How to make the most of Annuals

‘Live fast, die young’ may be their motto, but annuals are invaluable for summer colour. Louise Curley reveals your best options for different garden schemes

- Louise Curley

GROWING annuals can seem like a lot of effort. There’s the sowing and nurturing indoors, the hardening off and planting outside – and all this for plants that will survive only one season. Then there are the trays, pots and propagators you will need, plus, in an ideal world, a greenhouse and a cold frame. You can’t help wondering whether it’s worth it.

The answer is, of course, a resounding yes, it is worth it. Annuals open up a world of exciting plants; even their ephemeral nature can be an advantage, allowing you to create different looks and themes in your garden each year, such as pretty pastels, exuberant exotics or a wild, naturalistic feel with grasses and meadow flowers.

Also, the fact that they need to flower and set seed in a short space of time means they are fast growing, so you don’t have to wait long to see the fruits of your labours. This can make annuals particularly useful if you’ve moved into a new garden and want some instant colour and interest, or if you’re renting and don’t want to spend money on more permanent perennials and shrubs.

Most annuals will grow happily in pots; they can plug gaps in your borders and some put on an amazing amount of growth in a short space of time, adding height to borders. Annual climbers will quickly scramble over an unsightly wall or fence; there are scented ones, and some supplement their pretty flowers with stunning seed pods that add another element to the garden as summer fades into autumn.

What’s more (and, arguably, best of all), annuals are great value for money. With packets of seed costing just a couple of pounds each, you can have a summer garden packed with colour without spending a fortune.