Annie's Annuals lives!

As I reported earlier this month, Annie’s Annuals and Perennials shocked the gardening world when it closed its doors on October 3 with no advance notice (apparently not even to its employees). Annie’s was the most beloved nursery in Northern California and adored by mail-order customers around the country. To many, including myself, losing Annie’s was almost like losing a friend.

A lot of people were hoping that a white knight would magically appear at the 11th hour, but in reality, the future looked grim. After all, miracles don’t happen. Except sometimes they do. Look at this post on Annie’s Facebook page from today, October 24:

Here’s what it says:

“Big, Joyful News from Annie’s Annuals! We’re beyond excited to share that Annie’s Annuals is entering an incredible new chapter! For decades, Annie’s has been a cornerstone of California horticulture, inspiring joy and discovery with its rare and heirloom plants. The Hageman Family (owners of Grow Organic) have proudly acquired Annie’s Annuals and are honored to carry on its rich legacy, ensuring that these beautiful plants will continue to inspire gardeners for years to come. Our beloved collections will be available again for shipping in Spring 2025! Expect to find old favorites alongside exciting new varieties ready to brighten your garden.

We’re also thrilled to announce that the Richmond nursery will be owned and lovingly managed by longtime Annie’s team members, who have formed Curious Flora Nursery ! Opening on November 2, 2024, they will carry on the passion and expertise you’ve come to know and love from the local garden center.

Thank you for being part of the Annie’s Annuals family — let’s keep the joy of growing, discovering, and sharing beautiful gardens alive!”

Essentially, the brand name, website, and catalog will be owned by Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply, the operator of www.GrowOrganic.com. The retail nursery at 740 Market Avenue in Richmond will be owned and operated by former Annie's Annuals manager Colleen Wheeler, who has rehired 15 former employees. The nursery will reopen on November 2 under the name name Curious Flora Nursery.

This October 25 article on the local news site Richmondside.org goes into more detail: “As Curious Flora,” Colleen Wheeler said, “the nursery will continue to offer a vast variety of plants and seeds, as well as educational programs. This includes the plants left from the original Annie’s, which, have been watered and cared for since the nursery’s Oct. 3 shutdown, as well as 'mother' plants, used for cultivation, including of rare species.”

I had given up all hope of Annie’s coming back from the dead, and I’m beyond excited. This is a much-needed ray of sunshine amid the doom and gloom in the runup to the U.S. presidential election.

For the latest information, keep an eye on the Facebook page and website of Annie’s Annuals and Curious Flora:

Annie’s Annuals: Facebook | website

Curious Flora: Facebook | website

11/13/24 update: This is a great interview with Colleen Wheeler, the owner of Curious Flora, about what's happening at the new nursery and what the future will hold:

© Gerhard Bock, 2024. All rights reserved. To receive all new posts by email, please subscribe here.