Annuals or Perennials? Choosing the Best Blooms for Your Garden

When selecting plants for your landscape, particularly flowering ones, you'll notice terms like “annual” and “perennial” on plant labels. In the simplest terms, these words tell you how long you can expect your new plant to live, whether that’s a single season or they’re in it for the long haul—but there’s much more nuance to how annual plants and perennial plants will perform in your garden. Here’s what you need to know to pick the right plants for your landscape.In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between annual plants and perennial plants and help you choose the best option for your landscape. And if you are looking for more information specifically on perennials, be sure to check out this blog post! 

What is an Annual?

Annual plants complete their entire lifecycle in a single year. These plants grow, flower, seed, and die all within one growing season. This rapid lifecycle makes annuals a great option for gardeners who love abundant blooms. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, can extend the blooming season, providing vibrant colors right up until the first frost.

Annuals do require replanting each year if you want to enjoy the same flowers again. However, some annual plants, like sweet alyssum and cornflower, may self-sow, returning each year with minimal effort.

Types of Annual Plants

Annuals can be grouped into three main categories based on their growing season:

• Hardy or cool-season annuals: Thrive in cooler temperatures and can even handle light frosts. Examples include pansies, calendula, sweet pea, and swiss chard.
• Tender or warm-season annuals: Require warm temperatures and do not survive frosts. Plant these in late spring. Common choices are marigolds, geraniums, zinnias, and impatiens.
• Half-hardy annuals: These plants can tolerate cooler temperatures but are damaged by frost, making them more resilient than tender annuals but not as hardy as cool-season varieties. Examples include cosmos, nasturtiums, amaranthus, and larkspur.

Always check the hardiness zone of your region to determine the best planting times for annuals in your garden. A plant that’s considered half-hardy in Virginia might need to be planted in the warmest part of the season in Massachusetts!

Benefits of Annual Plants

The main advantage of annual plants is their ability to produce abundant blooms over a short period. For gardeners who enjoy changing their landscape's look every year, annuals offer a great opportunity to experiment with different colors and designs. If you’re comparing annual vs. perennial options, annuals provide a fast-growing, low-commitment way to fill any empty spots in your garden with vibrant flowers.

What is a Perennial?

Perennial plants are those that return year after year. These plants typically survive winter and begin growing again in the spring. While their bloom time is often shorter than annuals—usually lasting for just one season—perennials make up for this by lasting many years with the right care.

Not all perennials live for decades. Some have shorter lifespans of three to five years, while others require more maintenance, such as pruning or dividing, to stay healthy. Still, perennials are a popular choice for gardeners seeking long-term growth and low-maintenance plants.

Types of Perennial Plants

Perennials cover a wide range of plants, including flowers, foliage, and edible crops. They are generally more cold-hardy than annuals but vary in their ability to withstand extreme winter temperatures. Some popular perennial plants include:

• Perennial flowers: Daylilies, lavender, asters, peonies, bee balm, coneflowers, bleeding hearts, and poppies.
• Edible perennials: Rhubarb, blueberries, chives, asparagus, artichokes, watercress, kale, and raspberries.

You might also hear the terms “tender perennials” or “temperennials” used—these describe plants that are treated as annuals in many parts of the country, but can return like perennials in warmer climates. This list includes many succulents and tropical plants like agave, begonias, and alocasias.

Benefits of Perennial Plants

Perennials are a great investment because they come back year after year, saving you the time and expense of replanting. Once their root systems are established, perennial plants generally require less water and upkeep than annuals, making them ideal for low-maintenance gardens. Native perennials also provide important habitat for pollinators and local wildlife.

The biggest drawback to perennials is their shorter bloom period compared to annuals. However, by planting a mix of perennials that bloom in different seasons, you can ensure your garden is always full of flowers.

Annual vs. Perennial: Which Should You Choose?

When comparing annuals vs. perennials, the decision ultimately depends on your gardening goals. Annuals offer vibrant, continuous blooms for one season, while perennials provide longer-lasting plants that return each year. Many gardeners choose a combination of both, using annuals for a pop of seasonal color and perennials for a more permanent garden foundation.

What About Biennial Plants?

Biennials sit between annuals and perennials. They live for two years, growing in the first year and blooming in the second before dying. Common examples include hollyhocks, sweet Williams, carrots, celery, and cabbage.

With the right mix of annual and perennial plants, you can create a dynamic, colorful landscape that evolves with the seasons. Whether you want instant blooms or long-term growth, there’s no wrong choice when it comes to your garden. And if you need help deciding, we’re here to guide you in picking the perfect plants for your space!