A few perennials are considered to be short-lived, lasting only two to three years. Rose campion is a short-lived perennial, but because it self-seeds so readily, it appears to live much longer. While other perennials, like peonies, have been known to last for more than 100 years, though it may take several seasons before they establish.
Hardiness Zones and Perennial Plants
Not all plants with the ability to be perennial are hardy in all areas. Some can be killed by freezing temperatures, excessively dry conditions, or other growing conditions. This is why hardiness zones are so important. Knowing what zone you garden in will allow you to determine what plants will survive in your area. Tender perennials, like begonias, elephant ears, and succulents, may overwinter in warm climates, while cold temperatures in northern zones can kill the plants entirely.
Are there Different Types of Perennials?
The term perennial is most often used for plants with showy flowers, but plants such as ornamental grasses, tropicals such as canna and caladiums, vegetables rhubarb and artichokes, and other plants that have their own categories may also be perennial. The term herbaceous perennial further narrows the definition of perennials to plants with soft, green stems that die back to the ground in colder climates.
What About Trees and Shrubs?
Trees and shrubs are considered woody or non-herbaceous perennials. They may lose their leaves in winter but remain very much alive in their roots right up through their stems, branches, and buds. Perennial trees and shrubs would be considered woody.
Are Perennials Less Work than Growing Annuals?
Perennials require different maintenance than annual plants, but they are not all carefree. Most require at least some pruning and feeding to remain healthy enough to survive several years.
Division: Although you don’t need to replant perennials every year, as you would with annuals, eventually they will need to be dug up and divided to maintain vigor. Then the divisions will need to be replanted. Some plants need dividing every couple of years and some, like peonies, virtually never need division unless you want to make more plants. The best part is, you make more plants for free with divisions! Pest Patrol: Monitoring for pests and diseases is still very important with perennials. You really need to check on your perennial plants regularly throughout the growing season. Deadheading: Many perennials repeat bloom if you continually deadhead the spent flowers. This is a chore they share with some annuals. Even perennials that don’t repeat bloom, such as hosta and astilbe, benefit from deadheading their flower stems so that the energy of the plant can go back into the roots and leaves, rather than into setting seed. Of course, if you want the seed, you can certainly allow the seed pods to form. Seasonal Clean-up: Since herbaceous perennials die back to the ground each winter, you may want to prune and remove the old foliage to tidy the plant before the new growth begins. Some plants prefer to be cut back in the fall and a handful prefers being pruned in the spring. Check plant tags for pruning instructions to make sure you don’t inadvertently cut off forming flower buds.
There are other maintenance jobs required by some perennial plants, but they really are not labor-intensive. Besides, these gardening chores are at the heart of what it means to garden. While perennials and annuals are not better or worse than one another, having some perennials in your garden is a lovely guarantee that you will have flowers each season, even if you have limited time to plant in the spring.
