Installing plants in your landscape beds is a great way to improve the curb appeal of your property. Here in Georgia, both annual and perennial plants can be great additions to your landscape. Annuals are plants that complete their entire life cycle in one growing season and are perfect for adding a pop of color to your landscape. Perennials are plants that can live for 3 or more growing seasons, go dormant for a season, and then regrow in the spring. Neither of these plant types is better than the other, and which one you choose for your property will all come down to your personal preference. Continue reading to learn more about the difference between these two plant types.

What are annual plants?

Lantana annual flowers blooming in a landscape bed in Smyrna, GA.

Annuals are plants that complete their entire life cycle in one growing season of the year. This means that this specific plant will grow from the seed, flower, and eventually die all in a single growing season. One good thing about annual plants is that you can save their seeds and plant them again the following year. Many property owners use annuals to bring new colors and life to their landscape beds during a specific season. Annuals fall into three different categories:

  • Hardy annuals - These are plants that can fully tolerate cold temperatures.
  • Half-hardy annuals - Plants that are half-hardy annuals have some ability to withstand freezing temperatures, but they are not as tolerant as hardy annuals.
  • Tender annuals - Tender annuals thrive in warm temperatures. They can be severely damaged and die if exposed to freezing temperatures.

What are perennial plants?

Coneflower perennial growing in landscape in Druid Hills, GA.

Perennials are plants that are able to live through three or more growing seasons. These types of annuals can withstand the different seasons throughout the year due to their vigorous root systems that allow them to access nutrients and other resources such as water. During the winter, perennial leaves and stems typically die down, but they eventually come back to life in the springtime. Common perennials include:

  • Coneflower
  • Shasta daisy
  • Creeping Jenny
  • Canna
  • Hostas
  • Autumn fern

Before planting plants in your landscape beds, you should make sure they will thrive in the specific conditions of your beds.

Which one is better - annuals or perennials?

When it comes to annuals and perennials, you may be wondering which one is better. Well, neither is better than the other, it all comes down to your personal preference. If you are looking for a burst of color for your landscape during a specific season, then annuals are the choice for you. If you want a plant that will last for multiple seasons and regrow in the spring, then perennials are the better choice for you. No matter which type of plant you choose to add to your property, you can't go wrong!

Want annual or perennial plants installed on your property? Give us a call today to get an estimate on our services.

At Bloom’n Gardens Landscape we can install both annual and perennial plants on your property. If you are looking for perennial plants, you can schedule our bed renovations and softscapes service. If you would rather have annual flowers installed on your property, then our seasonal color service is just what you need. If you would like to have both annual and perennial plants installed on your property, we can make that happen too! We offer our services to residential, HOA, and commercial properties in Atlanta, Buckhead, Smyrna, GA, and throughout the surrounding areas. Give us a call today at (404) 314-1474 to get an estimate on any of our services! We can't wait to hear from you!