These were excavated with the gravel being used to form metal roading for many early city streets in Christchurch. This area was the first to be levelled and sown in grass. For many years it was known as the Front Lawn and later named after the first curator John Francis Armstrong in recognition of his valuable services to the Gardens. Annual bedding displays in this area have changed over the years to suit the styles and trends of the day. Today the formal beds flank the northern and eastern sides of the Armstrong Lawn.
Annuals represent a large group of garden plants.
They are botanically defined as plants which in one growing season germinate from seed, grow to maturity, flower and set seed. Biennials, herbaceous perennials and standardised shrubs are also often used in the annual bedding displays for added colour, height, form, texture and scent. The diversity of annuals is vast and there are suitable species, varieties and cultivars for almost any garden situation, be it intense sun or deep shade. Many are grown for use as cut or dried flowers while others are utilised for their attractive foliage or scent. Annuals play a major role in landscaping and are frequently incorporated in mixed flower and shrub borders, container gardens, specialist areas such as cottage or wildflower gardens and are often used as fillers in newly established gardens.