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The Difference Between Annual Plants and Perennial Plants in the Garden

May 16, 1999
Annuals by definition are plants whose life cycle lasts only one year, from seed to blooms to seed. Removing the flowers as they fade prolongs the blooming cycle, but if left to produce seeds, many annuals will readily reseed themselves. Annuals are usually available in little starter 'six packs' or in 4 inch 'color spots'. They are an excellent way to create a great splash of summer color in the garden, or for long blooming annual baskets.

Perennials, like old friends return year after year, growing in size and stature until they reach their full maturity. Although they live on longer, many perennials lose their vigor after 3-4 years, and should be replaced. Most perennial plants may be divided to produce new plants, or they may be grown from seeds or cuttings. Perennials are available as 4 inch starters, or in gallon size or larger pots.

The steps which it takes to plant annuals and perennials are basically the same, but with a few variances. Refer to plant care labels for specific requirements and cultural practices for your plants such as sun, water, pruning, division, etc.
When you plant a perennial, you must consider that your plant will be in the same spot for several years. As such, the preparation of the ground must be more complete. Annuals on the other hand will do just fine in any reasonably rich soil, with a minimum of feeding.
This planting guide will show you how to plant either type of plant, starting with preparing an entire planting area. If you plan to only put in a few annual color spots somewhere, you can get away with skipping the first couple of these steps. Simply dig a hole 2-3 times larger and twice as deep as the annuals pot. Your only concern will be with preparing the soil in this hole, so the easiest thing to do may be to buy a bag of commercial potting soil and plant your annual into the hole as though it were a container plant.
By properly preparing the planting area, the roots of your new plants will adjust and begin to grow more rapidly and deeper. This, along with mulching helps to reduce the need for frequent watering. It is important to always 'deep water' your plants rather than a light sprinkling, especially during the hot summer months. Most annuals and perennials, with the exception of drought resistant plants, need at least an inch of water each week to thrive.
For more information on conditioning the soil and preparing the planting site go to http://www.thegardenhelper.com/gardeningguides.html

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