If you’re just starting out in gardening, it’s important to first know the difference between an annual versus perennial. This is especially important in how you will create and design your garden! In this post we will review some of the key attributes of both an annual and a perennial, and what you should look out for.
What Are Annuals?
Annuals are plants that do not come back the following year and they complete their life cycle in one growing season. They usually come in array of bold and bright colors. Additionally, they put on an impressive amount of growth in a short amount of time!
Likewise, an important consideration is what garden zone you live in (USDA hardiness zones). While some plants are considered annuals in certain zones, they may be a perennial in others! So be sure to follow the growing requirements closely for each plant.
Take for example where I live here in zone 5b, Dahlias are not frost hardy here and are considered annuals. So each year I have to dig out their tubers and store them in order to prevent frost damage. Whereas if you live in zones 8 or higher, Dahlias can be treated as a perennial and their tubers can be left in ground.
Lastly, something to keep in mind with annuals are they aren’t cheap. They can add up very quickly which is especially true if you plan to garden primarily with annuals. Unless you decide to start some from seed! This approach costs a whole lot less, but does require more time and a seed starting setup. *(Check out my seed starting post for tips and tricks to get started.)
With that said, there are some wonderful annuals that can put on an impressive amount of growth for just one plant and can easily fill a small space in a short amount of time.
Here are some examples of annual flowers:
- Petunias
- Pansies
- Cosmos
- Dahlias
- Geraniums
- Impatiens
- Rannunculus
- Snapdragons
- Sunflowers
- Begonia
What Are Perennials?
Perennials come back year after year! They typically have a shorter bloom cycle than annuals, and become more established with each year they come back.
Plants and flowers are considered a perennial when they live two or more growing seasons. Think of perennials as your more established and mature landscape residents.
Additionally, perennials will need yearly upkeep with:
- Dividing-Some perennials will need to be divided every few years like with an Iris or Daylily.
- Pruning-Removing diseased, dead or damaged foliage and stems.
- Deadheading-Some perennials can be repeat bloomers once you remove, or deadhead, the spent blooms. *If you want to collect seeds, refrain from deadheading so the seed pods can form.
Perennials also “die back” to the ground. In reality, perennial roots continue to grow even during the winter! They store their nutrients in their roots until spring when they produce blooms once again.
There are several types of perennials in addition to flowers that can dramatically change your landscape. Such as herbaceous perennials, vegetables, ornamental grasses and shrubs etc. Shrub or tree perennials are considered “woody” perennials as once they lose all of their leaves, their stems and branches remain intact during the winter.
Examples of perennials:
- Peonies
- Rhubarb
- Salvias
- Echinacea
- Rudbeckia
- Daylilies
- Lilacs
- Hydrangeas
- Roses
- Hostas
Annual Versus Perennial Garden Bed Design
When you begin to design your garden beds, choosing the right plants and flowers is a key part of the process! After identifying your hardiness zone, there are several questions you should ask yourself when you begin selecting your plants to help identify your approach.
- Are you looking to start fresh with a blank slate each year?
Starting a garden from a completely blank slate can be creatively stimulating. You get to plan out a new color scheme and lay out each year. Additionally, gardening with all annuals will cut back on the amount of maintenance you have since annuals do not require pruning at the end of their growing season.
The bonus to gardening with all annuals is that your garden will instantly pop! You won’t have to wait for your flowers to grow or mature and the blooms will last a very long time.
2. Would you be okay with a garden that takes several years to mature?
Perennial gardens take time, lots of time. I’m talking years to mature and grow into a lush full garden. There can also be quite a bit of maintenance and upkeep with perennial gardening as most require pruning and sheering back at the end of the season.
3. Would you like a balance between perennials and annuals every year?
This is the best of both worlds. You get to still change up color schemes every year and also get to watch your garden perennials grow and mature over the years! I love being able to watch my perennials become more established but also appreciate the ability to change out planters and landscape borders out each year with new annuals!
What type of garden bed landscaping will you try this year? Are you considering gardening with more annuals or perennials?
-Kate