Growing Tips

In general, an “annual” is a plant species that completes its life cycle in one growing season. It flowers, sets seed, and dies in one season. Its main purpose is to set seed. For that reason, more flowers are produced if the gardener regularly deadheads them (doesn’t allow the flower to go to seed). Annuals are good choices if you wish to have a longer lasting display of blooms. This is true of some vegetables, too. If you want a longer crop of green beans, harvest them regularly.

Hardy annuals: Annuals that thrive in early spring and late fall. These do not mind cooler weather and can tolerate light frost. Examples include forget-me-nots, larkspurs, and cabbage.

Tender annuals: These are native to sub-tropical climates and should not be planted until all danger of frost has passed. Fall frosts will kill them. Dahlias, petunias, and marigolds fall into this category. Dahlias may be dug up in the fall and stored over winter if one wants to plant them the next year.

Half-hardy annuals: These are the most common type of annual and fall in between the previous two categories. They tolerate a greater range of temperatures.

Perennials: These are typically cold tolerant plants and return in the spring. Their flowering usually occurs during one part of the growing season. Some bloom in the spring while others bloom in the summer and/or fall. While they may last several seasons, not all will regrow forever. Some of these may be propagated by division (think hosta) or reseed like purple coneflower (echinacea).

Biennials: These are not the same as perennials. They require two growing seasons to bloom, although there are some species that will bloom the first year if started by seed indoors. After two years, they must be replanted. Foxglove and hollyhock are examples of these.