What are the pros and cons of annuals and perennials?
Though many gardeners tend to consider perennials superior to annuals because of their longevity, the reality is that the most successful wildflower meadows are achieved by combining the two. It is this complimentary synthesis (and biennials as well) that we feel usually results in the most successful, attractive, and affordable wildflower gardens. The annuals tend to be the most colorful, and also provide the “instant gratification” of first year bloom. They also tend to bloom much longer (a few months vs. a few weeks) and are generally less expensive. The downside, of course, is that they will typically last only one season. The perennials, on the other hand, provide lasting color for successive years, but do not establish bloom until the season after which they were planted.
