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PERENNIALS AND ANNUALS IN FLORIDA: THE DIFFERENCE

Florida Perrenials
Florida perennials are plants that come back year after year and do not need to be replanted each season. They typically have a longer lifespan than annuals and can provide a more permanent and stable presence in a garden or landscape.

Florida Annuals
Florida annuals typically refer to plants that complete their life cycle (germination, growth, reproduction, and death) within one growing season. These plants are often used for landscaping, gardening, and other horticultural purposes, and they provide seasonal color and interest.

How to Tell Which Is Which
The key difference between the two is their lifespan.

Annuals complete their life cycle within one growing season. They must be replanted each year and are typically used for their bright, seasonal color and an ornamental appeal.

Perennials come back year after year and do not need to be replanted each season. They typically have a longer lifespan than annuals and can provide a more permanent and stable presence in a garden or landscape.

Annuals are ideal for adding quick, seasonal color to a garden or landscape, but they require more frequent replacement. Perennials are more low-maintenance and provide a more permanent presence in a garden, but they may take longer to establish and may not provide as much seasonal color as annuals.

FLOWERS THAT BLOOM YEAR-ROUND IN FLORIDA

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)
Bougainvillea is a vigorous grower and can be trained to climb or kept as a shrub. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil and should be watered deeply but infrequently. Prune regularly to maintain shape and encourage new growth.

Firespike
Firespike produces spikes of red, pink, or orange tubular flowers that bloom from late summer to fall. It is well-suited to tropical landscapes and is often grown as a specimen plant. Firespike prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil and should be watered regularly. Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth.

Blue Daze (Evolvus glomeratus)
Blue Daze has blue or lavender flowers and green leaves and produces a continuous display of blooms from spring to fall. It is well-suited to sunny borders, rock gardens, and containers. Blue Daze prefers full sun and well-draining soil and should be watered regularly. Deadhead regularly to promote reblooming.

Gerbera Daisies
Gerbera daisies are often grown as annuals or as potted plants and make excellent cut flowers. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil and should be watered regularly. Deadhead regularly to promote reblooming.

Pentas (Pentas spp.)
Pentas produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, lavender, white, or rose. It is well-suited to sunny borders, rock gardens, and containers and is often grown as an annual. Pentas prefers full sun and well-draining soil and should be watered regularly. Deadhead regularly to promote reblooming.

Hibiscus
Hibiscus is well-suited to tropical and subtropical landscapes and can be trained to climb or be kept as a shrub. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil and should be watered deeply but infrequently. Prune regularly to maintain shape and encourage new growth.

Vinca (Vinca spp.)
Vinca produces small, star-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, or pink and is well-suited to sunny borders, rock gardens, and containers. Vinca prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil and should be watered regularly. Deadhead regularly to promote reblooming.

Blanket Flower
Blanket flower is a drought-tolerant perennial flowering plant with daisy-like flowers that come in various colors, including yellow, orange, red, and maroon. It is well-suited to sunny borders and rock gardens and prefers well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade.

Ixora
Ixora is an evergreen shrub that produces clusters of brightly colored flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink. It is well-suited to tropical landscapes and prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Ixora should be watered regularly and can be trimmed to shape as desired.

Lantana
Lantana is a tropical perennial that produces clusters of brightly colored flowers in shades of orange, yellow, pink, and purple. It is well-suited to sunny borders, rock gardens, and containers, and prefers well-draining soil and full sun. Lantana should be watered regularly and deadheaded regularly to promote reblooming.

Knock Out Roses
Knock out roses are a group of hybrid roses that produce large, single, or double blooms in shades of pink, red, and yellow. Knock Out roses are well-suited to sunny borders and containers, and prefer well-draining soil and full sun. They should be watered regularly and pruned as needed.

Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia)
Mexican heather is a low-growing shrub that produces small, tubular flowers in shades of pink, lavender, or white. Mexican heather is well-suited to sunny borders and containers and prefers well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. It should be watered regularly and trimmed as needed.

Petunias (Petunia spp.)
Petunias are a group of flowering annuals that produce large, trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors including pink, purple, red, yellow, and white. Petunias are well-suited to sunny borders and containers and prefer well-draining soil and full sun. They should be watered regularly and deadheaded regularly to promote reblooming.

Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Salvias are a group of flowering perennials and annuals that produce spikes of tubular flowers in various colors including blue, purple, red, and pink. Salvia is well-suited to sunny borders and rock gardens and prefers well-draining soil and full sun. It should be watered regularly and deadheaded regularly to promote reblooming.

Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)
Plumbago is a tropical shrub that produces spikes of blue or white flowers that bloom year-round in warm climates. Plumbago is well-suited to sunny borders and containers and prefers well-draining soil and full sun. It should be watered regularly and trimmed as needed.

TIPS FOR BEAUTIFUL ANNUAL FLOWERS

What Is an Annual?
An annual is a type of plant that only lives for one season. While it may seem like a waste of time to plant them, annuals can offer long-lasting blooms throughout the spring, summer, and even fall for some species. These plants can add gorgeous, colorful accents to your landscape with their unique leaves and blooms.

Warm and Cold Season Annuals
It’s important to know when to plant annuals, as they are divided into two categories: warm season and cold season. To get the best results, make sure you’re buying warm-season annuals for your spring planting. It’s important to properly prepare the soil and maintain the plants so they can remain healthy and provide the desired color for as long as possible.

Preparing Your Beds
To grow healthy and beautiful Florida Annual Flowers, it is crucial to properly prepare the beds before planting. The following steps can help ensure the best results:

  • Till or spade the planting area to a depth of at least 6 inches a few weeks before planting, and remove any visible weeds and old plant material. Add 2 to 3 inches of organic matter such as compost, peat, or potting soil to increase the soil’s nutrients.
  • Fertilize the soil prior to planting using a controlled-release fertilizer that matches the type of Annuals you will be planting.
  • Choose Florida annual flowers based on the amount of sunlight in the area where they will be planted. Some plants can handle full sun all day, while others may do better with only a few hours of morning or afternoon sun.
  • Use a fumigant to prevent nematodes, which can be damaging to Annuals. It is highly recommended to have the soil checked for nematodes before planting.

Choosing Warm Season Annuals
A variety of warm-season Florida annual flowers are available for you to choose from, including popular options like Marigolds, Begonias, Zinnias, Sunflowers, Pentas, and Salvia, among others. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is a valuable resource for information on different types of Florida annual flowers and how to get the best results. You can find helpful information by using their A-Z Index for Annuals.

Planting Your Flowers
Finally, it’s time to plant your Florida Annual Flowers for spring. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Determine the appropriate spacing between each plant, taking into account the mature size of each species.
  • Dig a hole 4-6 inches deep and twice as wide as the root ball of the plant.
  • Water the plant before planting to loosen the soil and make transplanting easier.
  • Place the plant into the ground, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil. If planting seeds, follow the instructions on the packet.
  • Pot-in-pot planting is another option, where you bury a pot and insert potted annuals into the empty pot. This method provides an easier maintenance experience as the annuals come with their own fertilized soil and are less prone to root competition or nematode infestation. However, it may require more frequent watering.
  • Cover the area with mulch to conserve moisture and prevent weed growth.
  • Water daily.

Care and Maintenance
In order to keep your Florida Annual Flowers healthy and thriving, it’s important to follow a few basic maintenance steps.

Here are a few tips to help you provide the best care for your beautiful Annuals:

  • Be careful when watering your annuals, and make sure to water from the soil and roots rather than from above with a hose or sprinkler. This can help prevent damage to delicate petals and reduce the risk of rot.
  • Control weeds by adding mulch, hand-weeding, or using a pre-emergent herbicide. Make sure to use an herbicide that is safe for annuals.
  • Regularly fertilize your Annuals to ensure they receive adequate nutrients throughout the season. Choose a fertilizer that is suitable for the type of Annuals you have planted.
  • Pruning can help promote growth and improve the overall appearance of your Annuals. Consider deadheading regularly to remove spent blooms and pinching stem tips to control size and shape.
  • Regularly monitor your Annuals for any signs of disease or insect infestations, and address any problems promptly to prevent the spread of issues throughout your flower bed.

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