Types of Plants
What Are Annual Plants?
Most annual plants produce and drop seeds before they die in one season to propagate future generations.
Self-seeding annuals mean they go fromseed to flowerand back to seed and die in one growing season.
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For instance, some self-seeding annuals will only germinate in a certain climate.
Some examples of self-sowing annual plants includeviolas,chamomile,poppies,cleome, andsunflowers.
However, some annuals are sterile and do not self-seed, meaning they need replacing every spring.
Photos by R A Kearton / Getty Images
Sterile flowers mean the plant spends energy producing profuse blooms rather than seeds.
Newer annuals and sterile annuals do not require deadheading for nonstop blooms.
Types of Annuals
Annuals react differently to frosts.
A mix of perennial and annual plantsThe Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Some die the first frost while others handle a light frost.
Cool-season annuals die back in sweltering temperatures and warm-season annuals need consistent heat to bloom.
Most vegetables are annuals, although some notable exceptions arerhubarb,asparagus, andartichokes.
A variety of shrubs, perennials, and annualsPhotos by R A Kearton / Getty Images
Here’s more about the different types of annuals:
What Are Perennial Plants?
Perennial plants are more dependable than self-sowing annual plants and are sure to return yearly if conditions are right.
Many perennials only grow foliage in their first year and start flowering in their second.
Some tender perennials includepansies,lantana,alyssum,tomatoes, andpeppersgrown annually in cold climates.
What Are Biennial Plants?
Biennials fall somewhat between annuals and perennials.The life cycle of a biennial plantis loosely about two years.
A biennial plant is often more cold-tolerant than many annuals.
Many biennial plants and vegetables are popular and add visual interest to a garden.
Planting Annuals vs. Perennials in the Garden
The distinction betweenannual plants and perennialscan be blurry.
Growing annuals will help keep your garden in bloom all season.
They are popular for containers andhanging basketsbecause they remain attractive all season.
Annual flowers also allow you to have a different garden every year.
Perennial plants come back each year and remain a constant in your garden.
They also tend to be less expensive than perennial plants.
