Planning a Landscape Enhancement

Taking on a landscape enhancement project can be daunting, especially when you don’t have a background in horticulture. You may have a clear vision for how you want a space to look and feel, but describing that vision—and determining which plants will achieve it—can be challenging.

One of the most common questions we hear when planning a landscape enhancement is: Should we plant perennials or annuals?

So, What Is the Answer?

The answer often comes down to three key factors: the space, the purpose of the planting, and the overall look you want to achieve.

Every property is different, and the right planting strategy should be selected based on the site’s conditions, the desired level of visual impact, maintenance requirements, and long-term objectives.

There isn’t a single answer that works for every property. Understanding the advantages of both annuals and perennials allows you to make a planting decision that delivers the right combination of appearance, performance, and value.

Annuals vs Perennials

1. What Has the Biggest Visual Impact?

While both annuals and perennials can create attractive landscape displays, annuals are the best choice when the goal is immediate, continuous, high-impact seasonal colour. Annuals dedicate their energy to flowering throughout the growing season, providing consistent colour and a vibrant appearance from spring through fall.

Perennials provide a different type of value. While their flowering periods may be more limited, they return year after year and become more established and robust as they mature, providing long-term structure and interest to the landscape.

2. What Requires More Maintenance?

Annuals generally require more maintenance throughout the growing season. They typically require more frequent watering, regular fertilization, and ongoing attention to maintain their appearance and flowering performance.

Once established, perennials generally require less ongoing maintenance and are more drought tolerant. Their primary maintenance requirements are typically seasonal, such as spring cleanup, pruning, and fall cutbacks.

3. What Is the Overall Cost?

Perennials generally represent a larger upfront investment during the initial planting season. However, because they return each year, they can provide long-term value and reduce the need for annual replanting.

Annuals typically have a lower initial installation cost but represent a recurring seasonal expense, as they must be replanted each year.

There are, however, situations where annuals can be the more cost-effective option. For commercial properties that experience consistent exposure to road salt, annuals may be a better investment than repeatedly replacing salt-damaged perennials.

The Bottom Line

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to commercial planting. The best solution depends on the property’s aesthetic goals, site conditions, maintenance requirements, and long-term budget.

Our goal is to help commercial property owners and managers select planting solutions that provide the right balance of visual impact, performance, maintenance, and long-term value.

Planning a landscape enhancement? Contact Landcare to discuss a planting strategy for your property, or learn more about our commercial landscaping services.