What are annuals?
There are flowering plants that complete their entire life cycle within a single growing season -these are commonly termed annuals. While the name suggests a year-long cycle, that’s not always the case. Some annuals may grow from seed into flowers very quickly, often in three months or less after planting. Once an annual has completed its full cycle, germinating, sprouting, and flowering, it will produce seeds, and then die off.
While it might seem a lot of effort to take care of a plant that lasts a year or less, annual plants do have some great inherent advantages. With a little effort, they will provide a vibrant, fresh, and colorful display quickly, all within a single year, filling a very useful niche in your garden.
We’ll outline a few points below which should help you decide whether or not these plants should be destined for your garden.
More variety less expense
While the plants will die out in a year or less, it’s worth considering their multiple benefits when deciding. Firstly, because of their shorter life cycles, annual plants are usually sold at cheaper prices than their perennial counterparts. This means that you can experiment by trying out a bigger variety of different plants. You can plant them side by side, or perhaps space out the timing, planting them to create a continuous but varied display over a single season.
They also help out when it comes to filling sections of gardens with specifically desired colors. Some of the more famous flowering annuals include chrysanthemums, impatiens, and begonias. Flowering annuals are particularly great because their blooming can provide a burst of color throughout the season. Leafy annual plants are also excellent for augmenting the colorful hues of any garden.
Hanging baskets and pots
If you’re thinking about some hanging baskets or potted plants for your porch or other similar area, annual plants fit the bill. That’s because they work excellently for planting in containers, too. As mentioned, some of these are pretty fast growers; this allows people to enjoy the fruit of their gardening labors relatively quickly. This speedy life cycle also lends itself well to experimentation in terms of gardening methods and processes.
Special considerations for annual plants
In order to make sure the plants grow fully you do need to take some proper care. Soil that’s rich in organic matter, such as compost and fertilizer, is excellent for annuals. Make sure the soil is moist but drained well. This is particularly important as annual plants also tend to require more water compared to others. Of course, this is also dependent on the specific kind of plant.
The expert advice of your florist is best
While the internet is a great source of information, remember that the success of your garden will depend largely on local climatic and seasonal conditions. So, your local florist is always going to be your best guide. You can count on them to provide you with the great tips and necessary information to make your new annuals shine.
In conclusion, when looking for new additions to your garden, or when you want to try growing something different comparatively quickly, consider annual plants. There’s a wide variety to choose from, and you’ll certainly find ones that are ideally suitable for your gardening plans.