“Perennial” comes from the Latin word “perennis” which means “lasting the year through. ” “Annual” is based on the Latin word “annus” meaning “year. ”
Some plants that are considered perennials may actually behave as annuals depending on your climate. For instance, tulips need a dormant period (a cold winter) and a hot, dry growing season to come back each year, and they might not rebloom if the weather isn’t just right. [4] X Research source Trees and shrubs are considered perennial plants. [5] X Research source
Some perennials planted from seed won’t produce blooms until the spring or summer of the second year after planting. [9] X Research source
Peonies Daylilies Hostas Mums Asters Roses Coneflowers Black-eyed Susans Salvia
Annuals are great plants to experiment with, as you can replace them the next season if you don’t like how they looked, or replant them if they were just what you wanted.
Deadhead and prune back leggy annuals to keep them looking their best all season. [15] X Research source When the plants die, pull them out of the ground.
Petunias Marigolds Impatiens Zinnias Sunflowers Cosmos Aster Petunias Snapdragons Pansies
In regions with long growing seasons, like Florida, biennials may only last a single year. They produce leaves and then flowers without going dormant like they would in a colder climate. [18] X Research source
