As a practical matter, an annual plant is something that is basically cold sensitive, valued for it’s ornamental characteristics in summer, and generally does not survive the winter. Even though vegetables are also annuals for the most part, we label them as vegetables, meaning plants we use for culinary purposes.

Often included in the grouping of annuals are the following types of plants: true annuals, such as sunflowers, marigolds and zinnias; tender and half-hardy perennials, such as petunias, pansies and snapdragons; biennials, such as foxgloves, hollyhocks and sweet William; and tender shrubs, such as lantanas, fuchsias and hibiscus.

Though annuals alone don’t necessarily make a garden - since they offer no permanent structure that perennials, trees, shrubs, paths, garden ornaments or furniture provide – they typically give a home garden fast growth and an abundance of blooms. They seize the day, so to speak, as they have limited time to thrive, and as such, tend to be great performers.

Though some people think of annuals in terms of the few varieties seen at a shopping mall parking border or office building plant bed, there are many unusual, distinct and exotic choices for annual plants suitable for the home garden. Browse our database of annuals to get inspired. Try starting annuals from seed. Or, learn more from members’ posts and questions.