Angelica Archangelica

To the botanist, an annual is any plant which grows from seed, produces its flowers, matures its seeds, and dies in one season. To the gardener, an annual is any plant which, sown in the spring, will produce summer or fall blossoms and not live over the winter.

The plant requires a light, fertile, sandy loam that is well drained and can be so pulverized that the small seed can be planted at a uniform depth and the very small young seedlings cultivated. A frost-free season of at least 120 days is required, and uniform rainfall throughout the growing season is essential because the plant is unfavorably affected by sudden changes from wet to dry periods.

Most annuals are grown directly from seed, but some are grown from tubers. For example, crocus and lilies are actual perennials that die back each year while roots remain alive. This growth habit ea them the name of “false annuals.”

Annuals are classified by degree of hardiness. Hardy annuals may be sown outdoors before frosts have entirely ceased. Some, such as sweet peas, can be sown in autumn. Flat and hardy annuals need warmth to get a good start and can be sown indoors in very early spring. Once established, they are quite hardy in the garden. Tender plants require more warmth for germination than the half-hardy group; a temperature range of 60 to 70F. (15.56 – 21.11 C.) is considered correct.

In addition, the seeds and roots have great commercial value as an ingredient of elegant liqueurs and even in wines.

As cut flowers, annuals are almost indispensable. Sweet peas, asters, calendulas, larkspurs, marigolds, snapdragons, and zinnias are all easily grown decorative flowers. They are used for bedding plants, edgings, in rock gardens, and as climbers for covering trellises any arbors.

Harvesting leaves can be done whenever leaves are mature. Stems should be cut in June or July. The seeds should be gathered just as the pod turns from green to yellow. Be careful not to shatter _ seedpods; they are delicate and will burst if dropped. Roots can be taken in the fall of the first growing season. If dried roots are wanted, slice the thicker parts to hasten drying.

Before digging the flower bed mark out the dimensions, using a spade to get a to the proper depth and broken up to make a fine seedbed. Heavy and moist soils can be made lighter by adding a good quantity of sharp sand.