Plant and Garden Reference Information

Perennial Plants

Plants that can grow and flower for a period of over two years are referred to as perennial plants. These are divided into two main subcategories, woody and herbaceous. Woody perennial plants are those that develop roots and a base system of thick wood like trees and shrubs. Herbaceous perennials are those that do not develop a woody base and root system such as ferns, orchids, and grasses.

Another division of perennial plants is defined by the type of flowering cycle. Those that flower only once in their lifetime and die are monocarpic. Those that flower, wilt, and flower again throughout their lifetime are referred to as polycarpic.

Many perennials will continue their growth cycle throughout their lifetime hindered only by climate conditions. A subset of these will grow through the supportive seasons and then wilt and lay dormant during cold seasons, these are referred to as deciduous plants.

List of perennial plants