An annual is a plant that completes its life cycle, from seed to bloom and back to seed again all in a single growing season.

Annuals are seasonal plants which will survive or blooms throughout a season and then die once conditions change.  Annuals can be divided into three groups - hardy, half hardy and tender.  The hardy annuals are those which will withstand a considerable amount of frost like the Pansy.  Half-hardy annuals will not withstand frost, and tender annuals are those which planted outside for a short time in the height of summer.