They really aren’t rivals, but for the sake of adding a little drama to your pastoral garden scene, let’s see whether it’s annuals or perennials that win their way into your garden plans. We’ll test their strengths against each other, and factor in their drawbacks to see who comes out ahead in the battle of the bloomers.

As you will see, it’s ultimately dependent upon both physical limitations and personal preference. The factors involved are pretty straightforward: cost, maintenance and bloom-time. For purposes of this little contest my evaluations will only be in general terms, but nonetheless helpful if applied in the same way.

Considering cost, surely annuals win hands down if you only count one year. In the long run, perennials are the most economical.

As far as maintenance goes, perennials come out ahead. They may need some attention in the first season but are basically care free in subsequent years. Annuals, on the other hand, need to be watered at least weekly, and for small potted plants, watering may be necessary daily. Also with annuals, optimal health and blooming is dependent upon frequent, regular fertilizing. It’s worth noting though, the perpetual blooming of annuals cannot be matched by any perennials that I know of.

On the other hand, you can combine perennials in a way where you have continuous blooms in your garden. I call it the parade of perennials. They, too, can give you blooms throughout the whole season. Some, like tulips, last for just a couple of weeks while others, like rudbeckia, bloom for over two months. Then you have those that repeat bloom, Stella d’Ora day-lilies, for example and Flower Carpet Roses, among other rose varieties, that have the distinction of pushing out new buds over and over again from June till there’s a hard frost. However, all of this perennial flowering potential needs space.

If you have limited space or even no garden at all, that’s where annuals may win the contest. A planter on the porch or a hanging basket can make even a corner of the concrete jungle burst with color and life.

Here’s one last plus for each. For the most part, annuals have smaller blooms that can create a dramatic effect when planted in mass. Whereas, some of the most exquisite blooms are produced by the very substantial, hardy root systems or bulbs of perennials. Think of the iris, Asian lily, clematis or bleeding heart as just a few examples.

The ever-changing perennial garden or the consistently showy garden planted with a variety of annuals can both be beautiful and win the admiration of your guests and neighbors. But ultimately, isn’t the best choice what will give you the most enjoyment?! 🌷

Let’s continue the discussion and get into more details. I’d be delighted to chat with you at…708-952-4600.

Here’s a link for the garden services we offer…
Garden Planting & Maintenance – TML Mowing Company