Enhancing the Life of Annuals

Annuals are probably one of the most commonly seen flowers blooming throughout landscapes as their colorful blooms make great fillers for the garden. These short-lived flowers have a growing cycle of only one year, requiring them to be replaced each year. However, many varieties will self-seed, especially those grown in warmer climates, and with proper care, they can bloom nonstop. To enhance the life of annuals, it's important to consider a few things beforehand, such as inspection prior to any purchase. Annuals should always be thoroughly inspected to ensure their overall health and vigorous growth later.

Since problems with insects and diseases do occur, it is vital to become familiar with common pests and diseases that may potentially affect the life of annuals. Insects, such as whiteflies, can usually be found on the undersides of leaves. Other easily spotted insects that pose significant dangers to annuals include aphids and spider mites. When inspecting annuals, avoid choosing any plants with wilted or discolored leaves. Also, do not pick annuals that already have full blooms. Try instead to choose smaller plants with fewer buds or open flowers. If there are specific problems occurring with annuals, consider replacing them with problem-resistant plants of comparable attributes. However, make sure they are hardy to your particular growing zone; otherwise, they may fail to thrive.

Understanding the different types of annuals is also important when growing them. There are both warm and cold-season varieties. Warm-season annuals such as cosmos, zinnias, coreopsis, cosmos, geraniums, petunias, and marigolds thrive in heat, while cool-season annuals like sweet alyssums, nasturtiums, poppies, and pansies do well in cooler temperatures. Warm-season annuals, also called half-hardy annuals, cannot withstand cold weather at all, and will die easily if exposed to these conditions. The cool-season or hardy annuals, on the other hand, withstand most cold temperatures and the seeds are often unaffected as well.

Soil is another factor to consider in order to enhance the life of annuals. Creating and maintaining healthy, fertile soil encourages problem-free flowers. Regularly amend the soil with compost to improve its quality and drainage capabilities. Some annuals, such as asters, marigolds, and snapdragons, are more prone to soil-borne diseases; therefore, rotating these plants and working the soil each year will maintain the nutrient balance in the soil, resulting in healthier annual plants. Adding a sufficient layer of mulch will also help by discouraging the onset of weeds and keeping the soil moist and the plants clean.

Other techniques can be implemented to improve the life of annual flowers as well. For instance, if annuals are started by seed, harden off the seedlings before transplanting them outdoors. This is done by gradually increasing the amount of time they are outside each day, which in effect helps to strengthen the young plants. Watering annuals often and applying fertilizer will also help to ensure healthy growth. Fertilizing may be in the form of composted manure or fertilizer pellets. Adding beneficial insects like ladybugs and a praying mantis or two can also cut down on harmful pests. Some gardeners, such as myself, prefer to incorporate suitable companion plants to help deter pests and disease. For example, planting marigolds throughout the garden keeps many pests away. To encourage prolonged blooming of your annuals, it helps to remove spent blooms (deadheading), or if you prefer, you could simply cut back any stressed plants to stimulate new growth. For a stronger, bushier plant, try pinching out the tips of young annuals.

Practicing some simple techniques both before and after obtaining annuals will enhance their life in the garden. Nothing quite compares to the eye-popping colors of healthy, vigorous annuals scattered throughout the landscape.