- Difference between annual vs. perennial plants<\/a>
- Annuals<\/a>
- Types of annuals<\/a><\/li>
- Pros of annuals<\/a><\/li>
- Cons of annuals<\/a><\/li>
- Best annuals for your yard<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Perennials<\/a>
- Types of perennials<\/a><\/li>
- Pros of perennials<\/a><\/li>
- Cons of perennials<\/a><\/li>
- Best perennials for your yard<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Plant care tips for annuals and perennials<\/a>
- Watering<\/a><\/li>
- Mulching<\/a><\/li>
- Fertilizing<\/a><\/li>
- Overwintering<\/a><\/li>
- Pruning and deadheading<\/a><\/li>
- Pest and disease management<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- FAQ about annual vs. perennial plants<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Difference between annual vs. perennial plants<\/span><\/h2>
Gardening enthusiasts often find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to selecting the right plants for their outdoor spaces. The choice between annual vs. perennial plants can be a pivotal decision, shaping the long-term aesthetics and maintenance requirements of your garden.<\/p>
However, it\u2019s smart to plant both types of flowering plants to give your garden visual variety and immediate interest. Perennials should be the base of your garden \u2013 the \u201cmain characters\u201d \u2013 while annuals should act as supporting accents \u2013 the \u201cside characters.\u201d<\/p>
Annuals<\/span><\/h3>
![\"combination](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/annual-flower.jpg\")
olgalngs<\/a> | Canva Pro | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The entire life cycle of annual plants is just one year<\/strong>. They grow from seed in spring, bloom in summer, set seed in late summer or fall, and die in fall or winter (depending on their cold hardiness). Then, you\u2019ll have to regrow them in the next season.<\/p>
When you plant annuals, you get a big burst of color and a long blooming season. But they need a lot of watering, fertilizer, and maintenance to keep blooming.<\/p>
Types of annuals<\/span><\/h4>
Annuals can be categorized into three groups based on their hardiness and ability to withstand different growing conditions. Understanding them can help you choose the right annuals for your garden:<\/p>
1. Tender annuals<\/span><\/h5>
![\"Wax](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Wax-begonia-Begonia-semperflorens.jpg\")
Biswarup Ganguly<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Tender annuals are highly sensitive to cold temperatures and frost. They thrive in warm climates and are typically grown as annuals in slightly colder regions. It\u2019s best to plant them in spring, two to three weeks after the last frost.<\/p>
Popular tender annuals:<\/strong><\/p>
- American marigold<\/li>
- Begonia<\/li>
- Zinnia<\/li> <\/ul>
2. Hardy annuals<\/span><\/h5>
![\"Sweet](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Sweet-alyssum-Lobularia-maritima1.jpg\")
Pharaoh Hound<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Hardy annuals are resilient and can withstand cooler temperatures, making them suitable for early spring or late fall planting in many regions. They often reseed themselves but may wither and eventually die if the weather gets too hot.<\/p>
Popular hardy annuals:<\/strong><\/p>
- Calendula<\/li>
- Pansy<\/li>
- Sweet alyssum<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Half-hardy annuals<\/span><\/h5>
![\"Purple](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/rsz_cosmos-g4f8d38157_1280-1024x683.jpg\")
Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Half-hardy annuals fall in between tender and hardy annuals. They can tolerate mild frost but are best grown in regions with a milder climate. In colder areas, they are often treated as tender annuals. You can plant them two weeks before your region\u2019s final spring frost date.<\/p>
Popular half-hardy annuals:<\/strong><\/p>
- Ageratum<\/li>
- Cosmos<\/li>
- Petunia<\/li> <\/ul>
Pros of annuals<\/span><\/h4>
\u2713 Bloom immediately<\/span><\/h5>
