What Exactly are Perennials?
We hear different terms describing plants like perennials and annuals, but what is the difference? The line is a bit blurred here in southeast Texas with our generally mild winters. The easy answer is that annuals live for one season, and perennials live for many seasons. In colder climates, annuals die when the first freeze arrives; however, in our environment, they might survive the mild winter and live a full year...or even more (this is where the confusion sets in).
What are Some Characteristics of Perennials?
Perennials are resilient and should make it through the Winter. They might die back to the ground when it gets really cold, but the roots will survive. This is called root hardy, and the plants will put out new shoots when the weather warms up. In southeast Texas, perennials generally need to be planted in the Fall, with early Spring being the second-best time. Perennials are more expensive per plant than annuals and most bloom for a specific season, such as in the Spring or Fall, and might not produce flowers for months because they are putting a great deal of their energy into growing roots to sustain themselves for future years. They can be planted from bulbs or seeds, and many can be propagated by dividing them or by taking cuttings.
What are the Advantages of Gardening with Perennials?
The most obvious advantage of gardening with perennials is that new plants do not have to be set out every year, as is the case with annuals. A carefully planned perennial garden can produce color throughout the season and provide years of beauty and enjoyment. Perennials often require less maintenance than annual flowers. After they are established, perennials are usually more pest-resistant and need less water, especially if they are native.
What are Some Examples of Perennials?
- NEW GOLD LANTANA (Lantana camara): many flower colors; shear occasionally; everblooming; heat and drought tolerant; sun; 2 feet.
- INDIGO SPIRES SALVIA (Salvia hybrid): purple flowers; shear occasionally; very vigorous; excellent; sun; 3 feet.
- FIREBUSH (Hamelia patens): red-orange, tubular flowers, prized by hummingbirds; red fall foliage; everblooming; drought tolerant; shear occasionally; sun to part shade; hardy; 2 – 3 feet.
- DWARF INDIAN BLANKET (Gaillardia grandiflora): red-yellow, bi-color flowers; everblooming, remove spent blooms to extend bloom time; heat and drought tolerant; full sun; 1 foot.
- MEALY CUP SAGE (Salvia farinacea): blue, white, or purple flower spikes; blooms spring, summer, fall; shear occasionally; full sun; 2 to 3 feet.
- OX-EYE DAISY (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum): white flowers; blooms in spring; hardy; sun to part shade; 3 feet.
We are extremely fortunate to have a partnership with the Clear Lake Native Plant Society at the Evelyn Meador Branch Library. They have transformed most of our raised beds into a native/perennial plant showcase that is simply gorgeous! In fact, later this month, we will give patrons a chance to meet with these wonderful volunteers and learn about the benefits and how to implement this style of gardening at home. Please join us for "Meet the Gardeners in the Garden". We will also have aquatic milkweed seeds while supplies last.
Happy Gardening!
If you have further questions, feel free to submit your questions to a Harris County Master Gardener!
This month on the “Green Thumb” Program, Valerie Depew, Harris County Master Gardener (Advanced Master Gardener - Plant Pathology) answers any questions you might have and breaks down all you need to know on Powerful Perennials.
SPACER
The “Green Thumb” program is a monthly video lecture series led by a Harris County Master Gardener and hosted by the Harris County Public Library.
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