Do you ever notice that some plants die off after a season while others come back for more every year?

If you are new to gardening or you are trying to expand your knowledge, you should know that there are two major plant types to consider when planning your garden.

The two are annuals and perennials.

Both types are essential in any garden, so it’s important to understand just what sets them apart to fully take advantage of gardening. In this article, I will teach you everything you need to know about annuals vs. perennials.

Perennials and Annuals: The Differences and Benefits

To start, perennials come back year after year.

They sleep through the winter and then wake up again in the spring to come to life again! Typically perennials last an average of five years before they need to be replanted, some even last longer! Perennials are colored more naturally.

Annuals need to be replanted annually or every year. Annuals are typically the brighter flowers. They only bloom for a season but they are beautiful. People usually use them to brighten up their property because it adds so much color and texture to their garden(s). 

Now, before you start to develop an idea that one is better than another, that is simply not true!  

There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Even though annuals are gorgeous and brightly colored, they are more work. They need to be replanted every year. That means you have to spend money, time and energy and usually more soil to add them to your garden yearly.

One benefit however is that they are typically less expensive than perennials. Even though perennials are usually more expensive flowers, it makes sense because they last longer. However, perennials don’t always bloom the first season, or sometimes even the first few seasons you have them planted in your yard. They are also usually more natural in color.

As a rule of thumb, all great gardens have a good mix of perennials and annuals from year to year. So, be sure to take the benefits of both to truly create stunning collaborative efforts for each flower type! 

Bonus: A Flower Fun Fact

What is really interesting about annuals and perennials is that some flower breeds can be both! 

The dazzling sunflower can be both an annual and a perennial. Perennial sunflowers have small seed heads where as annual sunflowers can have small or large seed heads. Annual sunflowers bloom the first year after they are planted, but perennial sunflowers take at least two years before they bloom. Perennials appear in early spring whereas annuals appear later in springtime. Annual sunflowers grow quickly whereas perennial sunflowers take much longer to grow. Annual sunflowers usually just grow from one stem whereas perennial sunflowers grow from a group of stems that look like a cluster.

Now You Know

The cool thing about gardening is that it can be as easy or time consuming as you want it to be. 

By simply understanding flowers like annuals and perennials you can simply plan for the type of garden and gardener you want to be! 

Want something more low key? Perennials. 

Want something more hands on? Annuals.

Understanding the difference between these flowers can really make or break your experience. The coolest thing about annuals is that you can change the look of your garden every year based on what colors and patterns you want for that season of your life. 

Flowers are so fun, huh?

Hopefully you found this article helpful, but if you have more questions, give me a buzz! I would also love to see flower beds you are planting so be sure to tag me on Instagram your gardening creations! My handle is @TheBloomingHive!