An annual plant is one that germinates, flowers, produces seed and dies, all in one year. Most commonly grown vegetables, like tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea), are annuals. Many flowers are annual as well, such as zinnias (Zinnia sp.) and marigolds (Tagetes sp.).

An annual is a plant that completes its lifecycle within one year and does not live through the winter. Many annuals do quite well in, and in fact require, lots of sunshine. Make sure to read seed packets and tags that come with plants to learn about the requirements of particular annuals.

There are many types of beautiful annuals that can color your garden with lovely blooms all season long. It can be a little trickier to find plants that will grow well, if you have a very shady yard but it is by no means, impossible. Many types of annuals require shade in order to thrive and others will tolerate moderate light well.

Sometimes, it is difficult to wait for that last frost (usually mid-to-late May) to get planting. The eager gardener wants to get started and clear away the last of winter with some cheery annual flowers. It is possible to start seeds inside, to get an early start.