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.
The foliage and seed heads of ornamental grasses help to extend the garden season through winter. These perennials usually have feathery or plumelike flowers. Learn more about ornamental grasses for the garden. See more »
Soapweeds are evergreens plants with swordlike clumps of leaves. They bear greenish-white flowers which turn up at night and become fragrant. They are very drought-resistant and are excellent as specimen plants.
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Soapwort, or bouncing bet, has stout stems swollen at the joints with oval leaves. It bears clustered pink or white flowers and are especially fragrant at night. Read more about this easy-to-care-for perennial.
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Stoke's aster is a native American wildflower. It has fluffy blue to lavender flowers and spiny-toothed alternating leaves. It needs full sun and good, well-drained soil and takes 1-2 years for full bloom.
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Sundrops (evening primrose) have petals that look like molten gold. The stems grow up to two feet high and are topped by clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom in the summer.
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Sweet rocket, or dame's violet, bears fragrant lilac flowers, whose scent is stronger at night than by day. Though short-lived, the plants often self-sow, making them good candidates for naturalizing. Learn about caring for sweet rocket.
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Thrifts, also called sea pinks, are excellent for a rock or wall garden. They bloom in spring with tightly packed globes of pink flowers and are very easy to care for.
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Thyme is usually relegated to the herb garden but it's creeping habit makes it a natural for edging and planting in between stepping stones in a sunny perennial garden. Read more about this misunderstood herb.
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Toad lilies are, contrary to their name, very attractive perennials with purple-spotted, creamy white flowers that bloom in late September or October. They prefer shade and must be protected against frost.
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Tufted hairgrass is an ornamental grass that remains green all year round. Small, brown flower spikes are produced in summer that last into the winter. Learn about its usages and care instructions of tufted hairgrass in this article.
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Veronica, or speedwell, is a roadside plant with pretty flowers that "speed you well." The perennial plant is good in rock gardens and as cut flowers. Learn how to grow veronica.
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While many flowers feature bright, vibrant colors, some gardeners prefer a subtler approach. Read about white to green perennial flowers, which have an airy appearance and blend in naturally with the green of most plants.
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Winter jasmine is as pretty and fragrant as regular jasmine, but it blossoms in winter. Although its name may hint at a preference for cold conditions, it is a perennial vine for warmer climates. Learn how to grow this perennial vine at home.
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Yarrow is a perennial flower that is excellent in garden borders, mass plantings or as cut flowers. These small wildflowers with fern-like foliage have an intriguing connection to Greek myth. Learn about yarrow.
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Yellow coneflowers, or black-eyed Susans, are an American wildflower. Their daisylike ray flowers and purple-brown disk flowers bloom in midsummer on to frost and are perfect for cutting. Learn more about these pretty perennials.
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Yellow foxglove is a strong-stemmed perennial with nodding bell-like flowers that form up one side of the stem and bloom in summer. They are easy to care for and superb in a wild garden.
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Yellow ginger lily is a fragrant tropical perennial that blooms in late summer. It prefers full sun and moist soil and can successfully be planted in a container. Read about this striking plant and how to care for it.
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One way to liven up a garden is by including colors that stand out. Learn how yellow to orange perennial flowers can brighten your yard, and which ones are right for your garden.
See more »Fragrant Solomon's seal is a graceful plant with tall leaves, creamy bell-shaped flowers, and blue-black fruit. It may take some time to get established, but is well worth the wait. Read about this colorful plant.
See more »Hollyhocks are typical cottage garden flowers. They come in a variety of colors that are either single or double and may blossom several times throughout summer. Read about this flower that is regaining its popularity.
See more »Leadwort is a beautiful ground cover with foliage that especially shines at the end of the season. It is a semi-evergreen that should not be planted with other perennials. Read about it here.
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