The Difference Between Annual, Biennial and Perennial Plants

Know the difference between flower types to achieve your gardening goals.

Annual flowers complete their lifecycle from seed to death in one growing season. Some plants grown as annuals in cold climates are actually perennials in milder locations. 

Tender annuals like impatiens and coleus are sensitive to frost. Half-hardy annuals like ageratum and lobelia can tolerate cool air and soil, but can be damaged by frost. Hardy annuals like alyssum and pansies tolerate cold soil, cold air and frost. Adjust planting times based on this.

Biennials like hollyhocks and foxglove just form leaves the first year. The second year the plant forms more leaves, flowers, sets seeds and dies. Many reseed, making them appear as perennials.

True perennials hardy to your location live for multiple years in the garden.

A bit more information: Some growers and gardeners start biennials indoors early. The early start encourages biennial plants to bloom and die the first year in the garden.

Tags

garden-landscape-design flowers-ornamental-grasses design lobelia hollyhocks sweet-alyssum pansy new-guinea-impatiens foxglove ageratum impatiens

Related

Video

Beyond Marigolds

Video

Strategies to Keep You Gardening

Audio

2015 All-America Selections Flower Winners

Video

Frost Protection

Audio

Jewelweed Pain Relief for Stinging Nettle and Poison Ivy

Audio

Shade Combinations for Attracting Hummingbirds

Audio

Plants for Both Your Indoor and Outdoor Gardens

Audio

Take Cutting Now to Overwinter Annuals

Audio

Trimming Overwintering Leggy Annuals

Audio

Plant a Patriotic Red, White, and Blue Garden or Container

• ← Previous
• 1
• 2 (current)
• 3
• 4
• Next →