It’s time to celebrate annuals, the type of loyal friend every gardener can use

Summer annuals are the champions of the late-season garden. TRUE ANNUALS OR TENDER PERENNIALS True annuals, like zinnias and marigolds, are plants that complete their entire life cycles, from seed to senescence — or death — in one year. Most plants regarded as annuals in four-season regions are actually tender perennials from the tropics that can’t withstand frosts and freezes. Popular tender perennials grown as annuals include browallia, celosia, impatiens, lantana, Madagascar periwinkle, snapdragon and Pelargonium, the annual commonly called “geranium”. PROS AND CONS OF ANNUALS Over the past few years, I’ve grown to appreciate annuals and tender perennials as the garden workhorses they are.