Annual Flower Growing Guide

Introduction

Growing annual flowers is a great way to make your yard pop with color. Many people choose annuals because they don’t have to worry about them dying in the winter, but they do need proper care to look their best all season long!

What are annuals?

Annuals are plants that grow and bloom in one season. They are not hardy, i.e., they cannot survive in the winter (unless you live in a tropical climate). Annuals are usually grown from seeds or cuttings, which means they’re also easy to grow as well!

Annuals vs. perennials

There’s a difference between annuals and perennials. Perennials are plants that live for more than 2 years, while annuals die after flowering. However, there are some exceptions: some annual plants may be grown as perennial plants if they are sown every year; other annuals can be grown as biennials (they only bloom after their second year).

How do I grow annuals from seeds?

When it comes time to plant your annual seeds, you’ll need to start with a good seed starting mix. There are many different types of seed starter mixes available, but I’ve found that the best are those made specifically for flower seeds.

If you’re using a bag of potting soil or topsoil, make sure it’s moist before adding it to your containers. You don’t want dry soil around your new plants when they’re just starting out!

Once you’ve got everything ready and moistened appropriately (and not too wet), carefully drop each seed into its container as indicated on its package instructions (this will vary depending on variety). Plant at least one inch apart from one another so they have room to grow once they germinate and sprout leaves. Once planted, cover with 1/4-inch more soil or vermiculite mixture over the seeds until only their tips peek out slightly above ground level—this helps prevent fungus growth since most fungal diseases like damp conditions.[2] Lastly: water well until water drains back through drainage holes in bottom tray(s).[3]

How much sun do annual flowers need?

When it comes to sunlight, annuals have different needs than perennials and trees. Annual flowers are plants that grow for only one season, so they don’t have a deep root system and usually grow from seeds instead of from bulbs or other dormant parts. Many gardeners plant annuals in pots or raised beds because these areas get more sun than the ground. In general, most types of annuals need at least six hours of full sunlight each day to thrive—if your garden doesn’t get this much light, consider moving your pots closer to where you spend most of your time (for example, near a patio or on a porch).

Flowers like direct sunlight

Flowers like direct sunlight. You should be able to give your flowers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, but if you can’t get this much, supplement with artificial light.
If you don’t have the time or ability to provide 6 hours of direct sunlight, you can still grow beautiful flowers.
The next section will help you determine whether or not you have enough sun for your favorite plants and what supplemental lighting options are available for those who don’t have access to natural daylight

Flowers that tolerate partial shade

Dwarf geraniums
Hybrid tea roses
Calibrachoa (also known as Million Bells)
Hydrangeas. These are especially beautiful in a hanging basket, and some varieties can be kept smaller by cutting off the spent blooms. Try `New Dawn’ for pink or `Blue Mink’ for blue flowers. Hydrangeas also do well in shade but not too much of it, so consider planting them on the north side of your house or against a fence or wall, where they will get morning sun but will still be shaded later in the day.
Zinnias—try ‘Dazzle’ zinnia seedlings! They’re huge plants with big blooms that last all summer long!

Adjust your watering schedule

Use a drip irrigation system. If you use an overhead sprinkler or hose, the water will evaporate before it reaches your plants’ roots.
Water in the morning, if possible. When you water early in the day, it gives your plants enough time to drain out any excess moisture before nightfall and helps prevent fungus growth that can harm your flowers
If watering at night is unavoidable due to work schedules and other commitments, try not to put off watering until after 8 p.m., because many types of flowers prefer their roots dry overnight

Fertilize your flowers regularly for best results.

Fertilize your plants regularly for best results. Your flowers will grow and bloom better if you provide them with a steady supply of nutrients. Plants can be fertilized in several ways:
With commercial organic or chemical fertilizers, which tend to have higher concentrations of these nutrients than soil does.
By incorporating compost into the soil, which adds organic matter that contains nutrients that are slowly released over time as they decompose.
By side dressing your flower beds with compost in early spring or whenever the ground is not frozen during winter months when there’s less growth going on but still plenty of sunlight available (this is called “top-dressing”).

Deadheading is a must for many annuals.

Deadheading is the process of removing dead flowers from your annuals. This is important because it keeps your flowers blooming longer and healthier, and helps keep your plants looking tidy.

Many annuals are biennials, which means they take two years to flower (and often produce seeds) before they die. If you don’t remove the dead flowers, you won’t have any new growth on your plants; and if you don’t get any new growth, there won’t be anything left of them by their second year!

There are many different kinds of annual plants and they can be grown easily with care

Annual flowers are plants that live for one year, and they can be grown easily with care. They are the most common type of flower, and their seeds can be easily purchased at any nursery.

Annuals can also be grown from cuttings or division. The plant will grow roots and become a new plant if you place it in soil, water it regularly, and provide enough sunlight.

Conclusion

Now that you’re a little more familiar with annual flowers, we recommend trying to grow at least one of them. There are so many different varieties and colors, it can be difficult to choose just one. In fact, if you have enough space in your garden or on your balcony then we encourage you to plant several varieties of annuals! It will take some time before they bloom but once they do their beauty will last from spring through summer.