the first frost. Varieties like ‘Wave’ and ‘Supertunia’ are particularly popular for their spreading nature and continuous blooms.  I have two purple Petunia hanging baskets out on my front porch this summer.

2. Marigolds

Marigolds are hardy annuals that add a cheerful touch to any garden. They are known for their pest-repellent properties, making them excellent companions for other plants. Plant them in full sun for the best results.  Side note: My dad always used to plant these along the perimeter of his garden to keep pests at bay.

3. Zinnias

Zinnias are heat-tolerant and drought-resistant, making them ideal for Wisconsin’s summer conditions. They come in a variety of colors and attract pollinators like butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden.  If you have seeds, get them in the ground now.  It’s as easy as raking up a bit of dirt, tossing the seeds on top, then lightly covering the seeds.  Add water, and you’ll have some gorgeous Zinnias later this summer.

4. Coleus

For shaded areas, coleus offers vibrant foliage in various colors and patterns. While primarily grown for its leaves, it also produces small, inconspicuous flowers. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and more vibrant colors.  These are a great addition to add visual interest.

5. Begonias

Begonias are versatile plants that can thrive in both sun and shade. They are perfect for adding texture and color to containers and small garden spaces. Their continuous blooms last from spring until the first frost.

6. Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)

Angelonia is an upright annual that produces spikes of flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It thrives in full sun and is heat-tolerant, making it suitable for Wisconsin’s summer conditions.

A few really great greenhouses just a stone’s throw from our neighborhoods.

Madison Area:

• The Bruce Company:  One of our favorite greenhouses for many reasons.  The Bruce Company, located in Middleton, has been providing our homeowners beautiful landscaping since we became Veridian Homes back in 2003!  You can find new annuals arriving daily in their nursery.
• K&A Greenhouse: Found in Verona and West Madison, K&A Greenhouse specializes in locally grown annuals and offers custom container designs. Their experienced team can help you create beautiful arrangements tailored to your preferences.  This is where I found my pretty purple petunias.
• Fitchburg Farms: Fitchburg Farms has come a long way since its humble start in 2013 with just mums and pumpkins. Today, it’s a thriving 20,000-square-foot greenhouse offering a wide selection of annuals, perennials, and indoor plants—plus some of Wisconsin’s finest fall mums grown right on-site.
• Kopke’s Greenhouse: Located in Oregon since 1981, Kopke’s uses sustainable gardening practices introducing beneficial insects (vs. pesticides) and they are a big proponent of renewable energy.  You’ll find over 1,000 plant varieties to choose from here.
• Felly’s Flowers: Located in Fitchburg, Felly’s Flowers offers a wide selection of annuals suitable for containers and small gardens. Their knowledgeable staff can assist you in selecting the perfect plants for your space.
• Jung Garden Center: Situated throughout Wisconsin, Jung Garden Center provides a variety of annuals, including popular choices like petunias, marigolds, and zinnias. They also offer expert advice on plant care and garden design

Milwaukee Suburbs:

• Stein’s Garden & Home: With a location in Oconomowoc, Waukesha, Mequon, Racine, and more, Stein’s Garden & Home offers a variety of annuals, perennials, and home decor items. They are known for their wide selection and quality products.
• Piala’s Nursery & Garden Shop: Established in 1978, Piala’s is a family-owned, full-service nursery in Waukesha. They offer a wide range of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees, along with landscape design and maintenance services.
• Johnson’s Nursery: Located in Menomonee Falls, Johnson’s Nursery is one of the largest family-owned plant nurseries in the Milwaukee area. They specialize in Midwest-hardy and Wisconsin native landscape plants, including annuals, perennials, and shrubs.
• Oconomowoc Landscape Supply & Garden Center: Serving the Oconomowoc area, this garden center offers a full selection of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, and vegetables. They also provide landscape supplies and expert gardening advice.
• Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse: Operating since 1904, Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse is a family-owned business offering a variety of flowers and plants. They provide personalized service and a wide selection of products.

Gardening tips to prime you for success!

• Soil Preparation: Use well-draining potting mix for containers. Incorporate compost to enrich the soil with nutrients. Sometimes I like to add stones to the bottom of my pots for added drainage.
• Watering: Regular watering is crucial, especially during hot summer days. Ensure containers have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.  Use the finger test, is the soil dry?  Then, yes, it needs to be watered!
• Fertilization: Feed plants with a balanced fertilizer every 4–6 weeks to promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms.  I like this one, you can find it at Farm and Fleet!
• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Petunias self-dead head (which means less maintenance, but more clean-up), but Zinnias do not… Just be sure to read up on your flowers to know what’s best for their variety.
• Winter Preparation: As annuals complete their life cycle with the first frost, consider planting cold-hardy perennials now or early in fall, for year-round interest.  Peonies are my favorite flower, returning year after year!

By selecting the right annuals and providing proper care, you can create a vibrant and thriving garden oasis. Whether you’re working with containers or incorporating them into your landscaping beds, these plants offer beauty and resilience, ensuring your garden remains a source of joy throughout the growing season.

Happy planting, my friends!