Annuals

Annual Plants in South Coastal British Columbia  

What Is an Annual Plant?  

An annual flowering plant is a plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. It germinates from seed, grows, flowers, produces seeds, and then dies—all within a single year.  

Here’s what’s great about them:  

• Fast-growing: Annuals grow quickly because they have a short window to live and reproduce.  

• Showy flowers: They often put a lot of energy into bold, colorful blooms to attract pollinators.  

• Seed-focused: Once flowering happens, the plant’s main goal is making seeds for the next generation.  

• Season-dependent: Many annuals thrive in warm seasons (like summer annuals), while others prefer cooler weather.  

Must Have Annuals (By Month)  

Discover what’s currently available in our garden centres—explore our Annuals by month below.

January & February

March & April

May & June

Annuals vs. Perennials  

• Annuals: Live for one season; replanted each year  

• Perennials: Return year after year from the same root system   

To learn more about perennial plants, please click here. 

When to Plant Annuals in South Coastal British Columbia  

• Early spring (March–April): Cold-tolerant annuals can be planted once soils are workable.  

• Mid to late spring (April–May): Main planting window after frost risk decreases.  

• Early summer (June): Heat-loving annuals establish quickly as nights warm.  

In most South Coastal British Columbia communities, the average last frost falls between late March and mid-April, though microclimates vary.  

Care Tips for Coastal Gardens  

• Plant in well-drained soil enriched with compost  

• Fertilize regularly, especially for container-grown annuals – we recommend Gardenworks All Purpose Plant Food 20-20-20 or Gardenworks Flowering Plant Food 15-30-5 

• For hanging baskets containers – we recommend Gardenworks Slow Release Plant Food 14-14-14, apply at the beginning of the growing season 

• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering  

• Water consistently during dry summer periods  

Explore Annuals at Gardenworks  

Discover our full selection of annual plants suited to South Coastal British Columbia, including sun-loving bloomers, shade performers, and pollinator-friendly favourites.  

 Our South Coastal BC Store Locations  

The planting guidance and timing on this page apply to our South Coastal British Columbia garden centres, serving the following communities:  

• Burnaby  

• Coquitlam  

• North Vancouver  

• Vancouver  

• Victoria  

• Courtenay  

• Nanaimo  

• Oak Bay  

• Colwood  

Gardeners in these areas share a mild, maritime climate with relatively cool summers, moderate rainfall, and long growing seasons that are well suited to a wide range of annual plants.  

Penticton (Okanagan) Location  

Our Penticton store serves the Okanagan region, where growing conditions are significantly different from the coast. The Okanagan typically experiences:  

• Colder spring nights and a later last frost  

• Hotter, drier summer conditions  

• Greater temperature extremes  

As a result, planting times and suitable annual selections may differ from the coast. Customers shopping in the Okanagan should always follow local in-store guidance and adjust planting schedules accordingly.  

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