Annuals vs. Perennials
Choosing between annuals and perennials is one of the first decisions that shapes both the look and the upkeep of your garden. Here's how they compare.
Annuals
Annuals complete their whole life cycle in one growing season, sprouting, flowering, seeding, and dying within the year. That single-season push means vibrant, near-continuous blooms and the freedom to redesign your garden every year, though they do need replanting annually and tend to want more frequent watering and feeding.
Perennials
Perennials live for more than two years, dying back each fall and returning from the rootstock each spring. Once established they come back reliably with less upkeep, making them a strong long-term investment, though they're slower to establish and harder to move once planted.
Best of Both Worlds
Many gardeners mix the two: perennials provide a stable, year-round structure, while annuals fill in with seasonal colour and variety wherever it's needed.