How2Day: Common Annual Plants

Annuals provide a yearly treat of colorful blooms. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Thoughts of designing a garden or landscape bring to mind several types of plants. Annuals, which begin and end their life cycles in one year, are generally easy to care for and are a pleasure for the eyes. Gardeners anticipate the coming of spring, when nurseries and garden centers begin stocking garden and landscape needs, as well as an abundance of these often colorful plants.

Flowering cabbage is increasing in popularity as an annual landscaping plant due to its unusual appearance and ability to tolerate cold temperatures. A good complementary plant to the chrysanthemum, flowering cabbage keeps its color, which actually intensifies into December. The "flower" refers to the central leaves of the head, which changes colors when subjected to lower fall temperatures. When shopping for flowering cabbage, look for compact heads with strong color. Drip irrigation or automatic watering is the preferred method of providing moisture, as water stress from other methods has an undesirable affect on the leaves.

There are more than 150 species of lantana, which was used in the past for its medicinal properties. A member of the Verbenaceae family, lantana flowers from early spring to the first frost of winter. Lantana grows wild in some regions and is considered to be a weed. It is drought tolerant and makes a good container plant. The trailing variety is used for hanging baskets and the dwarf variety is finding popularity as a bedding plant. Flowers are small and clustered and come in several colors, including white, yellow, purple, red and orange.

These colorful annuals liven up many lawns and patios each year. The many varieties of petunia make them good choices for hanging baskets, borders, ground cover and window boxes. Plant in well-draining soil in full sun for abundant flowers. The practice of "deadheading," or removing the faded blooms, encourages blooming and gives the plant a well-groomed appearance.

Best known for its herbal properties, verbena also makes a fragrant landscape plant. It produces light green leaves that emit a lemony scent and flavor. This plant prefers full sun and warm temperatures. A quirky characteristic of verbena is the dropping of its leaves when the temperature dips. If this is an occasional cool night, the plant will perk back up when the temperature rises again. Depending on the region where the plant is grown, it reaches heights from 3 feet to 12 feet.

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