Annuals

You seem to have the exact same attitude to annuals which I have....or should I say HAD!

My regular year in year out perennials and shrubs have been great, but my garden has always seemed to lack that burst of colour.

The marigold seeds I bought back in March were just an experiment but I have been suitably impressed so far. I love them and have been amazed just how easy it is to grow them from seed. I am certainly an annuals convert!

I like the idea of having them in pots and positioning them around the garden en masse. I can't wait until early next year when I start filling all my seed trays up.

 

I always take a look at discounted plants @Esoxlucius , but I thought it was annuals we were talking about. Perennials or shrubs etc are different, although it's usually better to check out nurseries and GCs around late August/early Sept as they often have sales, and you get a far better deal. Perennials are often very good value at that point as they're usually big, and can be divided. Some seed stays viable for years and some needs to be fresh. I've never saved seed from the marigolds I've sown as I deadhead to keep flowering going. You could try leaving a couple of flowers this month, and seeing how they do.

The timing of annual seed sowing very much depends on where you are - climate and temps etc. Not worth sowing anything much at this time of year here wher I am. Lettuce [cut and come again type] is about the only thing I sow at this time of year. As for sowing in autumn for next year - that's not always worthwhile here either. It's not always great weather/temp. wise [even under cover] for plants to get sizeable enough, and they stall in late winter/early spring, so the spring sown seed usually catches up. I sometimes do sweet peas, but it isn't always worth bothering.

 

I approach annuals as the summer extravaganza I add to mimic what's happening in the nature.

The planned permanent plants are the bones of the garden, but come summer, its all out with whatever flowers. (Well, as long as it's pastel shade or white for me merci beaucoup ). The bees and butterflies seem to agree on the quantity and variety perspectives.

The season inevitably moves towards death, but that's natural.

"Summer bedding" in their plastic cells is a great option for many but personally I go for seed sown plants now that I have a possibility to do so. When I only had a possibility for containers, bedding plants were my go-to.

In a small garden like mine, all permanent plants must pay for their keep with a long period of interest, annuals add the fleeting charm of something shining just for some weeks.

Plus I rather like growing things from seed

 

Indeed @Selleri - annuals are just the extra bit of colour or drama, the real garden is the permanent 'background' and the base for anything different that can be added for seasonal interest. In a small space, there's no room for passengers.
I rarely have annuals in the main beds or borders, as they often get eaten very easily. In a pot, I can control that - a little bit anyway! The most annoying thing is when you get a type/variety of plant that usually does really well, then one year - annihilation by slug.
Not that it's happened this year or anything....