Sea of Sparkles at Sunrise

A sea of sparkles at sunrise

A crisp October morning… I awake to a sea of sparkles coating the grass and the flowers in my garden… a frosty finish for most annuals residing there!   Some landscape designers refrain from including annuals in their designs because of their temporary qualities.  But often annuals are strong performers during the entire growing season, 4 – 5 months; should they be dismissed so easily? 

If you choose to exclude annuals, you might be missing a favorite of mine, the genus Osteospermum, shown here.  (aka,  South African Daisy… more than 30 different species are available.  In its native homeland, it can perform as a perennial… but not here in Wisconsin!)   

The cultivar I chose for my garden this year is called “Summertime Blueberry,” and I was quite impressed with its deep lavender blooms and blue-violet centers.   I enjoyed this display from mid-May through mid-October.   A single plant is a full 24” wide and despite a few frosty mornings, is still green and growing in late October… a pretty impressive performance!

Pockets of annuals nestle nicely among groupings of perennials and shrubs; annuals definitely qualify as compatible plantings.   While annuals might flower continuously 4 -  5 months, many perennials and shrubs produce blooms for a brief 2 – 3 week period.  Annuals provide an ongoing “pop” of color; annuals also can be used as cut flowers and in container plantings.

I’m not suggesting you plant annuals exclusively, but you might give them a space in your garden design for next season.   Added bonus:  the brightly colored petals of annual flowers  serve as beacons for your local butterflies!

M. Lynn Schmid,   Certified Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture