10 Easy Annuals for Beginning Gardeners
You don’t need a green thumb to grow beautiful flowers in your yard or on your patio this season. Build your confidence as a gardener by starting with these annuals that are easy to plant and will give you satisfying results in a short amount of time. An annual is a plant that you must replant each season. That’s as opposed to a perennial, which will become dormant over the winter and come up again the next spring. Perennials are somewhat harder to care for than annuals, and they often require you to wait for the results of your labor. You can start annuals from seeds, or you can buy small plants at a garden store. Purchasing the plants is the way to get excellent results immediately. Here are 10 easy annuals to start your gardening adventures.
Geraniums also have a particular scent that many people enjoy. Grow geraniums in containers with good drainage. Pinch off the flowers as they begin to dry, and the plant will use its energy for more blooms and not become leggy. They like a lot of sunlight, so place them in a spot where they will get plenty of it.
Impatiens New Guinea New Guinea impatiens will tolerate more sun than their sister plants, walleriana impatiens. They have striking leaves in dark green and flowers that are pink or white. Keep them moist, and they will generate. New Guinea impatiens make excellent container plants but also look terrific when planted in large groups in a flower bed.
Begonias
Impatiens Walleriana
Begonias are pretty plants that bloom in pink, orange, red, and yellow. They are excellent in containers on your porch and will thrive in partial shade.
Walleriana impatiens have lovely, delicate flowers in pink, red, white or salmon that grow in cascades. They are perfect for hanging baskets on a porch or in a shaded area.
Make sure you plant your begonias in soil that drains well and water them consistently. Ideally, you want the ground to be moist but not dense with water. Pinch off the flowers as they dry out so new ones can grow.
Walleriana impatiens will thrive in partial shade but can become scorched in full sun. They will grow in mounds along a border that is shaded by larger plants.
Geraniums These traditional summer flowers are usually seen in a dramatic red but also come in pink. They bring clusters of small flowers that come together into a beautiful burst of color. March 2019 | 50 + Living
Marigolds Marigolds are hardy little flowers that are an excellent choice for beginners and even children. They are easy to plant in containers and look nice when displayed in groups. continued on page 5 Page 3
