If questions were currency and we could retire on one, it would be, “What are perennials?”
Essentially, perennials are flowers that come back each year. So, what’s the difference between that and an annual? After all, wouldn’t it more make sense for a plant that grows back every year to be called an “annual”?
Plants begin life as a seed. As it grows, it creates roots, stems, leaves, flowers and returns to seed. The classifications (annual, perennial and biennial) are named as such to inform how a plant goes through this cycle. Because plants interact with their environment, the climate can have them behave differently than the classification would lead you to believe.
How does each behave?
- Annuals: These go through a complete life cycle in one growing season. They may reseed and grow in the following season, and this can have some mistake an annual for a perennial. Snapdragons and marigolds are annual flowers.
- Biennials: It takes two years for a biennial to go through a life cycle. The first season will result in few leaves, while the rest of the growing takes place in the next season. Those filed under biennial include hollyhocks.
- Perennial: Perennials grow, bloom and seed for many years, and some can last through the winter. Popular perennials include lilies and tulips.
Confused? Winston Salem NC perennials dealer Oak Ridge Shrubbery can help out. Visit us now at www.OakRidgeShrubbery.com.
