So, what's the difference? Perennial plants regrow every spring, while annual plants live for only one growing season, then die off. Perennials generally have a shorter blooming period compared to annuals, so it's common for gardeners to use a combination of both plants in their yard.
Annuals are hard to beat in terms of showy, season-long color, while perennials will give you the most value for your money. Since the perennial flowering season is usually shorter, make sure to plant different varieties to keep color going through the season.
The short answer is that annuals don't come back. Plants that flower and die in one season are annuals—although many will drop seeds that you can collect (or leave) to grow new plants in the spring. Annuals will also typically bloom all season until frost, so you get consistent color and showy blooms.
Simply put, annual plants die in the winter season so you must replant them every year, while perennials come back every year so you only plant them once. Here's a rundown of annual versus perennial.
Unlike annuals, perennial plants go dormant in the winter and return the following year. Some perennial plants, like peonies, can be long-lived, returning for decades. Different perennial plants bloom at other times of the year, so you might get flowers in the spring, summer, fall, or even winter.
"true" annuals that die at the end of year one after producing new seed. Species such as begonias, coleus, fuchsia, Persian shield and most houseplants will overwinter if you keep them above freezing. A few start to suffer when temperatures drop below 40. So get them inside in the next couple of weeks.
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.
Is Hydrangea a perennial? Yes, Hydrangeas are perennials: they go dormant in winter and come back in the spring on their own, assuming you've planted varieties suited for your Zone. Gardeners in northern Zones must take care to choose winter-hardy varieties.
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.
Your annuals need lots of sunlight in order to survive the winter season, and so placing your plants in the brightest spot of your home will ensure they thrive. A windowsill that receives plenty of bright light will do!
Some Geraniums are long flowering and will flower right from June to frosts. This type of Geranium will come back year after year, although the herbaceous varieties will disappear over winter and regrow in the spring.
Here's a bit of botany for you: Black-eyed Susans are in the plant genus Rudbeckia, which contains both perennial and annual types. If you're looking for perennials, you want Rudbeckia fulgida. The annual varieties you see growing along the side of the road are Rudbeckia hirta.
Planting perennials in a container is not any different than planting annuals. But typically you may have more variety in a perennial container garden so just a little planning will help to position plants in a pleasing arrangement.
Annual plants may be less expensive to purchase and plant than perennial plants, as they only need to be purchased and planted once per year. However, perennial plants may be a longer-term investment, as they can continue to grow and thrive for many years.
Planting. Most perennials should be planted in the fall or early spring. Fall planting gives the plant more time to become established before the start of active growth in the spring. Fall-planted perennials are usually well-established before hot weather.
The ultimate hardy perennial, there is little that will defeat Coneflowers. Coneflower is tolerant of heat, humidity, drought, and poor soil. Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds love the flowers, and deer won't mess with them.
Most common hydrangeas prefer a partial sun location - ideally receiving sun in the morning hours and shade in the afternoon. The reblooming Endless Summer® Hydrangea series prefers part shade.
But no, the agave americana is definitely from Earth. It's also known as a century plant because it only blooms once every 100 years (roughly) and then dies.
The titan arum is a flowering plant, native to Indonesia's island of Sumatra. The plant's full bloom only once every seven to ten years. This rare event only lasts 24 to 36 hours.
A: The century plant, Agave americana, is monocarpic, meaning it will bloom once in its lifetime. That bloom may not appear for 10, 20 or more years, depending on the climate. Many species in the genus Agave flower just once, although there are a few that are repeat bloomers.
Light freeze - 29° to 32° Fahrenheit will kill tender plants. Moderate freeze - 25° to 28° Fahrenheit is widely destructive to most vegetation.
Tender annuals — Tender annuals thrive in warm soil and warm air temperatures. They should only be planted once temperatures reach and stay above 55°F. They can be severely damaged or die if they are exposed to frost or temperatures below 32°F.
So, how hot IS too hot for plants? The general answer is around 90 degrees F, with some exceptions to the rule. This means that when temps rise above 90 and remain there for a lengthy spell: Leaves wilt.