A Summer-Long Punch of Color: Growing Annuals in the Garden

A bed of mixed annuals including tender perennials, summer bulbs, seed grown flowers and colorful grasses.

A bed of mixed annuals including tender perennials, summer bulbs, seed grown flowers and colorful grasses.

Annuals have certainly come a long way since the humble red geraniums and simple zinnias of the past.  These days, nurseries are overflowing with mounds of colorful and exotic flowers of every size and shape.

So whether you’re looking to create a lavish window box, add a little curb appeal to your front walk, or  just fill in a few gaps between your shrubs and perennials, an infusion of annuals may be just what your garden needs to get it from now to wow!

Technically, “annuals” are plants which complete their life cycles (grow, flower, set seed, and die) within one year or growing season. They include flowers, vegetables, herbs, ground covers, and vines. Plants labeled “tender perennials” are best treated as annuals in our hardiness zone, as they will likely not survive our winters and, therefore, will not return the next year as true perennials will.

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Falling into Place: Fall Tasks to Get Your Garden Ready for Winter

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Photo by Betty Scarlatta

Another gardening season has come to a close, but there are still a few things left to do before it’s time to hang up your trugs and trowels till spring.  And while it may be tempting to just call it quits, getting around to some of these tasks now will make your gardening life easier in the spring –when your list of garden to-do’s will be even longer than it is at this time of year. So grab a sweatshirt, pull on your warm hat – -and get on out there! Continue Reading →