Most gardeners will have heard the gardening terms ‘annual’ and ‘perennial’ plants. It’s easy to make deductions about what they mean, but understanding what it means for your garden and how you care for these plants will help you get the most out of your garden year after year.
What’s the difference?
Annual plants live for one season then die off, meaning you are able to add instant colour to your garden and then change it up after the season is over. These are great for filling in bare areas of your garden that need a seasonal boost.
Perennials live throughout the changing seasons. Even in winter when the visible parts die, the roots stay and bring new growth when the spring returns. Some types of perennial live for many, many years.
Which one is better?
Most people have their own preferences in their garden. The actual garden itself will receive benefits from both types of plants, and you can mix and match throughout.
The only point to note is that perennials require patience. They will typically grow stronger each year, so don’t dig up anything that looks dead prematurely. It’s also a good idea to mark where your perennials are just in case you forget.
Check the labels
You can categorise most plants, but some can’t be classed as annual or perennial, so before you sit back in your rattan garden furniture, check the labels or do some research to make sure you’re caring for your plant in the right way.
