Any plant that grows, flowers, produces seeds and dies over the course of one year is considered an annual.

Annuals are an excellent way to ensure colour in your yard all summer long. Use in borders, in beds or to fill open spaces between immature shrubs and trees. They over flow hanging baskets and window boxes, as well as creep up walls or trellises. The variety of uses and colour combinations is endless.

Annuals grow between our spring and fall frosts, more or less.

So, that means they only grow for one season, yes some you can bring in for winter, but most just do their thing while they can and that's for another time.

The beautiful part about annuals is that they flower throughout this period readily and happily.

Annuals offer colour all summer long by blooming without a rest period. They come in countless sizes, shades and shapes which makes them very versatile in the yard. Some varieties can grow in sun and shade and they can be used in planters, hangers, beds, basically, anywhere where you can get them in soil. They will grow in pretty much any container with drainage. Since they flower all summer without a break, they can add a dimension to your space that most other plants can't. When you get them here, they are already blooming and as time goes on with proper care they are only going to get better!

What do annuals need? Well, that varies by variety, but generally speaking, they are heavy feeders and often heavy drinkers. This means if you want the best flowers you can get, you should be watering and fertilizing as needed all season. There's no way we can go through the exact schedule of every plant, so let's just use the rules of thumb.

Annuals grow between our spring and fall frosts, more or less.

So, that means they only grow for one season, yes some you can bring in for winter, but most just do their thing while they can and that's for another time.

The beautiful part about annuals is that they flower throughout this period readily and happily.

You can purchase annuals in both seed and seedling form.

Sow seeds either indoors or outdoors, depending on the growth requirements of the individual plants. Annual seeds that require a longer period of growth should be started indoors. These plants are identified in the chart portion of the Annual section.

With Calgary's short growing season, it's usually best to plant annuals in seedling form after the last chance of frost.

Note: When choosing a spot to plant, consider the annual's growth habit. Position tall plants at the back of beds where they will not block the view of smaller plants.

Sunlight:

Try Marigolds and Snapdragons. They grow fast in the full sun to light shade. These annuals are heavy drinkers, so water regularly.

Shade:

Try Impatiens, Begonias or Fuchsias. Let them dry slightly Between watering.

In some cases it will also prevent your flowers from going to seed. Just think the more you pick the flowers the more flowers you will have.

Remember:

Fertilize your annuals every ten days with Nurseryland Power Bloom for healthier plants and beautiful flowers. Remove spent Blossoms to encourage further blooming.

Pre-planting Annual plants

Introduce yourself to the new varieties of annuals each spring.

Selection

Introduce yourself to the new varieties of annuals each spring. Look for shade tolerant annuals for shady locations and sun loving annuals for hot, sunny locations. Decide where you require color in your yard for the months of May to September. For the best success choose vigorously growing plants that are dark green, short in height, and just about to bloom.

Soil preparation

Garden and Bed Soil Preparation Ideally, soil preparation for the planting of seeds and seedlings will be done in the fall. If this is not possible, however, organic material, such as compost or manure, should be worked into the soil in the spring. This will help the soil retain moisture, improve drainage, add oxygen and improve root growth.

Fall soil preparation

Remove all garden debris from planting site and add to composter for future use.

Spread layer of organic material several inches thick over area. Compost or manure is ideal for this.

Turn organic material into existing soil using a gardening fork. Note: Large lumps should be left in the soil at this point. Frost helps to break soil into a less dense soil structure, ideal for plant growth and moisture retention.

Turn again in the spring, shortly before planting. Break down large lumps of soil with a garden fork.

Note: Slow release fertilizer can be turned into the garden at this point, if desired.

Spring soil preparation

Remove all garden debris from planting site a few weeks before planting.

Turn existing soil using gardening fork, breaking up lumps.

Add 4-6" of organic material and turn over again.

Note: Gypsum can be added to heavy clay soil to make it easier to dig in organic material.

Pre-planting care

Store bedding-out plants that can not be planted the same day they are purchased in a shady location. Water the packs or flats well to prevent wilting.