While perennials often take two years to bloom profusely, annual flowers bloom the very spring they are planted. This means your yard won\u2019t look barren while perennials are getting their act together.<\/p>
\u2713 Longer blooming season<\/span><\/h5>
Annuals tend to bloom from early spring up to the first frost of fall, while perennials bloom for a shorter window of the growing season (generally two to four weeks, depending on the plant type).<\/p>
\u2713 Large variety and many color choices<\/span><\/h5>
Annuals come in an awe-inspiring assortment of sizes, colors, and patterns. For example, you can find dwarf or regular-sized hollyhocks with bright red, pink, yellow, white, blue, black, or purple flowers, and the flowers can be one color or bicolor with vibrant centers.<\/p>
\u2713 Good filler plant<\/span><\/h5>
When harsh winter causes your border plants to die more than usual, annuals will save the day come spring. They\u2019ll fill in gaps where perennials used to grow, giving the perennials time to recover while keeping your garden looking full and tidy.<\/p>
\u2713 Great to experiment with landscape design<\/span><\/h5>
If you want to play around with your lawn\u2019s color scheme and aesthetic, you can fill it with annual plants without committing to a specific look for years to come. Try tall, vibrant yellow and white flowering plants one year and switch to short, pastel purple and blue flowers the following year.<\/p>
\u2713 Strong self-seeders<\/span><\/h5>
Just because annuals live for one year doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re all \u201cone and done.\u201d Many annuals (like poppies, cleome, snapdragons, cosmos, and amaranth) release hundreds to thousands of seeds that germinate the following spring. If you\u2019re happy with a wilder, more meadowy lawn look, you can skip the reseeding and let the new annual seeds grow where they have fallen.<\/p>
\u2713 Less expensive than perennials<\/span><\/h5>
Annual seeds are typically cheaper than perennial seeds or seedlings. However, you\u2019ll have to plant them every year or every other year (depending on how well they self-seed), so you may end up spending more money than you would on perennials.<\/p>
Cons of annuals<\/span><\/h4>
\u2717 Need a lot of water<\/span><\/h5>
Because annuals only live for one year, they don\u2019t spend time digging deep roots. Instead, they focus their energy on their foliage and blooming. This means most annuals need to be watered daily, while established perennials generally only need to be watered once or twice per week.<\/p>
\u2717 High maintenance<\/span><\/h5>
You\u2019ll need to cut spent flowers daily or every other day during the blooming season. This deadheading process<\/a> redirects your flowering plant\u2019s energy from producing seed pods to growing new blooms.<\/p>
While you get to enjoy the beautiful flowers for a longer period of time, cutting flowers can take a bite out of your daily routine. Annuals also require more pruning and trimming to prevent them from getting spindly in summer.<\/p>
\u2717 Fewer size options<\/span><\/h5>
Annuals don\u2019t get as tall or as wide as some perennials. Though annual sunflowers<\/a> (\u201cRussian giant\u201d and \u201cmammoth\u201d varieties) can grow up to 12 feet and some annuals like lantanas and spider flowers up to 6 feet, you won\u2019t find shrubs or trees in the annual section of your local garden center. Most annual plants are low-growing or upright flowers.<\/p>
\u2717 Need more fertilizer<\/span><\/h5>
Annuals require frequent fertilizer applications to ensure healthy, dense growth throughout the summer, while many perennials (especially native perennials) require few to no synthetic chemicals.<\/p>
\u2717 Less hardy and short-lived<\/span><\/h5>
Annuals typically cannot withstand drought, wind, cold, and severe weather like perennials can. Annuals are temporary decorations, not tough mainstays. Plus, their one-season lifespan means you\u2019ll miss out on the consistency and established beauty offered by perennials. And since you\u2019ll need to replant them each year, it can be time-consuming and costly.<\/p>
\u2717 Less winter interest<\/span><\/h5>
