Types of Plants - Annuals, Biennials, and Perennials
About Different Types of Plants
All of the plants in nature are categorized into three types. There are annual plants, perennial plants, and biennial plants. Each species are placed in one of these three groups based upon their life span. And, plants in each group have similar growth characteristics. It is important for gardeners and homeowners to know the type of plant before they plant them in their flower gardens, or on the deck. For example, perennial plants live for years. So, you want to plant them in a location where they will thrive undisturbed for many years.
Here are the basic life spans:
- Annual plants live just one year or growing season.
- Biennial plants grow just two years.
- Perennial plants live three or more years.
While we usually think about flowers as annuals plant, perennials, or biennials, every other plant species on the planet can be sorted into these three categories, too. Herbs have members in each of these three categories. Different weeds fit into these categories as well. With few exceptions, vegetables are annuals. Fruits, shrubs, bushes, and trees are perennial plants.
Types of Plants - Annuals
Annual plants live just one year or growing season. They grow from seeds. The seeds are usually planted in the spring. Then, the seeds sprout, grow, flower and produce fruit (if they are a fruiting plant) in one season. With just one season of life, the growth is fast and often furious. For example, many annual vining plants grow ten to fifteen feet long in a matter of several weeks. You can almost see the vine grow as you look at it. Another example is giant pumpkins. The fruit can grow to over a ton before frost arrives in the Fall.
At the end of the season, they die. Typically, the plants have a prolific number of flowers and seeds. Nature provides a profusion of seeds because annuals have just one chance at reproducing.
Types of Plants - Biennials
Biennials are plants that live for two years. This is the smallest group of the three types of plants. Plant propagation is from seeds.
During the first year, biennials sprout, grow and develop their root system. If planted early, some will flower and produce seeds in the first year. You can harvest some of the leaves of biennial herbs in the first year, too. Parsley is a good example. However, do not take too many leaves from first year plants, as this can affect the development of the root system for next year’s growth.
In the second year, biennial plants continue to grow. Then, the plants produce flowers and seeds. At the end of the second growing season, the plants die.
It is best to plant some biennials in year one. And sow a few more seeds in year two. The result is continuous flower production and harvest.
Types of Plants - Perennials
Perennial plants include the largest variety and number of plant species. Perennials grow for three years or more. Many perennial plants grow for decades. Some tree species, all perennial, can grow for over 100 years. A few of them live thousands of years.
Perennials propagate in a variety of ways. This includes:
- Seeds
- Rooting Cuttings
- Bulbs and Corms
- Roots and Rhizomes
- Division and Separation of Roots
- Grafting
- Layering
- Shoots and Runners
More on Plant Propagation
The oldest tree in the world was named Prometheus. It was a Great Basin Bristlecone Pine. in 1964, an ice age geologist was given permission to cut it down and determine its age. He counted 4,862 rings. He estimated its age as approximately, 4,900 years old!
Perennials characteristics vary widely. Many perennials require a number of years to grow before producing flowers, seeds, and fruit for the first time. Then, mature plants often produce flowers and fruit annually.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Please support our site. Shop for:
How To Grow
Other Gardening
Our Community
Contact Us
- rmmatthews100@hotmail.com
- 585-721-6528
- Rochester, NY
©1999-2024 GardenersNet.Com, All Rights Reserved