How to Choose Annual Plants for the Midwestern Landscape

The Midwest is a large area with a lot of variability of climate and terrain, so choosing the right annuals might seem a daunting task. On the positive side, it also means that there is a huge diversity from which to choose. Picking the right annuals for your landscape is as easy as knowing your particular conditions. Taking the time to study your yard before planting will go a long way toward insuring your success.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Notebook
• Pencil
• Current climate zone map
• Catalogs featuring annual plants

How to Choose Annual Plants for the Midwestern Landscape

1. Take a notebook and pencil outside--creating a rough sketch with the main features drawn in will help you remember important details when planning. Walk around your yard noticing things that might affect your plants as they grow such as shade trees, overhanging portions of the house or outbuildings, fences, heavy-use areas or paths that might contain hard-packed soil. Make a special note of any areas with particularly sunny, shady, dry or wet conditions.

2. Look at a current US climate zone map to determine the temperature range and tolerances for plants in your area. (This map takes recent climate changes into account. Find it at www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/2008-04-23-gardening-map_N.htm) These zone numbers will crop up repeatedly in plant or seed catalogs--usually at the bottom of the individual descriptions--so it is important to know your zone.

3. Consult universities or local extension offices for lists of plants that will do well in your area. Most maintain databases of plants categorized in several ways, and can give you specific information about color, growth habits and other preferences as well as provide care instructions and lists of suppliers for many native plants. The University of Illinois Extension, for example, provides a detailed online database that is quite helpful at http://urbanext.illinois.edu/annuals.

4. Decide upon a theme for each area you intend to plant. Think about color, height and spread, foot traffic in high-use areas, whether you will be using containers, and so on, and write down your choices.

5. Browse online or in catalogs for plants you have determined will fit your theme criteria, the shade or sun and soil conditions offered within your proposed planting areas and those that will do well in your Midwest climate zone.

6. Order your seeds early to insure that they are well-started indoors, before planting them outside after danger of frost has passed. If you purchase plants, be sure to keep them protected beyond the last spring frost date before setting them out. At season's end, simply allow them to die out, or replace with cool season annuals from your list.

Tips & Warnings

• Use containers to grow plants that might otherwise be unsuitable for the Midwest climate and growing conditions. You can take these in when weather is unfavorable or swap them out for new varieties when they lose vigor. Extend the bloom season by taking advantage of microclimates against sunny walls or buildings that boost warmth to less cold tolerant plants. Use native plants, which are already adapted to your region, to increase your chances for a successful and lasting display. Don't forget annual grasses in your plans! They add textural interest and a wider range of color than you might think.

References

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Database

Resources

• Zone Hardiness Map
• University of Illinois Annual Plants Database
• Missouri Wildflower Nursery and Native Plant Information