This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
What is the difference between an annual plant and a perennial plant? This question lives a lot of people and is frequently asked in garden centres. Learn how to tell them apart.
What is an annual plant?
As its name suggests, the annual completes its growth cycle in one year (or one season) in our climate. These plants are not programmed to survive our harsh winters, except for some that can be brought indoors until the following spring. The undeniable advantage of annuals is their abundant flowering which rarely falters after only a few weeks of cultivation. In addition, since they do not come back the following year, they allow us to change our style each time.
Top 3 annual plants
Centaurea ‘Mercury’
With its velvety soft foliage, this surprising annual will show off all the colors of foliage and flowers in your container arrangements. Winner of Les Exceptionnelles 2022.
• Resistant to insects and diseases
• Sun / shade
• Height: 30cm
• Width: 30cm
Salvia ‘Hummingbird Falls’
Its pretty blue flowers with a black calyx will be visited by hummingbirds and pollinators as soon as they appear in the plants. To incorporate in containers or flower beds, as much with vibrant colors, such as yellow and orange, as gray, pink and white.
• Attracts pollinators
• Sun
• Height: 30-60cm
• Width: 45-75cm
Zinnia ‘Profusion Yellow Bicolor’
An annual that has won honors in several selections all over the horticultural world. A winner of Les Exceptionnelles 2022. Its yellow petals are adorned in the center with a reddish halo. As it ages, the flowers turn salmon, apricot, and pink, making it a friendly annual that seems to wear many colors on the same plant.
• Vigorous and disease resistant
• Sun
• Height: 20-30cm
• Width: 25-30cm
What is a perennial plant?
The perennial is a plant that comes back every year, after having spent the winter under the snow. It pushes back from the base thanks to its root system, despite the fact that all its foliage dies when the first cold weather arrives, unless it is persistent. Most perennials can be divided when they take up too much space. The best times to perform this task are in spring or late summer/autumn, depending on when they bloom.
Top 3 perennials
Nepeta ‘Picture Purrfect’
A really compact version of the Nepetas already on the market. Its blue-purple flowers are also larger.
• Tolerates drought
• Attracts pollinators
• Sun
• Area 3
• Height: 25-30cm
• Width: 55-60cm
Echinacea Dark Shadows ‘Wicked’
This new Echinacea will take effect in your landscaping with its bright pink flowers like the inside of a watermelon. Compact and upright habit, prolonged flowering. Its stems are very dark and contrast well with the foliage.
• Attracts pollinators
• Very floriferous
• Sun
• Area 4
• Height: 35-40cm
• Width: 35-40cm
Leucanthemum Real Charmer
This pale yellow daisy is distinguished by its fringed petals arranged around a golden heart. Prolonged flowering, from July to September. Use as an annual in cooler regions.
• Attracts butterflies
• Disease resistant
• Sun/partial shade
• Area 5
• Height: 55cm
• Width: 45cm