But assuming your home has sufficient planting area or that you live out in the country, you'll want to lay out a design for your garden. Trees and shrubs often accompany a well-designed flower garden. The layout of these features is usually planned first and then annuals, perennials and biennials are arranged around the trees and shrubs. Annuals start from seed in the spring and flower and make new seed in the same year they are planted. Biennial plants require two years to reach full development while perennials live for more than two years.
Many wildflowers are perennials.
Annuals need a lot of sun because they must finish their growth in one season. A few will survive in light shade. In heavy shade, use perennials. Country gardens often are planted en masse with perennials, supplemented with a supply of summer annuals. Best bets for color and survivability are iris, peonies, day lilies, beebalm, sweet william, phlox and, in the fall, chrysanthemums.