Biennial plants have a life cycle of two years, so they germinate and grow one year, bloom and die the following. Everything which lasts longer than two years is perennial, which in practical terms usually means it grows and flowers for many years.
Examples of biennial plants are members of the onion family including leek, some members of the cabbage family, common mullein, parsley, fennel, Lunaria, silverbeet, black-eyed Susan, sweet William, colic weed, carrot, and some hollyhocks.
Biennial plants will overwinter and come back in the spring. During their 2nd year they will produce seeds and then die. Like annual plants, biennial plants are often part of nature's efforts to cover bare ground. Some common weeds such as mullein are biennials.
Examples of between annual, biennial and perennial plants
Examples of annual plants: Mustard, watermelon, lettuce. Examples of biennial plants: Carrot, cabbage, onions. Examples of perennial plants: Mango, coconut, banana.
Biennial plants have a two-year life cycle. During the first year, they grow only the roots, stems and leaves. In the second year they come into flower, produce seeds and die.
Biennial plants have a life cycle of two years, so they germinate and grow one year, bloom and die the following. Everything which lasts longer than two years is perennial, which in practical terms usually means it grows and flowers for many years.
The biennials that are grown for seeds, fruits and flowers are grown for two years, whereas those for edible roots and leaves are grown for one year only. Examples of biennials include: parsley, fennel, onion, cabbage, silverbeet and carrot.
Roses are perennial flowers that can grow in zones 3-10. Plant your roses in late spring or early summer. There are many different types of roses, but they usually bloom on and off from spring to fall.
Biennials - Plants which require two years to complete their life cycle. First season growth results in a small rosette of leaves near the soil surface. During the second season's growth stem elongation, flowering and seed formation occur followed by the entire plant's death.
Perennials: Live for Three or More Years
An individual columbine plant, for example, may live for several years and then begin to die back. However, in that span it has produced plenty of seed. Peonies and daylilies, on the other hand, are long-lived, lasting for a decade or longer if given ideal growing conditions.
However, there are some advantages to growing biennials. Biennials tend to tolerate cold weather better than annuals. Although they don't come back year after year like perennials, they usually self-sow pretty easily, so there's no need to reseed every year.
Lavender is a perennial herb in many areas - that is, perennial if it gets really good drainage. Growing in a pot is an ideal way to provide good drainage. However, if the potting mix is extremely fertile, the plant may grow leaves and stems rather than flowering.
One trait that most biennials share is that they are prolific self-seeders. This means that after they finish blooming they generate a lot of seed which often germinates in the summer or fall and starts the process all over again.
Biennial plants grow leaves, stems and roots the first year, then go dormant for the winter. In the second year the plant will flower and produce seeds before dying. Biennials are usually sold with perennials and include sweet william, foxglove, money plant and hollyhock.
The lifespan, bloom time, culture and form of perennial plants varies greatly. Some species, such as lupines and delphinium, are so called "short-lived" perennials, with a lifespan of just three or four years. Others may live as long as fifteen years, or even, in the case of peonies, a lifetime.
Biennial plants are such that they take two years for completion of the entire biological life cycle. Examples of biennial plants include carrots, onions, parsley, fennel etc. Banana, jackfruit and pineapple are perennial plants.
All types of hydrangeas are considered perennials. All hydrangeas are perennials. There's no two ways about this. It will take a hydrangea more than one or two seasons to complete its life cycle.
Alyssum. Alyssum is a warm zone perennial plant, which means it can bloom all year in climates like California. It has small, fragrant white, pink or purple flowers and grows best in full sun.
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Affectionally called the "perfect perennial," Daylilies survive through almost anything — fluctuating temperatures, irregular watering and so on. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can find the right option to suit your garden or landscaping.
Cranesbill (Geranium), also known as true geranium or hardy geranium, is a perennial that blooms throughout the entire summer. This is not the same plant as annual geraniums (Pelargonium) that are used as bedding plants. Cranesbill will grow in full sun or partial shade.
If you're not familiar with hostas, they're easy-care perennials. Hostas thrive under trees, on the north side of your home or garage, or other places that don't get much direct sun. Because they're perennial, they come back every year -- you only need to plant them once.
Although most geraniums are grown as annuals, they are perennials in Zones 10-11. Bring them indoors to overwinter, if you like, and then replant them outdoors in spring, or they can bloom indoors all year long if they get enough light.
Lavender is a perennial that will last for several years under the right conditions. Because of its Mediterranean origin, lavender loves blazing hot sun and dry soil. If your lavender doesn't thrive, it's most likely due to overwatering, too much shade, and high humidity levels.
Sunflowers are either an annual (where they need to be replanted every year) or a perennial (where they will come back every year from the same plant) and telling the difference is not that hard if you know how.