Annuals, Biennials and Perennials: What it means.

Plants tend to have many different lifespans. In different climates and areas, these plants can have longer or shorter lives than expected. These lifespans are usually classified as perennial, annual or biennial. What does this mean? Although it might sound quite complicated, it really isn’t. Let’s have a look at the definitions and a few examples of perennial, biennial and annual plants:

ANNUAL:

As we know, the word annual means yearly. This means that annual plants tend to live for only one year or one season. Plants that are known as annuals tend to grow from seed, germinate, flower and go back to seed within one year.  This means that all leaves and the root system die after a year.

A few examples or annual plants:

  • Petunias
  • Alyssum
  • Imaptiens
  • Dahlia
  • Zinnia
  • Begonia
  • Pansy
  • Celosia
  • Violas
  • Marigolds

 

BIENNIAL:

 

Biennial plants live longer than annual plants, but much shorter than perennial plants. These plants live up to a life span of two years dependant on the temperate climate. Within the first year this plant will undergo its primary growth. This means that the roots and stems start to lengthen and establishes itself within its environment that brings it to a phase where it can reach photosynthesis.

After one years growing season, the plant then goes into winter dormancy and comes back to life and bolts out new flowers. These new flowers or fruit produce seeds that are ready to plant the following season.

Examples of biennial plants:

  • Black eyed susan
  • Cabbage
  • Fox Gloves (Can be produced by plant breeders as an annual)
  • Parsley
  • Leek
  • Carrot

PERENNIAL:

A perennial plant is a wonderful plant to have in your garden as they live longer than two years and can live many more. This includes certain flowers, trees, shrubs and bushes. Herbaceous perennials die down in winter, but jump right back up in early spring where evergreen perennials keep all their leaves straight through the year. These plants are beneficial for those who don’t enjoy replanting in their gardens.

Examples of perennial plants:

  • Daisies
  • Clivia
  • Azalea
  • Angelonia
  • Roses
  • Day Lilly
  • Salvia
  • Blanket Flower
  • Butterfly Bush
  • Shasta Daisy
  • Nandina

The list goes on and on when it comes to perennial plants, as there are hundreds!

Looking at the difference, no plant is better than the other as all of them are beautiful in their own unique way. Annuals give you the chance to change up your garden more often. Biennials give you two seasons to enjoy the process of growth and blooms. Perennials walk a journey with you as they stay constant in your garden.