Ideas Fro Annual Gardens Sunny

Annual plants germinate, grow, flower, set seed and die all in one growing season. The first frost usually signals the end of the season for annuals and most need to be replanted each year. Some will set seed if the flowers are left to produce seed heads and return the following year.

PLANTING ANNUALS

Consider the following pros and cons before planting annuals in your garden:

Pros:

Annuals are easy to grow and offer brightly colored flowers for instant impact
They are versatile and can be grown in garden beds, hanging baskets or containers
If properly planted and cared for, many annuals will bloom nonstop from planting to frost
Color choices include purple, bi-color, pink, blue, red, yellow, coral, orange, white and even black!
You can find annuals for every situation: deer, sun, shade, low maintenance…you name it

Cons:

Unlike perennial plants which return year after year, they complete their life cycles in a single season and must be replanted yearly
Many annuals require deadheading, or the removal of spent buds, to keep them blooming
Annuals often benefit from frequent applications of fertilizer to keep them looking their best
Daily watering is usually necessary, especially in summer heat

When it comes to growing these garden favorites, you have two choices: purchase the plants in flower or start them yourself from seed. If you are looking for instant gratification, buying starter plants will be best. However, if you want to save some money and aren't in a rush, seeds can be cheaper.

Here are some tips for planting annuals in the landscape:

When planting young annuals make sure you are giving them enough space to reach their full size
Add slow-release fertilizer to the planting hole to get your plants off to a good start
Make sure you plant them in a spot where they'll receive the right amount of light
Check the weather, it is safest to plant when all danger of frost has passed
If the roots are twisted and dense when removed from the growing pot, loosen them slightly by hand or run a knife down the sides
Don't leave annuals in six-packs or flats for long, getting them in the ground or container quickly is best
Water your new plants well immediately after planting
Spread a layer of mulch after planting to complete the look, reduce water loss and prevent weeds

Annuals can be divided into three groups: hardy, half-hardy and tender, based on their cold tolerance. This classification will determine how close to the last frost date in spring that they can be planted, which will vary by location.

Hardy annuals do well in cooler weather. They are able to withstand some freezing temperatures and can be planted the earliest. These types will also do well when planted in fall when temperatures begin to drop.
Half-hardy annuals will tolerate a touch of frost and most common annuals fall into this category. If a surprise spring frost arrives, be prepared to cover them at night.
Tender annuals can't take any frost and most have originated in tropical or sub-tropical climates. Their growth may be stunted in cooler weather (above freezing) and they shouldn't be planted until late spring.

Besides true annuals, there are tender perennials that are often grown as annuals in climates where they are not hardy. Check with your favorite local nursery for recommendations to grow in your area and when to plant them.

DESIGNING WITH ANNUALS

As garden centers start to fill up in spring with enticing displays of annuals, it's easy to grab everything you can and think about where to plant it all later. If you want a cohesive design (face it, we all know that looks better), here are a few essential tips for designing with annuals:

Before you get in your car to go plant shopping, evaluate the areas in your garden where you want annuals. Measure the size of the spaces, know the sun and shade patterns throughout the day, think about how the areas will be viewed and take stock of what plants are nearby.
In a bed of strictly annuals — unless you're buying a mix of plants that is intended to go together, as with some pansies — stick to larger quantities of a few types of plants, rather than the overbusy look of a few of everything.
Not all plants need to have flowers to be great additions to the garden. Foliage plants such as coleus, Persian shield, 'Magilla' perilla, Joseph's coat and copper leaf add color and texture whether used as filler or focal point.
Color combinations can complement, contrast or match. Too much contrast can be jarring, and too much of the same color can be monotonous. Use several colors in a limited palette that work well together for a cohesive and pleasing look. Arrange samples on the ground at the garden center to see if they will work — chances are, if they look good together in a flat, they'll look good in the garden!
Repeat colors and forms to lead the eye through the garden.
Use a variety of textures to give the garden energy. Too many plants with either a fine or a bold texture can be boring to look at.
If you're tucking annuals into a perennial bed, keep in mind the ultimate sizes of the annuals and the perennials so that none of the plants are later overwhelmed by their neighbors.

Learn About Annuals

Rockapulco Appleblossom, Impatiens, Impatiens Walleriana Proven Winners Sycamore, IL 19 Amazing Shade Annuals Discover 19 amazing plants to grow as shade annuals in your spring and summer garden, baskets, and containers.

Royal Velvet Petunia, Purple Petunia, Annual Flower Growing and Arranging Sweet Peas Proven Winners Sycamore, IL Annuals vs. Perennials Learn the differences between annuals and perennials, and why they both play an essential role in your garden.

Ipomoea Tricolor, Heavenly Blue, Blue Flowers Shutterstock.com New York, NY Morning Glory Vines How to grow and care for this fast-growing, easy-care vine.

Begonias Garden Design Calimesa, CA Begonias Learn about how this tropical plant can be used indoors or in shaded summer beds.

Reader Questions

We have just moved from Baltimore to this land of mild winters. I've been told I can plant seeds for annuals right now - instead of waiting until spring - to get flowers early next year. What kinds should I try?
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I filled a large flower bed with the new Wave petunias last year, and they made a terrific show at first. But near the end of the summer they just quit. The plants still looked healthy, but the flowering stopped completely.
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