| A
perennial is a plant that will come back year after year, unlike
annuals, which will need to be replanted each year. A perennial,
once planted, will grow a strong root system that will ensure
its survival through the winter months. Because of this, a perennial
will not bloom its first year, focusing its energy on strengthening
the root system. |
At the
end of the growing season, a perennial will usually lose its
foliage and the top will die back to the ground, yet the root
system and crown will remain dormant through the winter. Once
the winter is over and when conditions are right, the perennial
will re-grow from the roots and crown.
There
are many plants that are not necessarily considers perennial,
but are. Trees and shrubs are also types of perennial. They,
however, differ in that they do not die down to the ground,
as many other perennials do. Trees and shrubs re-grow each
year from live buds at the ends of above ground stems. Because
of this fact, trees and shrubs are generally considered to
be in a separate category from the perennials.
|
|
