Annie's Annuals: A Treasure Trove of Rare and Heirloom Flowers

Nestled in a Richmond, California industrial district, Annie's Annuals is a plant lover's paradise. Owner Annie Hayes started in her backyard in 1989 while working at Berkeley Horticultural Nursery. She dreamed of selling plants "in the green state—before they bloom—because they grow so much better in the garden." When nobody bought seedlings, she made photo ID signs showing plants in bloom. Sales blossomed. Sixteen years later, she calls herself an "insatiable plant lover… a flower floozy."

With 3,000+ varieties and hundreds of new introductions yearly, Annie's sells at their Richmond nursery, retail nurseries from Carmel to Arcata, and by mail. Their website offers a virtual tour with gorgeous photos and UPS delivery (ground in CA, 2-day air elsewhere).

Standout Blooms

Alcea rugosa (Russian hollyhock, primrose yellow, perennial, 5 ft)
Antirrhinum majus 'Double Azalea Apricot' (snapdragon, apricot-gold double, tutti-frutti scent, annual, 3 ft)
Nemesia cheiranthus (yellow-white Bart Simpson-like blooms, annual, 15 in)
Papaver 'Drama Queen' (frilled ruby-purple poppy, annual, 3–4 ft)
Phylica plumosa (feathery buff-gold South African shrub, 5 ft)
Pycnostachys urticifolia (cobalt blue South African perennial, 6 ft)
Roemeria refracta (Asian corn poppy, bright red with golden anthers, annual, 12 in)
Tropaeolum majus 'Margaret Long' (rare double peach nasturtium, annual, 12 in)
Ursinia anethoides 'Solar Fire' (golden orange daisies with maroon ring, annual, 15 in)

Info: Annie's Annuals (www.anniesannuals.com, 510/215-1326), open 10–4 Wed–Sun. Spring Party Apr 8–10; Mother's Day Party May 7–8.