What is your favorite annual or perennial?

Discussion in 'Flower Gardening' started by herbmate, Feb 11, 2011.

  1. herbmate

    herbmate New Seed

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2011
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Florida
    I was just wandering what some of you excellent flower gardeners most favorite annual and perennials are. Why do you like them and how do you use them. thanks look forward to your answers.
     
    Annette likes this.
  2. Loading...


  3. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,404
    Likes Received:
    13,480
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    That's a great question, and one that's really hard to answer. Generally, my favorite is whatever is in bloom and in front of me!
    If I could plant only one perennial, I'd cry, and then plant roses. I adore roses!
    Annuals, I suppose zinnias, because they have such variety and our bees like them. Of course, I like cosmos too, and they come in different shapes and colors. Not too crazy about marigolds, except in the veggie garden to repel nematodes.
    Thank heavens I don't have to choose and plant only one!
     
    happyzinnia likes this.
  4. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2007
    Messages:
    12,067
    Likes Received:
    3,501
    Location:
    Western Norway
    What marlingardener said. Whatever's in bloom at the time. :D

    I'm partial to hostas of all shapes and sizes, so I guess they're my favourite, but I can't choose one of my babies over another. :D
     
    happyzinnia likes this.
  5. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2006
    Messages:
    18,358
    Likes Received:
    5,224
    Location:
    Southern Ontario zone 5b
    My favorite perennial is Peony - they are very pretty, smell amazing and are very long lived and hardy.
    My favorite annual is now Zinnia's. They come in many sizes and colors, they are long blooming, tolerate periods of drought and attract bees and butterflies.
     
    happyzinnia likes this.



    Advertisement
  6. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2005
    Messages:
    29,088
    Likes Received:
    6,277
    Location:
    Scotland
    So many to choose from I don't think I can pick just one. I love pansies, violas, primroses and all the spring flowering bulbs. I always look forward to seeing my magnolia trees when they're in flower and my honeysuckle and forsythia.
     
    happyzinnia likes this.
  7. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2010
    Messages:
    7,178
    Likes Received:
    3,022
    Location:
    Chelmsford MA
    Daylilies, not only do they provide a variety of color but I can eat them too.

    Jerry
     
    happyzinnia likes this.
  8. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,404
    Likes Received:
    13,480
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    Jerry, if I could grow daylilies like you do, they'd be my favorite, too!
     
    happyzinnia likes this.
  9. stratsmom

    stratsmom Flower Fanatic

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2006
    Messages:
    4,086
    Likes Received:
    700
    Location:
    Southern Oregon
    My favorite annual is a deep red geranium!! My favorite perennial is a fluffy peony :-D My favorite shrub is a lilac ;)
     
    happyzinnia likes this.
  10. herbmate

    herbmate New Seed

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2011
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Florida
    that is one thing cool about sites like this you get tons of insights from around the world. I particular like Gerber Daisies. I also like pansies. Like many people here their are a lot too choose from, it's like a lays potato chip you cant just have one.
     
    happyzinnia likes this.
  11. Kay

    Kay Girl with Green Thumbs

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2009
    Messages:
    2,344
    Likes Received:
    797
    Location:
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    Very well said herbmate!
    Like the others, I have a tough time singling out favorites, there are so many!
    I have a lot of shade, and have really gotten attached to my shade lovers. Hosta, Astilbe, Heuchera, Ferns, Bleeding Heart, Lady's Mantle, Brunnera, Soloman's Seal.....
    I guess that's enough (for now) :stew2:
     
    happyzinnia likes this.
  12. lukeypukey

    lukeypukey In Flower

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2011
    Messages:
    610
    Likes Received:
    224
    Location:
    grimsby uk
    gazania :)
     
    happyzinnia likes this.
  13. Annette

    Annette Seedling

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2007
    Messages:
    219
    Likes Received:
    34
    Location:
    buffalo, ny
    :-D my favorite bulbs are my grape hyacinths, my favorite perennial has to be my baptisia. i like how it stays green all summer and looks like a big bush (i do need to divide it)....my favorite annual has to be a toss up between cosmos & gazanias.....can't wait for all this snow to melt...and the crocuses to start popping!
     
    happyzinnia likes this.
  14. Petronius

    Petronius Young Pine

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2018
    Messages:
    1,344
    Likes Received:
    608
    I like snapdragons because of the various assortment of colors.
    I like tulips because of all the different styles of petals and the two tone colors of some tulips such as Rembrandt Tulips.
     

Share This Page