Annuals and biennials can be used to great effect in borders and beds, and may be changed several times in a season to create several colourful displays.

There are several annuals grown primarily for their foliage to contrast with or complement bright flower colour, and to add to the range of textures. Plants include selected cultivars of Coleus, which provide a range of foliage colour: yellows and greens, reds and purples. The bushy, bright green, cypress-like columns of Kochia scoparia f. trichophyilla also provide a good contrast to colourful planting schemes.

The most effective annual beds and borders are often those that use only a limited range of colours, such as soft blues and mauves or perhaps dazzling reds and oranges. Select tones that blend together harmoniously; some plants, such as petunias and antirrhinums are available a wide variety of colours, making it possible to choose a particular plant whatever the colour range.

Using as Ground Cover

Annuals and biennials are also often used as temporary ground cover over otherwise bare ground. Single-colour cultivars of annual candytufts (lberis) may be used to provide dense cover in a sunny spot or busy lizzies (Impatiens cvs) in shade. For a more textured quality as well as lively colour, sow Eschscholzia or corn poppies - both spread quickly.

Using to Fill Gaps

As they are relatively cheap to raise and grow quickly, annuals and biennials are very useful to fill gaps in beds and borders. These gaps may arise due to the failure of a particular plant, or it may be between immature perennials or recently planted shrubs in a new border. Sow seed where the plants are to flower, choosing cultivars in a colour and height range to suit the planting scheme. You may also consider planting wallflowers (Cheiranthus) in the same gaps at the end of the season; they will provide interesting winter foliage, followed by spring flowers.

Maintaining Interest

Any planting should be planned so that the flowering periods of the annuals coincide as much as possible as this will avoid gaps appearing in the scheme. To provide interest over a long period, use annuals that bloom in succession; for specific colour combinations, make sure that the chosen plants bloom at the same time. Plants such as pansies (Viola x wittrockiana), wall-flowers (Cheiranthus), polyanthus, primroses (Primula vulgaris) and forget-me-nots (Myosotis) are good choices for a spring display. There is a massive variety of plants coming into flower in summer and early autumn, and the possibilities for creating pleasing combinations is almost unlimited.