Spring is officially here at Garden Heights Nursery! As plant and plant care experts, there are some questions that we commonly get from customers, one of the majors ones being, "What is the difference between perennial and annual plants?" Today, we'll answer that very questions here, on our gardening blog.
So, what's the difference?
Perennial plants regrow every spring, while annual plants live for only one growing season, then die off. Perennials generally have a shorter blooming period compared to annuals, so it's common for gardeners to use a combination of both plants in their yard. We're sharing a little bit about both types of plants below.
Perennial Plants
Perennials are plants that can live for three or more growing seasons (oftentimes, especially in St. Louis, bulbs must be planted in autumn to produce spring-blooming plants). Garden Heights Nursery carries a wide variety of container perennials grown for sun and shade. Daylilies, peonies and hellebores are common perennial plants. Garden Heights Nursery is proud to carry a variety of native perennial plants that are beneficial to our local eco-system, providing habitat to butterflies, birds and bees!
Annual Plants
While annuals live for only one season, they tend to have a long bloom season. They are usually bright and showy, used by gardeners to add burst of bright color to their flower beds and container gardens. Popular annuals include petunia, vinca and lantana. Garden Heights Nursery carries a vast variety of both full sun and shade annual plants in containers. Check out our selection this spring!
and, Biennials!
You may have heard the term biennial in describing a plant and wondered what it meant. Biennials are plants that grow for two seasons, yet don't bloom until the second year. Biennials are interesting plants because after their second season, they will drop seeds and in two years, your garden will have blooms from a new generation! Gardeners have come up with schedule to stagger biennials in order to experience blooms every year. It just takes a bit of planning and patience to have annual blooms of biennials in your own garden.
Have more questions about plants? Let us know! Our knowledgeable team is happy to answer any of your gardening questions.
#annualplants #perennialplants #nativeplants #grownative #stlouisnativeplants
As a seasoned horticulturist and gardening enthusiast with years of hands-on experience, I've had the pleasure of working with various plant species and cultivating gardens in diverse environments. My expertise extends to plant biology, gardening practices, and the nuances of different plant types. Over the years, I've been actively involved in sharing my knowledge through workshops, articles, and consultations.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the gardening blog from Garden Heights Nursery:
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Perennial Plants:
- Perennials are plants that can endure for three or more growing seasons.
- In locations like St. Louis, certain perennials, particularly bulbs, require planting in autumn to ensure spring blooms.
- Examples of perennial plants include daylilies, peonies, and hellebores.
- Garden Heights Nursery emphasizes a broad range of container perennials suitable for both sun and shade conditions.
- Native perennial plants are highlighted for their ecological benefits, providing habitat for butterflies, birds, and bees.
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Annual Plants:
- Annuals have a life cycle limited to one growing season.
- They are known for a prolonged bloom season and are often vibrant and showy.
- Popular annuals mentioned include petunias, vincas, and lantanas.
- Garden Heights Nursery offers an extensive selection of annual plants for both full sun and shade, presented in containers.
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Biennials:
- Biennials are plants that complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, with blooming occurring in the second year.
- These plants drop seeds after the second season, leading to new generations of blooms in subsequent years.
- Gardeners can stagger the planting of biennials to ensure blooms every year with careful planning and patience.
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Gardening Tips:
- The blog encourages a combination of both perennial and annual plants in gardens, given their respective characteristics.
- It suggests that while perennials may have a shorter blooming period, annuals contribute vibrant colors for a more extended period.
- The mention of planting bulbs in autumn for spring-blooming perennials reflects a practical gardening tip for specific regions.
- The blog emphasizes the aesthetic value of annuals, which are often used to add bursts of bright color to flower beds and container gardens.
In summary, the blog from Garden Heights Nursery provides valuable insights into the distinctions between perennial, annual, and biennial plants, offering practical advice for gardeners to create visually appealing and ecologically beneficial landscapes. The combination of expert knowledge and practical tips makes it a valuable resource for gardening enthusiasts.
