Annuals Or Perennials

Annuals Or Perennials

COM/155-Week 7

Perennial or Annuals

      When my mother and I decided to establish a large garden in her yard, we did research and planned out the beds. She wanted a garden that was easy maintainable but offered a wide variety of plant species. Initially more expensive than annuals, planting beds of perennials was a better long term investment for the price. Perennials also come in a larger variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and types than annuals which was also an appealing factor. In planning out plants for the already large garden, we wanted to select plants that would not only diverse the garden but be easily maintainable. Together we decided on perennials as the best choice. Rather than purchasing annuals at a cheaper price, the increased price of purchasing perennials was worth it for many reasons. Perennial flowers have longer life cycles, their heights, colors’ and, types are more variable, and they require less maintenance season to season.

          Annual plants flower bloom only once and the plants die, terming them as monocarpic. Planting a bed of perennials will only need to be done once every few years, while a bed of annuals need to be dug up and replanted each year costing you more money long term. Perennials die back toward the end of their growing season. New shoots come the following season from the existing plants subterranean parts. Many perennials can be divided after a couple of years and planted in other areas of your garden or you can share with family and friends. The longer you have your perennial flowers the stronger they are and the more the perennial flower plant produces. In fact I was able to create a whole new perennial garden through the division of my mothers’ original perennial garden. This factor is especially appealing those gardeners who wish to make a profit from their existing plants. As the different plants are divided, many varieties in heights, colors and, types are an appealing selling point....