Annuals

Annuals are plants that complete their entire life cycle—from germination to seed production—in one growing season. After flowering and producing seeds, the entire plant typically dies, and new plants must be grown from seeds or seedlings the following year.

List of Annuals for Nebraska, (Flowering Plants): https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g1774/2007/pdf/view/g1774-2007.pdf

List of Annuals for Nebraska (Foilage, Grasses, Fruit, and Vines): https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g1775/2007/pdf/view/g1775-2007.pdf

Key Points About Annuals

1. Lifespan: Annuals live for only one season. Once they’ve flowered and set seed, they die.
2. Growth Cycle: Their life cycle is rapid. They grow quickly, flower, and produce seeds all within a single growing season.
3. Types:
   • Cool-Season Annuals: These are planted in early spring or fall and thrive in cooler temperatures (e.g., pansies, snapdragons).
   • Warm-Season Annuals: These are planted after the last frost and grow best in the warmth of late spring and summer (e.g., marigolds, zinnias).
4. Maintenance: Annuals typically require more frequent planting, as new seeds or seedlings need to be sown each year. They may also require regular watering, fertilization, and deadheading (removal of spent flowers) to keep them blooming.
5. Examples:
   • Flowering Annuals: Petunias, impatiens, geraniums.
   • Vegetable Annuals: Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce.
6. Benefits:
   • Seasonal Variety: Because they need to be replanted each year, annuals offer the opportunity to change up the garden’s look and color scheme annually.
   • Prolific Bloomers: Many annuals bloom continuously throughout the growing season, providing vibrant color in the garden.
7. Use in Gardens: Annuals are often used for bright, continuous color in flower beds, containers, and borders. They’re also common in vegetable gardens due to their quick growth and productivity.