Planting annuals in our region is important. Part of the goal of bringing back the flora is to think not just about the trees, shrubs, and perennials that grow in our region, but the annuals that have a timing that is very important for the fauna that evolved with them. Annuals provide nectar at just the right time when certain native bees emerge from the ground, or when migratory butterflies just happen to be coming through the area.

Instead of planting non-native annuals like pansies, petunias, and snapdragons, often which have been grown drenched in pesticides at large growers, consider planting annual natives. Find sources that don’t use pesticides, or buy from giant growers from far-flung greenhouse operations.

For a guide on growing annual wildflowers from seed, click here.

See our species profiles below for plants we try to make available at the appropriate time.