I order both every year.. but I order many more annuals for my containers

I'm team both, too. As the years go by, and I get older, I'm trying to lean more and more on perennials, always looking for long-lived and long-blooming choices.

I grow a lot of my plants from seed, mostly wintersown. Perennials can be expensive to buy as plants, but worth it to me for special selections not available from seed.

Still, a summer without a few annuals like coleus, zinnias, and alyssum would be unthinkable.

Karen

Both for me. I love trying new seeds and the perennials are special plants. Thinking of the plants in my garden right now I do believe most of them are shrubs and bulbs.

I used to do only annuals, but I'm trying to put in a few hardy perennials in an attempt to make the garden less labor intensive. Sigh, this getting older nonsense is vastly overrated!

No annuals. Ever.
I find it is a waste of money to buy plants that only last one season.

I do mostly perennials in the ground,-- and annuals in pots and planters.
Where there are empty spots between perennials----I seed wildflowers.
Expensive seed gets started under lights, cheaper seeds and those which
require stratification are started by winter sowing. And a few are direct sown.

Dutchlady1 said:No annuals. Ever.
I find it is a waste of money to buy plants that only last one season.

Hetty, you're talking like an old curmudgeon! Consider,
- You're speaking from your throne in zone 10, where so much is perennial. It's not like that in our world farther north. Beautiful plants like coleus which are perennial for you would be off limits to use if we eliminated annuals.
- another important point: most of us have at least some of what we'd consider "disposable income". How we spend that is a choice. Some might save for an expensive trip, some might spend it on clothes or jewelery, others on dining, others on books, others (guys!) might rather spend it on tools. If I spend $5 for an annual which blooms beautifully for 4 months, and it makes me happy, I don't consider it a waste of money at all. To me it was money well spent.
- that said, I start most of my annuals from seed >>>> CHEAP. And my zinnias are from saved seed every year, so I haven't spent anything but the cost of a few cups of potting soil for them.

Karen

Well, I just feel that a plant should be there for longer than a few months. And my plant budget is extremely limited, so I spend it on things that will last.
Point taken on things being perennial here that are annuals for you.

I'm about 90% perennials, and 10% annuals. I do love annuals for my pots around the pond.

Onewish1 said:I order both every year.. but I order many more annuals for my containers

I buy plants that attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies. Mostly for Hummers.

I buy a lot of plants for the containers. I have a lot of containers.

I buy perennials (new perennials) to plant in the ground for Hummers.

I prefer annuals because most perennials get too big. I just want something to fill in the spaces between roses and irises without obscuring them and stealing their sunlight.

And nearly all my annuals are grown from seed, except for those tempting little 4-packs of pansies and petunias that leap into my cart when I wander into Wal-Mart in the spring! Honest, the little rascals have legs and they just jump!

woofie said:And nearly all my annuals are grown from seed, except for those tempting little 4-packs of pansies and petunias that leap into my cart when I wander into Wal-Mart in the spring! Honest, the little rascals have legs and they just jump!

I'll have to start saying that line to DH; "Honest, the little rascals have legs and they just jump!" (lol)

I grow both. Most of my plants are started from seeds. Very limited budget but,I also love
watching them grow

This was the first year my Double Echinacea was a true double from seed I think
I have 90% perennial

Shannon

Shannon, what beautiful doggies you have there!!!

PollyK said:Shannon, what beautiful doggies you have there!!!

Oh my, yes! Aren't they lovely! Did you look at the bigger picture over on her profile page? Wow!

Some of both, but I want more perennials. Annuals just go in containers, seldom find their way into the ground anymore unless there is a big bare spot. I start some from seed. Short season here, and a harsh climate. The zone numbers don't tell you much. We have very low humidity and strong winds.

woofie said:

Oh my, yes! Aren't they lovely! Did you look at the bigger picture over on her profile page? Wow!

They are so cute! Just want to give them big hugs!

Beautiful and adorable doggies!

Woofie,

Your doggie is beautiful too! I want to give your doggie a big hug also!

Adorable!