Most annuals die in late fall or early winter (and may die earlier if you live in a cold climate), which means you can\u2019t expect them to give your garden curb appeal during the winter months. Unless you live in a frost-free tropical climate, they won\u2019t give you pretty red berries or evergreen leaves in January.<\/p>
Best annuals for your yard<\/span><\/h4>
Whether you live in the hot desert or on a hurricane-prone coast, there\u2019s an annual that will thrive in your yard.<\/p>
Most annuals can grow from USDA hardiness zone 2 to zone 11, but certain annuals stand up to the heat and cold better than others. Before you buy a boatload of a specific species, look up which annuals are best for your hardiness zone<\/a>.<\/p>
Some popular annuals for drought-prone regions<\/strong> include:<\/p>
![\"orange](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Africandaisies.jpg\")
African daisy
NataliaVo<\/a> | Canva Pro | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>- African daisy<\/li>
- California poppy<\/li>
- Common lantana<\/li>
- Creeping zinnia<\/li>
- French marigold<\/li>
- Globe amaranth<\/li>
- Moss rose<\/li>
- Spider flower<\/li>
- Vinca<\/li> <\/ul>
Some excellent annuals for wet-weather regions<\/strong> include:<\/p>
![\"pink,](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Flowering-tobacco-1.jpg\")
Flowering tobacco
Carl Lewis<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>- Annual foxglove<\/li>
- Coleus<\/li>
- Flowering tobacco<\/li>
- Forget-me-not<\/li>
- Garden balsam<\/li>
- Lobelia<\/li>
- Monkey flower<\/li>
- Pansy<\/li>
- Wishbone flower<\/li> <\/ul>
While most annuals prefer full sun, these annuals grow well in partial shade<\/strong>:<\/p>
- Browallia<\/li>
- Bush violet<\/li>
- Caladium<\/li>
- Calico plant<\/li>
- \u201cDiamond Frost\u201d euphorbia<\/li>
- \u201cMolten Lava\u201d oxalis<\/li>
- New Guinea impatiens<\/li>
- Polka dot plant<\/li>
- Sweet alyssum<\/li> <\/ul>
Perennials<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Perennials](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Perennials-garden.jpg\")
SmadarSonyaStrauss<\/a> | Canva Pro | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Perennials live for multiple years<\/strong>, from three years to hundreds and even thousands<\/a>, in the case of the prehistoric ginkgo tree. They\u2019re hardy plants that range from groundcovers, ornamental grasses, and flowers to shrubs and trees.<\/p>
To ensure longevity, perennials spend their first one to two years establishing a deep root system and healthy, dense foliage. This means you\u2019ll have to wait two years for your perennials to fully bloom, but once they\u2019re established, you can enjoy beautiful yard color with very little maintenance.<\/p>
Types of perennials<\/span><\/h4>
Perennials are the backbone of many gardens, offering beauty and character year after year. However, they vary in their ability to withstand different climates and growing conditions.<\/p>
1. Tender perennials<\/span><\/h5>
![\"Black-eyed](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_black-eyed-susan-gc85c7ab4f_1280.jpg\")
Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Tender perennials are less cold-hardy and may require special protection or overwintering in regions with harsh winters. They offer unique and often exotic characteristics, making them well worth the effort. It\u2019s best to plant them in spring after the threat of frost has passed.<\/p>
Popular tender perennials:<\/strong><\/p>
- Begonia<\/li>
- Black-eyed Susan<\/li>
- Dahlia<\/li> <\/ul>
2. Hardy perennials<\/span><\/h5>
![\"Aster\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_asters-g008623b9b_1280.jpg\")
Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Hardy perennials are resilient and can withstand freezing temperatures. They return reliably year after year, making them low-maintenance and dependable choices for various climates. You can plant these perennials in early fall. Doing so will give them time to germinate before the weather gets too cold.<\/p>
Popular hardy perennials:<\/strong><\/p>
- Aster<\/li>
- Blanket flower<\/li>
