Incorporating Annuals into Bulb and Perennial Gardens

So, you already have a perennial or bulb garden or perhaps a combination of both. What do you do to cover up the remains of tulips and hyacinth bulbs? What do you do when your early blooming perennials don`t continue to flower all summer long and you have time gaps with little or no color? Simply add in some annuals.

A mixed bed of perennials, bulbs and annuals can be very beautiful and fulfilling as a gardener. Because there is such a wide range of flower colors & shapes, foliage textures, and plant habits (spreading to very tall), it can be difficult to narrow down all the possibilities (pictured: Osteospermum `Soprano Pink`). Your keys to success in choosing annuals either on your own or with the help of one of our employees is to understand the garden environment and your goals and personal tastes.

The first and best way to narrow down your choices is to have a good understanding of the soil, light and water requirements for your garden. The most important reason behind knowing these requirements is to ensure that your annuals, and for that matter your perennials, can survive in the environment they are planted. For example, there are some annuals that will do poorly in a hot area next to a retaining wall or in a rock garden while others will not thrive in an area that has limited drainage and poor quality soil. Knowing these requirements will save you a lot of hassle (and money) in the long run and make your experiences more successful.

So, you already have a perennial or bulb garden or perhaps a combination of both. What do you do to cover up the remains of tulips and hyacinth bulbs? What do you do when your early blooming perennials don`t continue to flower all summer long and you have time gaps with little or no color? Simply add in some annuals.

A mixed bed of perennials, bulbs and annuals can be very beautiful and fulfilling as a gardener. Because there is such a wide range of flower colors & shapes, foliage textures, and plant habits (spreading to very tall), it can be difficult to narrow down all the possibilities (pictured: Osteospermum `Soprano Pink`). Your keys to success in choosing annuals either on your own or with the help of one of our employees is to understand the garden environment and your goals and personal tastes.

The first and best way to narrow down your choices is to have a good understanding of the soil, light and water requirements for your garden. The most important reason behind knowing these requirements is to ensure that your annuals, and for that matter your perennials, can survive in the environment they are planted. For example, there are some annuals that will do poorly in a hot area next to a retaining wall or in a rock garden while others will not thrive in an area that has limited drainage and poor quality soil. Knowing these requirements will save you a lot of hassle (and money) in the long run and make your experiences more successful.

The second item to consider is, what are you trying to accomplish by planting in annuals? Is there a garden theme that you want to establish or maintain- color, texture, fragrance, cottage garden, etc.? Are you hoping to have flower color throughout the summer or do you like to have fresh cut flowers on a regular basis? Are you looking for foliage interest or contrasting colors? Do you want plants and flowers that will give off a fragrance? Are you trying to deter pests from your garden? These are all questions that you personally must decide before you begin planting.

A Linder`s staff member can always give you many suggestions, but remember it is your garden. Your personal taste and requirements can only be decided by you. Keep a journal from year to year to remember what you liked or disliked from last season. Chances are your tastes are going to change from season to season. Not to mention the introduction of new and interesting varieties each year will also sway your decisions. Gardening with annuals is a series of trials and errors, identifying your garden`s environment, the effect you are striving for, and your personal tastes will make the process easier, more successful and thus a fun and enjoyable endeavor.