Have you ever gone into a home and garden store and walked up and down the aisles determined to find some plants to put in your yard? If so, then you know how many choices stare you in the face. Sure, there are the easy decisions to make like what colors you would like, how big you want them to be and what kind of leaves you'd like to feature. But what about the more difficult decisions: Which plants are best for the region I live in? Which plants would live best in the shade and which in the sun? And exactly what is the difference between perennials and annuals? What do those terms even mean?
It can be an incredibly daunting task, but one that can be made easier with the help of HowStuffWorks. By definition, a perennial is a plant that lives longer than two years. It blooms in the spring and summer, and then it dies again every fall and winter. Then again in the spring, the blooms come out to greet the warmth and sunshine. While perennials have to live longer than two years to qualify as one, some have been known to live as much as 3,000 years. Now you won't be around that long to see if your plant thrives, but there are some things you need to know to make sure your plant has the best life possible.
Visit HowStuffWorks to wade your way through all things perennial, from which plants are considered part of the family to how to care for them properly. We'll take the guess work out of your yard, so you can spend your time digging your cares away. So get those shovels and sprinklers ready as we take a trip through perennial paradise.
The encyclopedia of perennials helps you select and care for perennials. Learn all about your favorite perennials in the encyclopedia of perennials.
If you love gardening, you'll enjoy planting perennials for average soil. Many perennial flowers grow in average soil. In this article, we'll give you the list of average soil perennials, broken down by color. See more »
Boltonias resemble asters, with narrow leaves and dozens of white flowers in clusters. A well-situated boltonia will be covered with bloom from late summer into fall. Learn more about this sturdy perennial.
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Bougainvillea's pretty little flowers and deciduous vines are good for achieving a cottage look in your garden. It grows vigorously in southern and western areas, flowering in spring and summer. Read about this perennial.
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Bower actinidia, commonly used on trellises, produces white, scented flowers and yellowish berries. It propagates in shady and low-quality dirt. Learn how to use bower actinidia to quickly camouflage man-made items in the garden.
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Bowman's-root, a wildflower from America's east coast, blooms in white. Removing spent flowers allows the plant to rebloom. Learn more about bowman's-root and how it can accent shaded gardens and shrubs.
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From western Siberia, brunnera or Siberian Bugloss, are perennial forget-me-nots. Blue flowers are about 1/4-inch across, and bloom in clusters during the spring. Find out how to grow this showy perennial.
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Bugleweeds are known for their colorful leaves and pretty, irregular flowers. They work well as garden ground cover that drapes over rock edging and blocks out weed growth. Learn to grow this easy-care perennial.
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The shrub bush clematis, or upright clematis, makes a good garden border, complement to small conifers, or a tidy cover for a wire structure. Get tips about bush or upright clematis.
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Butterfly weed, or milkweed, is a native American wildflower at home in both the wild garden and the perennial border. This flower attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Find out more butterfly weed.
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Campanula, or bellflowers, vary in size, shape, and plant form but are usually blue, lavender, or white. They bloom from late spring into early summer. Learn how to grow the beautiful bellflower.
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The candytuft shrub blooms white with occasional pink flushing in spring, and its branches should be pruned afterward. Learn to plant candytuft to weave through a rock garden or to act as a border.
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Cardinals, deep-red tubular flowers on spikes two or more feet tall, are perennials that bring magical drama to the home garden and attract hummingbirds. Learn how to grow this fiery flower.
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Carolina lupine, also called Aaron's rod, is a yellow wildflower belonging to the pea family. It blooms at a time of year when yellow colors are lacking in the garden. Learn to use Carolina lupine.
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Catmint, or faassen nepeta, is -- like catnip -- a member of the mint family. Its bluish flowers may bloom twice. Find out how to make the best of this pretty mint.
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Chinese chives, or garlic chives, display both eye-catching leaves and dainty, pointy, white flowers. Learn to use Chinese chives in sun-filled or shaded gardens and as the centerpiece of a tall floral arrangement.
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Chinese forget-me-not, growing over 2 feet high, sprouts blue flowers, marking the height of summer. Stems that bend and a profusion of leaves are normal. Learn more about Chinese forget-me-not, perfect for the wild garden.
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Chinese fountain grass is a beautiful perennial that looks particularly impressive in fall. In late summer and fall its stems, topped by cylindrical, purple-tinged bristles, arch over the deep green foliage. Learn about this interesting decorative grass.
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Christmas Rose, known also as Lenten Rose or Hellebore, displays flat or tubular flowers in winter and early spring. Gardeners like the leaves for ground cover and use the flowers in arrangements.
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Chrysanthemums are highly variable members of the daisy clan, numbering more than 200 species of ornamental plants. This perennial's leaves are typically divided and aromatic. Find out more about chrysanthemums.
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Cinquefoil, a shrub with deep red flowers, takes to well-drained soil and direct sunlight. Cinquefoil is easy to care for and serves as the edge of your garden or flowerbed. Learn more about growing cinquefoil.
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Columbines are perennials perfect for cut flowers with a long blooming season. Columbines grow single, double, and triple flowers in a rainbow of colors and attract hummingbirds. Learn how to tame this wildflower.
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