Perennials

Perennials are considered to be the absolute essential to gardens of all types and sizes. Most come back every year and will last for decades if properly cared for and divided every so often. A few perennials are short-lived and may only last for five or six seasons, but putting on a show that is worth renewing that often. Biennials are often thrown into the perennial category-these plants produce leaves the first year and flowers and fruit the second year before dying. There are hundreds of species of perennials available in the nursery trade, and thousands of individual cultivars of these. Hostas alone have more than 500 individually named cultivars across the country. Perennials are continuously being bred and selected for new and mixed colors, cold hardiness, drought tolerance, texture, height, durability, bloom time, soil adaptability, and chemical/salt tolerance.

Nearly every nursery carries at least a few perennials, if not hundreds. Perennials are generally sorted into two categories: Shade and Sun. However, they may also be sorted into more specific subcategories such as good for pollinators, good for bees, vines, drought tolerant, natives, and wet tolerant. Many perennials cross over categories and subcategories. Sun perennials are deemed as being able to withstand full sun to part sun, western exposure, and 8 or more hours of sun per day. Shade perennials generally prefer afternoon shade, full to part shade, and 6 or less hours of sunlight per day.