As we head into the spring season, there is one important question that I want you to be able to answer: Do you know the difference between an annual and perennial plant? You’ll probably see those two words a lot as you’re shopping this season. Or, if you hire a landscaper, and they say, “This flower bed will be all perennials.” Do you know what that means? If you’re confused, this is for you!
Annual Plants
An annual plant can be started from seeds or transplants, and it lives its complete life cycle within one season and then dies. An annual flower spends most of its energy producing flowers and seeds for the purpose of reproduction. Hence why annual plants provide us with such striking and bold color in the garden. Have you ever had marigolds or violas pop up in your flower bed, and you thought to yourself, “I didn’t plant these!” It’s because they regrew from seeds that were dispersed at the end of the annual plant’s life cycle.
Depending on the type of plant, annuals can grow in full sun, in full shade areas, in cold winter weather, and in hot summer weather. So, when selecting annual plants for Southeast Louisiana, make sure that you are choosing the right plant for the right location and for the right season. Common cool-season annuals include alyssum, geraniums, lobelia, nasturtium, petunias, pansies, and marigolds.
Perennial Plants
A true perennial plant is one that completes its life cycle within a season and goes through a period of dormancy where it stores energy underground in its roots. It can still produce seeds before it goes through dormancy, but the process of seed production is not the end of its life cycle. In the simplest of terms, a perennial plant will “come back each year” and is commonly referred to as a “hardy” plant.
Like annuals, certain perennials will perform better in different locations. Due to our lack of cold winter temperatures and abundant rain, be sure to plant your perennials in a well-drained flower bed. If the bed holds water or receives too much water through the winter months, there is a high chance that the roots of the plant will rot when it is dormant. In other parts of the country, where the ground freezes, the roots are preserved underground. Some of my favorite perennial plants include coneflowers, blanket flowers, yarrow, society garlic, and calla lilies.
Now that we’re all clear on the difference between annual and perennial plants, there is one thing I want you to consider: I know that the thought of having ALL perennial plants that will always come back year after year sounds amazing. But it is important to be realistic when planning out your flower beds.
The most colorful, full, and beautiful flower beds are typically not filled exclusively with perennials. While several perennial plants provide beautiful color during their blooming period, annual plants will almost always have more color for a longer period. So don’t be discouraged when you begin to shop for flowers, and you find that the ones that you like the most are annuals. Be open to mixing annuals and perennials together, and be open to having to replant some annuals once or twice a year. Happy Planting!
