National Gardening Month Tips for the CSRA: Annuals Vs Perennials
Happy National Gardening Month! With April being National Gardening Month, each week we will focus on different gardening tips.
Whether you’re new to gardening or already have an established green thumb, you must figure out what type of flowers you want to plant. Most people know the similarities of growing plants like how much light it needs, the moisture requirements, and soil requirements, but plants can also be organized by different categories – like their growth habits.
Two main groups that flowers can be organized into are annuals and perennials. The main difference between annuals and perennials is that annuals last only for one season, while perennials return each season and live for many years.
Annuals Vs Perennials
Get to know Annuals:
- Lasts for one season and needs to be planted annually.
- Adds a pop of color to your plant bed.
- Grows Quickly
Get to Know Perennials:
- Plant lives for more than two years and only the top portion dies during the cold season.
- Regrows every spring.
- Grows slowly.
In Augusta, Ga, and surrounding areas, perennial plants can be the better choice. Augusta can get really hot in the summer, making it hard for many plants to survive. Then there can be those harsh storms, but even with the tricky weather, there are certain plants that will thrive.
Here are some plants that tend to thrive in the Augusta area – these are all perennial plants:
- Azaelas
- Nandina
- Dogwoods
- Hollies
- Wisteria
- Camelias
- Roses
Perennials can be an investment, but they are a great way to maintain your landscaping without needing to replant them.
Even though perennials can be the better choice to plant in this area, don’t completely shy away from annual plants. Annual plants can be sensitive to change. Figure out how you want to plant them, whether that’s from seeds, seedlings, or developing plants. Be sure that your plants have at least 1-3 feet of space between each row for enough room to grow. Plant them in the winter so they will begin their growing process and bloom in the spring.
Once you’ve decided what you want to add to your garden this season, check out these local nurseries for your annual and perennial flowers.
Don’t forget to check back for more gardening tips all month for the month of April!
