On today’s SoS I thought I’d tackle the sometimes contentious issue of annuals. There are some who believe them to be unworthy of the grown-up garden, these fleeting fly by nights are surely only for small children and the unimaginative. Clients can seem a little disappointed when told that a particular plant won’t return the following year. They look at me with sideways eyes and wonder if this is less than cost effective, a mere opportunity for bringing more plants into the garden. The truth is quite the contrary and I fight avidly for their corner. I try to explain that these transients often seed prolifically, germinate freely and are incomparably beautiful. A handful of seeds, with a little encouragement, can change your borders from year to year, whilst keeping the perennial bones intact. Fashionistas, such as myself, might consider them as a jaunty belt or scarf to uplift an old outfit. Notwithstanding the doubters, I would not be without annuals in my own garden. If you get a minute, pop over to see what Jim and the other SoSers are up to. I think it is time I proved my point.
It is quite a few years since I last grew Malope trifida ‘Vulcan’. When Hardy Plant Society seed was on offer I leapt at the chance and it is as wonderful as my rose coloured specs remembered. Definitely seed catching here!
I haven’t as many marigolds in the garden as usual. There are some self seeded Calendula ‘ Westwell Hall’ and the tagetes that stand guard in front of my tomatoes, fighting off aphid. These are from seed saved last year and are the prettiest sentries you might find.
This is the second year I’ve grown annual mallows in the garden. This one, Malva sylvestris var. mauritania ‘Mystic Merlin’ (most probably as my label was too short for the whole name) is also HPS seed. It will flower continually until the weather nips its buds or the gardener pulls it up.
Cosmos. The best annual ever. Any arguments, feel free to pop round and we can arm wrestle the point.
This is bit of a cheat, but I have learnt from the best, as Lantana camara is perennial. However, in this country, it is generally grown as an annual as it will not last the winter. It arrived here by happy accident. After her holiday in exotic climes, I knew that Welsh Ann was interested in a lantana for her garden. I bought one on spec only to discover her grand plan had changed. I had to keep it myself. Shame. Oh dear. What a pity.
Cornflower. I rest my case.
Talking of a little less than honest, I realise than many of you will be worrying about my Fuchsia boliviana ‘Alba’, missing in action, prime suspect Rudbeckia fulgida. You will be thrilled that it has been found. Rudbeckia absolved. All is well. If blatant flouting of the most fundamental of SoS rules offends you, please do not scroll down.
A dull photo, but the joy is in the finding.
Off The Edge Gardening 
I hereby undertake to confirm to your behavioural specifications going forward. Have you heard from Nige yet?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Malope trifida and Malva sylvestris var. Mauritania are foreign to me. I know that name, Malva sylvestris, from somewhere. I do like that Malope trifida though. Well, I like that Centaurea cyanus also, because it is so familiar. I should not have looked below that though. Oops.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The malope is very lovely. I do not blame you for looking, I would have too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, yes, but you can do things like that. I should not.
LikeLike
I completely agree with you, and since my garden could benefit from them in the future, lesson learnt and I shall have to consider what to remove in order to grow more next year. I have a completely soft spot for Lantana and have yet to grow one. Soft spot you may ask, well my mother’s garden had an informal hedge of Lantana and reminds me of home in the tropics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do like the photo of the cornflower with the daisy in the background, and regarding the lantana you can easily take a cutting in September-October, which you will keep all winter to replant outdoors in the spring. Try it, it’s is easy ! No care during winter
LikeLiked by 1 person
Top tip Fred, I will give it a go. Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cornflowers are one of my favourite annuals. I have been collecting seed!
LikeLike
I’ve started too, no cornflower seed yet but poppies.
LikeLike
It’s always good to be reminded. I used plenty of annuals when I was first filling up this new garden but less and less as the perennials have filled out. But there’s always a corner for one or two. A lovely selection.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, they do make great fill ins, always room for once more plant …….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t grown many annuals in the past few years as I have in the past. I used to plant a lot of seed, but since I moved back to the farm in Missouri from Mississippi, I feel like I don’t have the space. Lately, I have been thinking about just planting a variety in the garden where I have room. Perennials are great, but so many don’t return the second year like I think they will. We shall see what happens in 2025…
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is the great thing about gardening, you always have next year to try something different.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love annuals and am very much in favor of them. We have some weird perennial lantana here. A garden without poppies? no.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that sounds interesting. Yes, poppies are great too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Zinnias are my favorite annual.
LikeLike
I love zinnia, although this year I appear to have only one! Not sure how that happened.
LikeLike
I’m a fan, but not hugely successful at growing from seed. I am dedicating one of my raised beds to annuals though and I will also give a shout out to biennials.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, biennials are great too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t be without annuals either, especially the self-seeders. A lovely selection, especially the Cosmos. For some weird reason I rarely have success growing Cornflowers which is a shame as the blue variety are fantastic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a cornflower scatterer and hoper for the best. A few make it!
LikeLiked by 1 person