A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS

With spring finally here, a lot of people are beginning to shop for landscape supplies. Landscaping is a surprisingly complex task, especially since, when it’s done well, landscaping can increase property value by up to 12%. From hardscape materials to shrubs and trees, there are a lot of important decisions to be made when it comes to landscaping. One of the most difficult choices gardeners often face is choosing between annuals and perennials. Both of types of plants have pros and cons and this article is going to discuss them to help you decide.

Annuals

Annual plants are those that have a life cycle that only lasts one year. This means that once they are planted, they grow, bloom, produce seeds, and then wilt and die within one season. Because of this, annuals are generally more work, as their seeds need to be replanted each season. But while they don’t live as long, annuals produce more flowers than perennials. Because they have a single season to produce enough seeds, their flowers are often more plentiful. Additionally, annuals generally bloom the same way no matter the climate they’re in. Overall, annuals produce many beautiful flowers in a short amount of time.

Perennials

Unlike annuals, perennials grow back each year. They do this by growing from roots that go dormant when winter weather comes. So while perennials only bloom for a single season, they will come back year after year. Additionally, they often don’t produce many flowers at first because they have multiple seasons to produce flowers. In doing this, these plants continue to grow each season until they reach full maturity in a few years. While they do not need to be replanted each year, gardeners may choose to replace them after they’ve reached maturity and begin to decline.

Choosing Between Annuals and Perennials

When it comes down to choosing between annuals and perennials, it simply depends on what you’re looking for. You may want to choose annuals if you’re looking for a plant that offers more flowers, as long as you’re okay with having to replant them each year. But if you’re looking for more low-maintenance plants, perennials may be the better option. Overall, both types of plants will bring color and new life to your garden area.

Hopefully, this article helped you better understand the differences between annuals and perennials. No matter what you choose, with the right supplies, you’re sure to have a beautiful garden this year.

Article originally seen: http://gatewayhomeandgardencenter.com/beginners-guide-understanding-annuals-perennials/