Annual vs. Perennial vs. Biennial Wildflowers: Bloom Times
Wildflowers bring cheer and color to natural landscapes and gardens across the country. However, different wildflowers bloom at varying times depending on their life cycles. In this article, we’ll run through everything you need to about when annual, perennial, and biennial wildflowers bloom.
When Do Annual Wildflowers Bloom?
Annual wildflowers are the most common type and are often the easiest to grow. However, they have short life cycles that last only a year before the plant dies off. Well-known annual wildflowers include cornflowers and sunflowers.
Because they only last for one year, annual wildflowers need to maximize their life cycles. Many annual wildflowers can sprout within three weeks of sowing. Annual wildflowers usually take approximately 60 to 80 days to bloom from sowing.
Most annual wildflowers start blooming in April or May and can last for up to four months. Annual wildflowers usually die off when the first frost hits in the fall. Before dying off, many annual wildflowers will self-sow their seeds to produce new flowers the following year.
When Do Perennial Wildflowers Bloom?
Perennial wildflowers have longer life cycles than annuals and can last for at least three years. Perennial wildflowers won’t flower in their first year after sowing. Instead, they focus on creating a sound root system to sustain them.
Perennial wildflowers usually begin to bloom in their second year. Established perennial wildflowers should produce better blooms each year. Some of the most common perennial wildflowers include black-eyed Susan, blanket flowers, and coneflowers.
Most perennial wildflowers only bloom for a few weeks each year. Once flowering has finished, the plant will then die back during the winter to conserve energy. The plant will then start growing the following spring again.
When Do Biennial Wildflowers Bloom?
Biennial wildflowers essentially behave like a cross between annuals and perennials. Biennial wildflowers have a two-year life cycle. Biennials won’t flower during the first year while concentrating on producing strong root systems and foliage like perennials.
Biennial wildflowers will then bloom in their second year. Once flowering has finished, biennials will die off completely like annual wildflowers. Some of the most common biennial wildflowers include foxgloves and teasels.
Once they reach their second year, biennial wildflowers can bloom for two to three months. The flowers will start dying off whenever the first frost arrives. Like annuals, many biennial wildflowers will self-sow when they reach the end of their life cycle.
How to Extend the Wildflower Blooming Season
Although many wildflowers can handle short periods of drought, long spells of dry weather can impact the blooms. Extend the wildflower blooming season by regularly watering your wildflowers during the summer. You can also deadhead many annual wildflowers during the season to encourage another flush of blooms.
Wrapping Up
Annual wildflowers bloom for up to four months but only last a year. Biennial wildflowers bloom for a few months in their second year. Perennial wildflowers bloom for a few weeks each year after their first year.