What Does Perennial Mean?
A perennial is a type of plant that lives for more than two years. They can either be short-lived (only a few years) or long-lived.
Knowing if a plant is perennial or not can help you save time caring for that particular plant. After it is established, many perennials require minimal care in regards to fertilizing and watering. This is due to the far-ranging roots of perennials in comparison to annual plants. However, perennials do require some nurturing, and if neglected the perennial bed might be overtaken by weeds.
Contrary to common myths, most perennials have a distinct bloom period and do not live forever.
Maximum Yield Explains Perennial
Perennial plants are distinct from annual plants. Annual plants only live for one growing season. During this period, they produce seeds and then die. Examples of annual plants include zinnias and sunflowers. However, perennial plants live for more than two years.
There are two main types of perennial plants:
- Woody plants (trees and shrubs)
- Herbaceous perennials
It is important to know the difference between these two types of perennials to optimize its plant care routine. Non-woody plants may die to the ground every autumn. Even though they are perennial, only their roots survive the winter, and the plants re-sprout in the spring. Woody plants, however, do not need as much care, and their above ground parts remain alive in winter.
