Perennials vs Annuals: What’s the difference?
Perennials are flowers that come back, as the category of flowers suggests, every year whereas annuals are only good, typically, for 1 growing season (unless they reseed). Some examples of perennials are Echinacea, Rudbeckia and Hostas. Examples of annuals would be flowers such as Begonias, Impatiens and Marigolds. Another difference between the 2 are that perennials really don’t bloom all growing season, yet most annuals do. They provide good fill in color around perennials.
What is a pollinator?
Pollinators are creatures in the animal kingdom that not only are very pretty, but very beneficial as well. Bees of all kinds, and I’ll include wasps and hornets in that general category, butterflies and moths and even hummingbirds are all beneficial pollinators. I know what you’re thinking…how is a hummingbird a pollinator? Well, when they go from flower to flower drinking the nectar, they very easily can have pollen stuck to their proboscis, thus spreading it around. As far as the term beneficial insect is concerned, we can talk about that another time.
Why are pollinators important and the flowers they prefer equally important?
Pollinators are important for a very simple reason…they make food for us all while consuming food for themselves. Honey, all kinds of fruits, medicine, etc. all benefit from pollinators and yes, the flowers they like are extremely important. Let’s get real…without those flowers, the food source is gone. But it’s not just flowers we plant, but things that are native growing in your lawn (if you’re organic) or in a field. Clover, oxalis, dandelions etc. are so important. Did you know that dandelions are one of the first foods blooming for our pollinators. I know they are annoying in our lawns, but they more than serve a purpose.
So, will you finally clue us in on good perennials that supply food and beauty all season?
Yes! In the spring season, bees and butterflies may rely on some early annuals and the clovers and dandelions I was speaking about earlier, but then move onto Scabiosa, Bachelor’s Buttons and the like. Moving into late spring and summer, pollinators (now including the returning hummingbirds) are into Black Eyed Susans, Coneflowers, all kinds of Milkweed and Cardinal Flowers to name a few. And annuals like Salvia are very important. Then towards August, you have plants that will take you into fall. These flowers may be the most important flowers you can have because they are exactly what the pollinators like butterflies, especially Monarchs, and hummingbirds need to sustain them on their long journeys back to warmer climates like Mexico. Flowers like Henry Eiler’s Sweet Coneflowers, Asters, NY Ironweed and Boneset are perfect and here it comes…the most important flower of fall is the flower that forms on English Ivy. You had no idea right? I must say, those Ivy flowers smell horrible, but their benefits far outweigh that stink. Check out my YouTube video where I talk about the all important English Ivy.
What can we do to help?
That’s easy…spend quality time outside, plant some beneficial flowers and plants for our beneficial insects and birds, and enjoy the symbiotic relationship between nature and man.
*** Plant Health Organics is a 100% Organic land care company serving Central NJ and Bucks County PA. We are PROUD of the work we do and know full well that what we do is BEST for you and our world. Contact us at 908-335-0553.***
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