- Peony<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Half-hardy perennials<\/span><\/h5>
![\"eye-level](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_28197801226_176c020ab0_c.jpg\")
alvaroreguly<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0 <\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Half-hardy perennials fall between tender and hardy perennials in terms of cold tolerance. While they can endure mild frost, they may need some protection in colder regions. You can plant them in spring \u2013 around two weeks after the final frost date.<\/p>
Popular half-hardy perennials:<\/strong><\/p>
- Daylily<\/li>
- Hosta<\/li>
- Purple coneflower<\/li> <\/ul>
Pros of perennials<\/span><\/h4>
\u2713 Need little to no fertilizer<\/span><\/h5>
Most perennials do not require fertilizer. In fact, they often produce more flowers without fertilizer<\/a> because fertilizer diverts their energy away from blooming and forces them to focus on foliage growth instead. Unless you have sandy, poor soil, perennials will do just fine without chemical treatments.<\/p>
\u2713 Hardier than annuals<\/span><\/h5>
Most perennials \u2014 especially native species<\/a> \u2014 are more cold-hardy and drought-tolerant than annuals, and you can choose perennials particularly adapted to the conditions of smoggy cities, hurricane-prone coastlines, rocky mountain regions, and hot desert terrain. You won\u2019t have to worry about all your perennials dying if you go on a weeklong summer vacation.<\/p>
\u2713 More shade-tolerant options<\/span><\/h5>
While most annuals favor full sun and grow floppy in the shade, you can find an array of perennials that prefer partial or full shade. That dark corner of your yard doesn\u2019t have to stay bare: Hostas, columbines, and foam flowers will save the day.<\/p>
\u2713 Lower water needs<\/span><\/h5>
While perennials require daily watering for the first two weeks, you\u2019ll need to water them only once or twice a week once they are established. A deep, infrequent watering schedule encourages their roots to reach far down into the soil to seek out groundwater, which helps prepare them for drought.<\/p>
\u2713 Save money in the long term<\/span><\/h5>
While perennial plants are more expensive than annuals (especially if you are purchasing a tree or large shrub), they survive year after year, which means you won\u2019t have to buy new seeds. Plus, you\u2019ll save money on fertilizer and water.<\/p>
\u2713 Low maintenance needs<\/span><\/h5>
With a bit of trimming and deadheading, your perennials will be raring to grow. Cut back your new plants in the fall to encourage vigorous spring growth, trim them as needed through the growing season, and divide perennials every few years if overcrowding is an issue.<\/p>
\u2713 Roots prevent erosion<\/span><\/h5>
Perennials have deep, strong root systems that help stabilize the soil and encourage water to filter through so the next rainstorm won\u2019t leave your lawn messy and muddy.<\/p>
\u2713 Native, pollinator-friendly varieties promote biodiversity<\/span><\/h5>
Native perennials are a fantastic food source and habitat for hummingbirds, butterflies, birds, and bees facing habitat loss. You can design an eco-friendly wildflower garden or butterfly garden<\/a> filled with easy-care native perennials specifically adapted to your climate. These plants don\u2019t require fertilizer or pesticides, and many drought-tolerant varieties don\u2019t even need mulch.<\/p>
\u2713 Yearly yard-to-table harvests<\/span><\/h5>
Perennial fruits and vegetables (like rhubarb, apples, blueberries, asparagus, and Jerusalem artichokes) will give you a heaping harvest year after year. A single rhubarb plant can produce delicious stalks for as long as 20 years, and most asparagus live for at least 10 years. This means you\u2019ll have your own delicious, sustainable food supply year after year.<\/p>
Cons of perennials<\/span><\/h4>
\u2717 Shorter blooming time<\/span><\/h5>
