Annual Blooming Flowers

Definition

• Annual flowers complete their entire life cycle in one year, as opposed to perennials, which live for three or more seasons, and biennials, which survive for two years. Although their life cycle is the shortest of any flower type, they tend to have longer blooming periods.

Time Frame

• Annuals usually emerge in the spring and bloom throughout late spring, summer and sometimes early fall. The first frost of the year typically halts the blooming period. They often bloom earlier than perennials and biennials and last longer into the colder months.

Types

• Among annual blooming flowers are snapdragons, African daisies, marigolds, chrysanthemums, cosmos, foxglove and poppies. Some flowers that are considered annuals in the northern, colder states---including lantanas, geraniums and vinca---may be treated as perennials when planted in the warmer southern climates.