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Click here for our list of annuals showing sizes and prices as well as some useful information
The term annual is applied to garden flowers that complete their life cycle in the span of one growing season. This means they come up in the spring, grow, flower, set seed and then die after the frosts in the fall.
Planting Annuals
Bedding plants are sold in a variety of ways. Depending on the size of the plant, you may buy them as "cell packs," in flats, or individual pots. If it is not possible for you to plant them right away, keep them in a lightly shaded area and be sure to water them as needed. Just prior to planting, water the bedding plants well to thoroughly moisten the soil. Ideally, the garden bed should also be slightly moist prior to planting.
Don't get in a hurry to plant too soon. Most annuals prefer warm soils and stable temperatures to grow well. When you are ready to plant, lift plants from the cell packs or pots. The best way to do this is to either gently squeeze or push up the bottom of the container if pliable, or turn it upside down, tap it lightly, and the plant will fall into your hand.
If the roots are extremely compacted, it is a good idea to loosen the roots slightly by either breaking the soil ball apart slightly or cutting the sides of the root ball with a knife. This loosening helps to encourage better rooting in the garden bed. Some growers like to offer plants in flats without individual cells. In this case, separate the plants gently by hand or use a knife to cut the plants apart.
Plants should be set in the garden at the same level or just slightly lower than they were grown in the container. Carefully firm the soil around the plant and water well to wash soil around the root ball and eliminate air pockets. An application of a liquid fertilizer with a high phosphorous content such as 10-52-17, also called starter fertilizer, may prove beneficial at this time. Use about two tablespoons per gallon of water and apply a cup or two around each plant.
Water plants as needed to maintain uniform soil moisture around the roots. Using organic mulches will help conserve soil moisture as well as retard weed growth.
Annuals for Specific Locations
Most annuals will do well if given the proper location and care. There are, however, certain annuals that may tend to do better in some locations than others. Proper plant selection can provide cool weather color, brighten a shady spot, dress up a hot dry location or accent an open sunny area.
Shady Location: Rare is the plant that will flower in heavy shade, but many do well with four hours or less of direct sunlight. Plants must often compete with trees and shrubs for moisture and nutrients. If the shade is due to structures, proper plant selection is important. Here are a few suggested plants for shade areas. For very heavy shade select impatiens, begonia, coleus, browallia, fuchsia and torenia. For light shade, lobelia, nicotiana, red salvia, pansy, alyssum, dusty miller, impatiens, begonia, ageratum, and dianthus are suggested.
Sunny Location: Hot and dry areas are common along the edges of pavement or in front of light colored, south facing walls. Intense heat dries the ground quickly and tests the staying power of most annuals. Protect plants in these locations with a thick mulch and water thoroughly. Here are some plants that do well in hot dry areas: amaranthus, celosia, vinca, gazania, melampodium, ornamental pepper, blue salvia, zinnia, verbena, portulaca, dusty miller, petunia, and strawflower.