What are Annuals, Biennials, and Perennials?

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between Annuals, Biennials, and Perennials?

Annuals: these flowers complete their life cycle (vegetative plant, bloom, setting seed, to death of plant) in one growing season. Most annuals need to be replanted each years but some will re-sow themselved each year. Their seeds are scattered by the wind, etc and pop up the next season. Some examples include Larkspur, cornflower, poppies, desert marigold, canendual, scarlet flax, and Johnny Jump-ups.

Biennials: these plants grow vegetatively in their first year, flower in the second year and typically die after flowering. Arizona has two growing seasons so some of he biennials complete their life cycle in one year.

Perennials: these plants will live more than two years and will bloom each year once established. Some will die back in the off season while others will retain their foliage year round. The off season in Arizona can include the hot summer season and the cold frost in the winter. Many perennials in other parts of the country are considered annuals in Arizona due to the harsh summers or mild winters.