Planting annual plants - gardener's secrets

Instantly add greenery and colour to your beds

For instant results, or a quick start for plants that need more time to complete their life cycle than Calgary's climate allows, seedlings are the perfect fit. They can instantly add greenery and colour to your beds. In Calgary, spring frosts can last until late May. For that reason, many area gardeners wait until at least June 1 to plant their seedlings outdoors.

The best time to plant annuals is on evenings or cloudy days when it is cooler outside. If planting on warm, sunny days make sure that annuals are watered immediately. Apply a root start (10-60-10) which stimulates rooting. Individually packaged annuals are easy to remove from their packs for planting. If plants are not individually planted, gently separate one plant from another, keeping as much of the root ball together as possible. In either case plant the root ball just below the soil line. If annuals are planted in peat pots, plant the peat pot below the soil line to prevent the pot and the root system from drying out due to air exposure. Be sure to leave adequate room for annuals to develop.

Placement & Planting Tips

Place plants according to sun/shade tolerance. Also consider growing conditions, such as downspouts, and shady spots.

Plant slightly deeper than pot level, usually about 1cm. Cover the old root ball.

Start seeds indoors according to the seeding dates on pages 11 & 12 of this book. Beginning gardeners might want to try the Jiffy Professional Greenhouse.

Seeds for annuals can be planted outdoors as soon as the ground can be worked. McKenzie Seeds offers a huge variety of quality seeds.

Watering Tips

Water slowly and deeply, soaking the root ball regularly depending on conditions. More water is required when the temperature is warmer.

Feeding Tips

Aerate the soil with the mineral Zeolite, which helps to promote the slower release of nutrients and also helps to break up clay.

Feed annuals with regularity using a good quality fertilizer. A good choice is Nurseryland Power Bloom.

Maintenance Tips

Deadhead flowering annuals to extend the flowering season. Deadheading is removing spent flowers to encourage re-blooming.

Steps for planting seedlings

Plan area to be planted.

Work and condition soil.

Dig a hole that will accommodate the seedling you wish to plant.

Remove seedling from its flat or pot. Massage root ball gently. Plants that have roots that are crowded in their pots will benefit because the roots will sometimes continue to grow around in a circle, never reaching out for moisture or nutrients.

Set plant in hole and add soil until the seedling is planted at the same level as it was in its container.

Firm down soil around the seedling and water in well.

Fertilize the plant with transplant fertilizer typically a higher middle number fertilizer like 10-52-10, 10-60-10 or Myke to help prevent transplant shock.

Note: Peat pots should always be removed since they do not degrade well in Calgary's short summer and often dry climate.

Hardening Off

Seedlings grown indoors or in a greenhouse will need to be hardened off. Hardening off is the process of adapting a seedling grown indoors to the outdoors over the course of a couple of weeks. Differences in temperature and light intensity may set back plants and delay flowering if the plants are not gradually acclimated to both. To start, plants should be kept in a sheltered area away from intense sun and harsh winds. A cold frame is an excellent place to harden off your seedlings but any sheltered spot will work well. Plants should be covered or brought inside at night if temperature or wind conditions dictate. Over the course of two weeks, gradually increase the plants' exposure to the sun intensity and other elements. At this point, seedlings can be planted outside in beds or rows whenever weather will permit.

If you purchased your annuals at greengate, it's quite possible they have been hardening off in our open roof greenhouse. If you are unsure, check with our staff. Some annuals do not stay here long enough to be completely hardened off.

Annual plants post-planting care and watering

Watering

It is best to water early in the day and to keep plant foliage as dry as possible by watering at ground level. Water freshly planted annual bedding-out plants thoroughly to give them a good start. Thereafter, water when the soil surface dries out. It is best to water early in the day and to keep plant foliage as dry as possible by watering at ground level. Water droplets that remain on the foliage overnight encourage plant diseases to develop. Do not rely on rain to water your annuals sufficiently. It is important to observe the condition of your annuals often to ensure continued growth and satisfaction.