Perennials typically bloom for two to four weeks between spring and fall, whereas annuals bloom for the entire growing season (late spring to the first fall frost). There are certain perennial flowers, such as purple coneflower<\/a> and salvia, that bloom for longer periods, but the majority of perennials won\u2019t bloom all throughout the summer.<\/p>
\u2717 No immediate flower gratification<\/span><\/h5>
For the first one to two years, perennials focus their energy on establishing strong roots and healthy foliage, which means you won\u2019t see many flowers until the second or third year.<\/p>
\u2717 Each plant takes up more space<\/span><\/h5>
Perennials are typically larger than annuals and may spread year after year. If you\u2019re planting perennial bushes and trees, you\u2019ll need to calculate their mature size when designing your landscape so you don\u2019t end up with sun-loving perennial flowers underneath the canopy of a large shade tree.<\/p>
\u2717 Less vibrant than annuals<\/span><\/h5>
Most perennials are not as colorful as annuals. While you can certainly plant brightly colored perennials like blanket flowers and black-eyed Susans, it\u2019s hard to compete with the dazzling assortment of colors offered by annuals like geraniums and petunias. These annual flowers look beautiful whether you plant them in flower beds or hanging baskets.<\/p>
\u2717 More expensive than annuals<\/span><\/h5>
Perennials \u2014 especially trees and shrubs \u2014 cost more than annual seeds and seedlings. You can buy a 12-pack tray of annual zinnias for about $12 ($1 per plant)<\/strong>, whereas perennial purple coneflowers run about $7 per plant<\/strong>, and a small ginkgo sapling (2-3 feet tall) costs about $80<\/strong>.<\/p>
\u2717 A design commitment<\/span><\/h5>
When you plant a perennial, you commit to having that plant in your yard for at least three years or much longer, in the case of many large perennials. If you decide its color, shape, or size doesn\u2019t match the rest of your yard aesthetic, transplanting or removing the plant can be an expensive, labor-intensive process.<\/p>
Best perennials for your yard<\/span><\/h4>
There\u2019s a wealth of perennials for different regions, which can make researching the best perennials for your yard overwhelming. Here are some of the top perennials for drought-prone, wet, and shaded lawns.<\/p>
Perennial species are pickier than annuals when it comes to where they\u2019ll thrive. Check your USDA hardiness zone and choose perennials that will succeed in your region. For a list of perennials that grow in your state, consult your local university\u2019s cooperative extension website<\/a>.<\/p>
Perennials for drought-prone regions:<\/strong><\/p>
![\"Red](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Blanket-flower-1.jpg\")
Blanket flower
PublicDomainPictures<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>- Blanket flower<\/li>
- Butterfly weed<\/li>
- Carpet sedum<\/li>
- English lavender<\/li>
- Foxglove beardtongue<\/li>
- Globe thistle<\/li>
- Purple coneflower<\/li>
- Red bottlebrush<\/li>
- Russian sage<\/li>
- Southernwood<\/li>
- Yarrow<\/li> <\/ul>
Perennials for areas with wet soil:<\/strong><\/p>
![\"Bee](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/beebalm_800w.jpg\")
Bee balm | C Watts <\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure> - Bee balm<\/li>
- Blue flag iris<\/li>
- Canada anemone<\/li>
- Cardinal flower<\/li>
- Hardy hibiscus<\/li>
- Joe-Pye weed<\/li>
- Meadow rue<\/li>
- Queen of the Prairie<\/li>
- Sneezeweed<\/li>
- Swamp milkweed<\/li> <\/ul>
Perennials for shady areas:<\/strong><\/p>
![\"Daylily](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Daylily_800w.jpg\")
Daylily
Renee Grayson<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>- Black snakeroot<\/li>
- Daylily<\/li>
- Foamflower<\/li>
- Hosta<\/li>
- Jacob\u2019s ladder<\/li>
- Redwood sorrel<\/li>
- Royal fern<\/li>
- Saxifraga<\/li>
- Solomon\u2019s seal<\/li> <\/ul>
Pro tip:<\/strong> Choose a variety of perennials with different bloom times to stagger flowering periods throughout the season. This way, your landscape stays colorful throughout the summer.<\/p>
- Mulching<\/a><\/li>
- Pros of perennials<\/a><\/li>
- Pros of annuals<\/a><\/li>
- Types of annuals<\/a><\/li>
- Annuals<\/a>