When planning your spring garden in Massachusetts, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to plant annuals, perennials, or a mix of both. Each has its own advantages depending on your space, style, and how much time you want to invest year after year. Walking through Nunan Garden Center on the North Shore, you’ll find stunning options for both categories — but understanding the difference can help you create a garden you’ll love from the very first bloom.

Annuals are the showstoppers of the season. These plants complete their entire life cycle in one growing season, meaning they sprout, flower, set seed, and die all within a single year. The big advantage of annuals is their ability to deliver vibrant, nonstop color all season long. If you’re looking for bold, instant impact, annuals are the way to go. Massachusetts gardeners love planting annuals like petunias, marigolds, impatiens, and zinnias, especially in containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes. These plants offer flexibility and creativity, letting you switch up your garden’s look every year depending on your mood or new trends you spot at your favorite garden center.

On the other hand, perennials are the long-term planners of the garden world. Once established, perennials return year after year, often growing bigger and more beautiful with time. Instead of starting fresh every spring, you’ll watch your perennials awaken from winter dormancy, rewarding your patience with bursts of blooms and lush foliage. In Massachusetts, popular perennials include daylilies, black-eyed Susans, hostas, peonies, and coneflowers. While they may require a bit more planning upfront and sometimes take a season or two to truly flourish, the payoff is worth it. Perennials build structure and a sense of maturity in your garden, creating a landscape that feels timeless.

Choosing between annuals and perennials often comes down to your goals for the season. If you’re designing a brand-new garden and want it to look full and colorful immediately, annuals are your best friend. They offer that lush, over-the-top look that many homeowners crave after a long New England winter. Nunan’s Garden Center usually has rows upon rows of bright annuals ready for planting in early spring, perfect for gardeners who want instant gratification.

If you’re willing to play the long game, perennials are an investment in your landscape’s future. Over time, they create layered, naturalistic gardens that change subtly with each season. Many Massachusetts gardeners plant perennials with the idea that their gardens will only get better and easier to maintain each year. Plus, many perennials are great for attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds — an added bonus if you’re also planting a pollinator-friendly garden this spring.

A blended approach often works best for North Shore gardens. Many experienced gardeners visit their local garden center each spring to pick up colorful annuals that can be tucked between the bones of a perennial garden. This method ensures that even while waiting for perennial plants to bloom or fill in, there’s always something vibrant to admire. Adding annuals each year also keeps your garden fresh and allows for creative experimentation without a long-term commitment.

When shopping this spring, take time to explore different sections of Nunan’s Garden Center and ask questions. Staff can help you choose the right plants for your sunlight, soil conditions, and maintenance preferences. Whether you’re designing a front walkway, backyard beds, or a patio bursting with color, understanding the role of annuals and perennials will help you build a garden that looks great now — and for seasons to come.

In the end, the choice between annuals and perennials doesn’t have to be either-or. Combining the best qualities of both will give you a Massachusetts garden that evolves beautifully each year while still delivering that wow factor every spring. A thoughtful visit to your local garden center can set you on the right path, whether you’re planting for today or dreaming about the future.