Annual Flowers
This is the question I have to ask myself every time I design a new landscape. I have to decide if I want, or the homeowner wants to replant this spot over and over again or just once. Let’s talk for a minute about the differences between an annual and a perennial.
An annual plant is one that will only survive for one season. These will tend to include; pansy, petunia, marigold, geranium, impatien etc. Annuals always will provide you will a very high quality showing in a landscape area. If maintained properly, the use of an annual could take your landscape from being average to extraordinary. There are summer annuals and winter annuals. Summer annuals are obviously more brilliant and have a much greater selection. Winter annuals such as the pansy, will survive freezing temperatures, but will only truly grow when the temperatures are in the 50’s and above.
Perennials are excellent plants to have and enjoy. They will almost always return year after year and often will become stronger and more vibrant as time goes on. There are hundreds, if not thousands of choices to pick from when it comes to perennials. Perennials are unique in fact they multiply in so many different ways. Some plants will completely die in the winter, but have such a strong seed, new plants will emerge in the spring. Sometimes in the right spot, sometimes somewhere far away from the original plant. Some plants, i.e. hosta or daylily will completely loose all its foliage in the winter, but will reemerge from the root structure in the spring, and become a larger plant
Perennial Flowers
because of a larger root system.
Perennials and annuals are definitely complimentary of each other. When planning a planting area for either one, you must account for the mature size of the plant. Many perennials and some annuals can get upwards of 4-5 ft. in height. You must also keep in mind with perennials how they reproduce themselves. You do not want new plants coming up in places they shouldn’t.
If you have any questions about a plant, or what to plant where…shoot me an email @ askthepigg@thepiggpin.com and we will get you an answer quickly.
Happy Planning
