Perennial or Annual

I have always loved daisies. They are simple, they have strong stems, they come in many, many varieties. They are stunning in bouquets with other flowers, and can absolutely hold their own in a big bunch in a simple vase. Through the years of planting and growing flowers, I have grown fond of the many different types of daisies and other flowers. 

This spring, my daughter Trinity was wanting to get involved with planting in some of my flower beds and pots. I was excited to share this hobby with her. But she didn't really get the difference between perennial and annual. I explained that perennials come back each year or season, whereas annual plants only bloom for a short time and then die. She immediately said, “Oh. Well we need perennials. There's no point in planting annuals if they are just going to die in a couple months.” (For those who don't have a 15-1/2 year old or don't remember being one, Trinity is one of those kids with champagne taste on a beer budget if you know what I mean!) I explained to my sweet, naive daughter that I appreciated her opinion; however, I could not afford to plant perennials in all of my flower beds and pots. It would cost too much. So, we went shopping to see what we could find that fit our budget. 

I love perennials because once they are established they provide depth, stability, and a solid foundation for a garden. I also love annuals because they can provide a splash of color or a burst of fresh greenery that some pots need. I see value in both. I personally like a combination of perennials and annuals. I like the different timings that the multitude of flowers can bloom. I have some Double Knockout rose bushes that are super easy to care for, and we planted them almost 20 years ago. They are gorgeous when they are in bloom. Now time, weather, insects, and all kinds of things have taken a toll on these rose bushes. From the street, they look stunning. When you get up close, you realize that the base of the plant has seen better days. Parts of it are dead, but despite everything, each summer they come back and bloom. Flowers are like people. Some parts that need constant attention, other parts are hopeless it seems, and still you walk out one day and a fresh bloom has shot up. 

All of this perennial and annual planting made me think of all of the people we come into contact with in our lives. I think I am in my perennial phase - you know, established, some issues with growing out instead of blooming, random branches or blooms that look astray sometimes, can be beautiful, but I also have these darn thorns that when not approached with a gloved hand can prick you and make you bleed. I think Trinity is an annual plant but really wants to be a perennial. She is fresh, bright, beautiful, easily distracts others, and can be useful in a variety of bouquets. She sometimes thinks the perennials are boring and dull, particularly in the fall and winter when they aren't blooming. I think every minute of every day she is planting her roots and adapting to her surroundings, and I pray she just keeps growing with Christ leading the way. 

I think people who love Christ are like a beautiful bouquet of flowers because it takes all kinds of flowers to make a garden work, or a school work, or a church. It takes different perspectives, different experiences to create something that will last and continue to grow and bloom. Ultimately, at the end of our flower shopping, we settled on a couple perennial plants to add to what we have, and some annuals to add color, depth, and diversity to our garden. In the end, we decided that each flower had a purpose and was made by God. My final thought for you is what type of bouquet or garden are you planting and is God leading the way? 

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