If you’ve brought annuals home only to watch them lose their color and vigor over the summer, it probably wasn’t the right plant for your growing conditions. It’s a common mistake, but one that’s easy to avoid with a little research. Most of which you can find right on the plant tag located inside the container.

Sun-loving annuals need direct sunlight for most of the day to bloom, while shade-loving annuals will burn if they get too much sun.

Even experienced gardeners can be caught off guard by this one. Some plants, such as zinnias or cannas, vary significantly in height depending on the variety. Dwarf cannas grow just 2 to 3 feet tall, but canna musifolia can reach 12 to 14 feet!

Some early-season annuals are not summer bloomers. Osteospermum, for example, blooms heavily in spring and fall but only sporadically in summer. Rieger begonias flower in cooler weather, spring and early summer, and may not last through hot seasons. However, nonstop begonias offer a similar look and bloom all summer long.

Look for plants with well-branched growth, a strong root system that fills the container, and lots of unopened flower buds. A few imperfections are OK - annuals grow fast! The plant you buy today will look completely different in just a few weeks.

Shopping local doesn’t just support small businesses, these nurseries also have knowledgeable staff and customers with countless years of local experience who are happy to share their tips. Plants sold at local nurseries are either grown nearby or carefully chosen to thrive in our climate.

Larger chain stores source some plants locally, too. So if you're shopping there and want to support local growers, check the plant tags to see where the plants came from.

Bloomin Haus Nursery is a family-owned, 15-acre destination for plant lovers in Holtsville, New York, known for its specialty flowers and rare plant varieties. Founded by Joseph Pazienza in the late 1980s as a passion project next to his family's oil business, the nursery has blossomed into a thriving operation.

Today, under the care of his son Michael Pazienza and Michael's wife Christine, Bloomin Haus grows the majority of its plants right in town under more than 100 greenhouses. Visitors can explore themed sections filled with plants such as dahlias, geraniums, pond plants and tropicals. There’s also a field for perennials and shrubs, as well as a charming gift shop with garden décor. These themed "houses" make the nursery easy to navigate.

The vast majority of plants at the nursery are grown right in town under Bloomin Haus's greenhouses. This is how the nursery is able to offer specialty plants that wouldn't travel well at competitive prices.

Bloomin Haus is located at 816 and 817 Waverly Ave. in Holtsville, New York.

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. & Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.