Annuals

ANNUALS

“complete their life cycle in a single growing season.”

— Page text

What IS An Annual?

Annuals complete their life cycle in a single growing season. What this means is that their seeds germinate, the plant grows, and they produce a flower that then goes to seed for the next generation. All of this happens from Spring to Fall.

Why Plant annuals?

The most common reason for planting annuals is the color that they provide. Because annuals will flower continually (if maintained) they provide constant color to the landscape.

possible drawbacks:

Annuals, when compared to perennials, have some drawbacks. They will not tolerate a frost or winter. This means that annuals must be planted each year

Another drawback is that annuals in order to continue to flower, must be dead-headed. What this means is that you cannot allow the seed to form in the flower. This tricks the plant into continuing to flower to produce that seed for its next generation.

“annuals in order to continue to flower, must be dead-headed.”

— page text

Below you will find two lists of annual plants. It is often easiest to break choices down based upon how much sun a plant will tolerate. While some plants that are tolerant of full sun will also grow in shade, they might not flower as vigorously, or they may stretch for light, instead of remaining tight with their growth habit.