Hardy Perennials

For one reason or another I have always been intrigued by hardy perennials that have the ability to return and thrive in the garden from year to year.

Probably the very first perennials that I noticed during my childhood were tiger lilies at my grandmothers.

I have a vivid memory of the way that her hardy lilies performed every year in cold hardiness zone five where winter temperatures quite often dropped as low as ten to twenty degrees below zero.

Elsewhere on our site we have explained the difference between annuals, biennials and perennials and feel that it would be good to do so here as well but this time a plant will be used as an example for each classification.

• Annual: Thrives for one growing season only. Wax leaf begonias are annuals.

• Biennial: Most members of this group exist for two growing seasons and in some cases bloom only the second year. Digitalis (Foxglove) purpurea is a biennial.

• Perennial: Should exhibit the ability to return and beautify its space in the landscape for three years or more. Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox) is a hardy perennial.

Of course there are additional classifications within each group such as half-hardy perennials, etc.

However, in order to not cloud the water we will refrain from going in to all of the additional sub listings.

When choosing perennials you must know your cold hardiness zone and check that your selection meets or exceeds your zone.

When selecting plants for gardens in the southern part of the United States it would be wise to provide at least some shade for those listed as requiring full sun.

Gardening is not an exact science and depending on where we live it will be necessary to experiment with plant varieties, exposure, water and nutrient requirements.