Annual Color vs. Perennial Gardens

In the grand flowchart that we use to categorize flowers used in landscape plantings, the biggest dividing line separates “annuals” from “perennials.” The names serve as definitions: Annual flowers stick around for a single year, while perennials come back year after year. Both perennials and annuals provide something unique that the other does not, and a well-designed landscape will make use of both in order to provide season-long color as well as texture and structure in planting beds.

Perennial Gardens – Providing Structure and Shape to the Landscape

Perennials are flowers that typically survive for at least three seasons and often for many more. As a result, perennials can become established, and when they return each spring, they will quickly fill in planting beds that may have looked barren. Perennials are often larger plants that can be counted on to provide shape and overall structure to your landscape

Established perennials help to fill in planting beds with colors and textures that balance the showy colors of annual flowers.

Don’t forget that green is a color! While annual flowers are most notable for their flashy color, perennials also bring important greenery into the landscape. The leafy parts of perennials come in a wide variety of colors and textures, some of which are much more sedate and reserved than the bright hues of annual flowers.

Annuals – Bright Colors All Season Long

Annual flowers only last one season, and they make the most of their time by putting on a tremendous show of color. The life cycle of an annual is only one season long, so they put a ton of energy into producing seeds – which means producing flowers first. Unlike perennials, annuals typically have a very large volume of blooms relative to the size of the overall plants.

Even though they only last one year, annuals provide an integral dose of color in any landscape.

For the adventurous among us, “seasonal color rotation” means re-planting several rounds of annuals through the course of the year. This approach allows annuals that thrive in the early spring or fall weather to bring some color to those shoulder seasons, while still enjoying the varieties that do best in the sunshine of summer. Color rotation is also just a great way to get some additional diversity in your outdoor plantings this year, because variety is the spice of life!

Incorporating the Best of Both Worlds

Floral displays ring in the growing season with life and color. With annuals, you can enjoy beautiful color throughout the summer season, while perennials bring stability and form, and they give us recurring elements to plant around each year.

While crabgrass is often considered a lawn’s #1 enemy, there are thousands of other types of weeds that compete with your turf. Broadleaf weeds are an extensive category of weeds that look incredibly out of place in your lawn. Dandelions and clover have (you guessed it) broad, plant-like leaves and often flower as well.

Broadleaf weeds like dandelions, wild violets, plantain and spurge are usually controlled with post-emergent herbicides when they are actively growing.

Once the weather turns warm, these leaves begin their annual push to invade your turf areas. Focused post-emergent treatments are therefore the best course of action when addressing broadleaf weeds. Often, these applications take time to work. Sometimes the treated area will not clear up for a few weeks or more, so there is no need to worry if you don’t see immediate results.

As is the case with grassy weeds, the best way to combat them is to give your turf a proper level of care. Broadleaf weeds thrive in areas of weak or thin turf coverage that are especially warm. Regular fertilization and aeration help maintain robust turf growth, which leaves little room for broadleaf invasion. By mowing at a high blade height, you provide valuable shade that cools your lawn’s surface and deters broadleaf germination.

The combination of prompt treatment and healthy cultural practices can drastically minimize or even eliminate a broadleaf invasion.

Why Do We Fertilize?

Most fertilizers contain numerous compounds that are all important to healthy plant growth, but what do they do?

The largest parts of fertilizer are normally nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the proportions of which are indicated by the N-P-K numbers on each package. Plants absorb large amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and these compounds need to be replenished in the soil regularly.

Nitrogen helps with rapid growth and improves the green color. It is an essential part of all living cells. Phosphorus is necessary for root growth and aids in photosynthesis. The use of phosphorus needs to be carefully monitored in certain sensitive watershed areas. Potassium helps build proteins and growth while reducing disease.

Remember, plants need just the right amount of these compounds for healthy growth – not too much, and not too little. Over-fertilizing can be just as bad as not fertilizing at all. Be sure to call us with any questions!