The distinction between the two categories of plants is probably a given, but I will quickly explain the differences. Perennials are flowers/plants that can survive the winter and their roots send up new growth in the spring. Annuals are tender plants that usually only bloom for a season and are killed by the first heavy frost in autumn. Often many annuals will self seed extending the flower for another season. Also, some perennials are short-lived, lasting only a few years. Some perennials are often called bi-annuals because they grow one season and flower the next. Hollyhocks is an example of a bi-annual flower.
I want to say up front I am a very big fan of annual flowers in the garden. I often hear people say they don’t want to shell out all the money for annuals that will die in the fall. People often say they want to plant perennials to save money and don’t want to worry as much for their care. No plant, either annuals or perennials are totally care free! All plants need to be watered, fertilized, and have dead flowers removed to encourage new flowers to bloom later in the season.
Perennials can be very long-lived. I have three Bleeding Hearts plants that have returned every spring and bloomed for nearly 30 years! Other perennials need to be thinned out or dug up and split up to regain their vigor and continue to display colorful blooms. Perennials often have a short blooming cycle and then stop blooming for the season. Many people go ape over Daylilies. These flowers produce stems of large colorful, and often very dramatic blooms on grass like foliage. Day lilies bloom for a day and wither up and another flower will open. Daylilies are sold as early season, middle season and late season bloomers. A smaller yellow Daylily, Stella de oro, blooms for many weeks. The Daylily flowers can be very large and multi-colored. Many under plant the Daylilies with daffodils to expand the blooming time. Many people are very passionate about growing them. I am going to sound like a gardening heretic, but while I have a few Daylilies in my garden, I am not a huge fan of them. Before and after their blooming cycle you are left with clumps of grass like leaves that often turn brown or yellow and look ratty. As with all things it is a personal preference.
Popular and dependable perennials include Daylilies, Purple Cone flowers (now available in many colors), Daisies, Yarrow, Black-eyed Susan (they often self-seed with a passion!), Stone Crop or Sedum, Peony, Coreopsis, Hosta, Salvia, Garden Phlox, Columbine, and many others.
I am biased toward annuals. I love them! While many perennials have a short blooming cycle, annuals will provide season long color. Yes, they need to be replaced every year, but they reward you with non-stop blooms from May into October! Many annuals are easily grown by seed and will bloom by mid summer. Many annuals will self-seed such as Snapdragons, Larkspur, Pansies, and others. Arranging annuals within a large pot can make an incredible show for months! For many annuals it is easy to collect the seeds and replant them the next spring.
Popular annuals are various kinds of geraniums, some with fancy variegated leaves. Petunias of all color and sizes are beautiful and easy to grow. Shade loving Impatiens, Balsam (a type of Impatiens), Cosmos, Marigolds, and Zinnias, old fashion Morning Glories, and Cleome are only a few of easy to grow annuals, providing an explosion of color all season long! A taller annual, Pentas the Egyptian Star Flower is easy to grow and is in continuous bloom. My favorite is the Dragon Wing Begonia. Both in deep red and pink these sun and shading loving annuals bloom nonstop from spring to fall and give a tropical look to your garden.
So don’t be quick to dismiss planting annuals. They are worth the costs in both color and for endless summer blooms. Actually a garden mixed with perennials and annuals is the best way to go. Sometimes something simple like a couple of pots of big red geraniums on each side of your front door can make a grand statement!
Ask the Gardener
If you have any gardening questions you would like to ask Rick or topics you would love to see him cover please feel free to drop him a note and ASK THE GARDENER here.
