What is an Annual?

Ever wondered why some plants need to be sown every year while others burst into flower year after year? The answer lies in a plant’s life cycle.

What is a life cycle? The period of time a plant takes to grow from seed to finally form seeds of its own, or complete reproduction.

Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season. For example, seeds planted in spring, flower through summer, turn to seed, and with their reproductive mission accomplished, they die when the first frosts in autumn arrive.

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Tip | Deadhead annuals throughout the summer to prevent them from going to seed and encourage reblooming.

Annuals in the garden

Annuals grown from seed are quick rewarders and can turn any naked patch of soil into a frenzy of colour and delight in just two or three months.

Most annuals are sown in spring to flower that same summer, some are sown in autumn when it's time to plant bulbs, and others are sown in early summer so that buds can form before the weather becomes too cool and they will produce flowers in winter or early spring.

Plant annuals in massed beds or fill in gaps between perennials and shrubs. They also bring great pleasure and colour when planted in containers and hanging baskets. These plants are economical and need little time or attention before producing wonderful results.

Annuals can be classified as hardy or half-hardy. Hardy annuals will tolerate cold weather and can be sown earlier than half-hardy annuals. Do keep in mind that what may be hardy in one climactic zone may not be hardy in another. Also, in warm coastal regions, this is often irrelevant.

Most annuals can also provide excellent cut flowers!