Browsing plants: perennials that last

Perennials are plants which are expected to live longer than two years, unlike annuals, which live for one growing season, and biennials, which need two growing seasons to mature and go to seed. Perennials may go to seed every year and often die back to the ground, but their root systems continue to live and the plants will continue growing. Some perennials are considered to be short-lived, but because they self-seed so readily they appear to live much longer.

Not all plants are perennial 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. As of the 2012 USDA hardiness map, the region in which Vinland Valley Nursery is located is Zone 6a.

Perennial plants have a shorter blooming season than annuals since their survival doesn’t depend upon creating as much seed. However, many plants bloom for weeks, and with careful planning and a diversity of plants in the garden, you can keep things pretty colorful from early spring through frost.