Growing Annuals

They complete their entire life cycle, from germination to flowering and seed formation, in a single season.

You may ask "What's the difference between annuals and perennials?"

Basically, perennials are hardy herbaceous plants that survive year after year. Not all perennials are long-lived. They too have an expected life span which varies from plant to plant.

Some will perform well for many years and then, for no apparent reason, just up and die. You'll wonder what you did wrong. Take heart, that's just the way it is with perennials.

Which Annuals to Grow?

Among the winter selections are kale, ornamental cabbage, and pansies. These are usually planted in the late fall and die in the spring.

Summer selection include such as plants as impatiens, petunias, and ornamental peppers. These are planted in the spring. They bloom in the summer or fall and then die once their season is over.

At local garden centers, you will find those for full sun, some for drought resistant, and annuals for cut flowers, as well as those for shade. Reading the plant tags will help you decide which ones to choose.

For pictures of the some of the plants listed above and more, check out the beautiful images at www.nature-and-flower-pictures.com for a growing selection of free pictures of flowers and information.

Also, there are lots of great books on adding seasonal plants to your garden. I have picked out a few of my favorites and added them here

Learn about all aspects of landscape design at www.landscape-design-expert.com where you can find creative landscape design ideas that are illustrated with beautiful photographs from completed projects by a landscape architect with 30 years experience. This information is valuable to all of you "do-it-yourself" types as well as any person looking to hire a professional.

Benefits of Planting Annuals

• They can help fill out your perennial flower bed by filling blank areas near the front of the bed while your perennials are starting to grow in the background.
• You can also use them to carry out the color scheme of your garden.
• They produce lots of beautiful flowers all season long. This helps keep the garden looking lush and colorful.
• Some of them such as zinnias, snapdragons, and asters make great cut flowers
• Have few pests and disease problems

Planting

• Your selected site should receive 5 to 6 hours of sun a day unless the plant tag states otherwise. Impatiens and wax begonias like part shade.
• Well drained soil is a must unless your plant requires a boggy area.
• Most require slightly acidic soil of a pH of 6.5.
• Deadhead plants. The whole purpose of a flower is to produce seed. Once they accomplish this, they're done! Keeping them deadheaded prolongs their bloom time.
• Encourage branching by pinching the terminal bud. This creates a bushier plant with more blooms.
• Follow spacing directions on the plants tag. Proper spacing is important to keep weeds out and it helps to keep pests and disease away from your plants.
• Pull out plants as they die out at the end of the season. Particularly if a freeze is predicted. After a freeze, many summer annuals become limp and mushy. Not much fun to work with.

If you are a beginner, it's wise to go to your local garden center and ask a professional to help you.

As you gain more experience and confidence, you will want to branch out and look through catalogs and perhaps start your own plants from seeds.

Mail order catalogs and online resources specialize in plant varieties not seen at local garden centers.

Order your catalogs in January. Sit back with a cup of tea and a fire and plan for your next gardening season.

Order catalogs by calling the sources listed in our mail-order catalogs