Post-planting care

In order to induce continual vigorous growth, blooming and fullness, remove the terminal growth buds on tall lanky annuals by pinching them. Fertilize your annuals every three to four weeks with an all purpose, water soluble fertilizer such as a 20-30-20. Encourage repeat blooming by removing dead flowers (dead heading).

Fertilizing

Annuals are heavy feeders and as such you should feed them regularly. For hangers try a slow release 14-14-14 which should feed them for a summer. To be sure do it twice a season. Annuals that are in containers or beds can start with a shot of Myke. Give the mycorrhizae a few weeks to establish then feed with organic low number fertilizers. Without Myke start with a root booster or a high middle number fertilizer and then once the roots are established use your favorite bloom feeding fertilizer like Nuerseryland Power Bloom. You should fertilize about every 10-14 days depending on the weather.

FAST TIP 1

Hanging baskets need to be checked often as they dry out quickly.

Also, ensure the pot has drainage holes. When watering, water each container until a healthy amount of water drains out the bottom. This ensures that all of the roots are getting sufficient water. The less stressed your hangers are the more they will reward you. If you're unsure if your hangers need water, lift the pot. A light hanger is a clear indication that water is necessary.

FAST TIP 2

For more blooms all summer make sure you deadhead your flowering plants.

Deadheading is the removal of faded or spent blossoms. Pinching or flower heads off encourages the plant to produce more flowers and keeps the plant looking tidy.

In some cases it will also prevent your flowers from going to seed. Just think the more you pick the flowers the more flowers you will have.

FAST TIP 3

Being a contained unit, one must be on top of the watering and supply of nutrients to the plants.

Doing so along the edge of the planter makes a world of difference to the trailing plants. The need for nutrients (food) (fertilizer) is heightened due to the fact that the plants must draw from the confined space, which has no chance of replenishing itself if you are not using a living soil soils. For the establishment of a strong root system, use a "Kick Start" or "Root Booster." Typically, a high second number, phosphorous, fertilizer, for the first two weeks after planting. Continue to use a high middle number fertilizer like 10-60-10 for the balance of the growing season to optimize plant and flower growth.

FAST TIP 4

Container care.

Being a contained unit, one must be on top of the watering and supply of nutrients to the plants. Doing so along the edge of the planter makes a world of difference to the trailing plants. The need for nutrients (food) (fertilizer) is heightened due to the fact that the plants must draw from the confined space, which has no chance of replenishing itself if you are not using a living soil soils. For the establishment of a strong root system, use a "Kick Start" or "Root Booster." Typically, a high second number, phosphorous, fertilizer, for the first two weeks after planting. Continue to use a high middle number fertilizer like 10-60-10 for the balance of the growing season to optimize plant and flower growth.

Not all Annuals are the same!

greengate Garden Centres is a Proven Winners Certified Garden Centre.

We have 17 certified employees, by far the most in the city. So, you're bound to be able to find a Proven Winner expert when you come in.

Did you know that Proven Winners is the leading plant brand worldwide?

Why Choose Proven Winners?

• Easy to grow and care for

• Covered with blooms

• Bright and colourful

• Healthy and vigorous

• Long-blooming

• Trialled and tested

View our video on Proven Winners:

The Proven Winners brand is comprised of leading plant propagators around the world.

The goals of Proven Winners are to introduce the best, most unique, high-performing plants, and to produce them under the highest quality standards. Proven Winners plants are unsurpassed in terms of flowering, growth habit, disease resistance, and garden performance.

Aside from the beauty of the plants themselves P.W. plants have been bred, so deadheading is not required. Many Proven Winner plants are "low-maintenance" and that refers to the fact that many of their plants are "self-cleaning". This simply means that wind or other factors will cause the flowers to either blow off the plant or simply melt away leaving no old flower to remove.

You can purchase annuals in both seed and seedling form.

Note: When choosing a spot to plant, consider the annual's growth habit. Position tall plants at the back of beds where they will not block the view of smaller plants.