Perennials are the most beloved in gardens, as they provide year-round shade and make them look evergreen.. But there are many doubts about what exactly they are; in fact, due to the name we have given them, many of us might think that they have an infinite life expectancy.
However, this is not so. There are many species that live for hundreds and even thousands of years, but all of them have a limited life, just like all other living things.
What are perennials?
These types of plants are the most common in the world. Regardless of the type they are, that is, regardless of whether they are trees, palms, herbaceous, aquatic, etc., perennials are characterized by living more than two years. Some, like the conifer Sequoiadendron giganteum, has a life expectancy of 3200 years, but most do not exceed 100 years.
These wonderful plants have the ability to resume growth after a very cold winter or a very dry and hot summer. Some of them have evergreen leaves, so we can see them always green (although we should not be confused, since they usually renew every year although little by little, throughout the year), and others have deciduous leaves (of which we can only contemplate its trunk during one or two unique seasons a year).
What are the differences between perennials and seasonal plants?
These are extraordinary plants that, although they could look similar to those with a life cycle of one or two years, if we look a little more we will realize how different they really are. One of the main differences is the root system: the one with a perennial plant is much more developed. Its roots go deeper into the earth to absorb more water. Some of them have tubers or rhizomes thanks to which it is easier for them to resurface year after year.
Another crucial difference is the amount of seeds they produce. In the case of perennials, the number can be staggering, several tens of thousands; in contrast, seasonal plants produce very few in comparison. Although, it must be said, the germination rate of the latter is usually much higher; Not in vain, they can only reproduce by seeds and if they are not viable, they will have used energy for nothing.
Continuing with the theme of multiplication, perennials can be multiplied in different ways: one is for seeds, but new specimens can also be obtained by cuttings, layering, division of rhizomes, and by separating suckers or bulbs.
What types are there?
There are so many perennials, so many, that we could create a blog just for them. All those who live more than two years, are. With this in mind, we have selected for you those that can be kept in a pot or in the garden.
Perennials for pot
Cactus
Rebutia iscayachensis
Cacti, like succulent plants, are ideal plants to grow in containers, with the exception of those species that grow a lot, such as giant carnegia or the Lanata wife. Even so, most will look great in a pot in full sun avoiding the central hours of the day.
Flowers
There are many perennial flowers that you can have decorating your patio or terrace, such as carnations, geraniums (Pelargonium sp), the echinaceae (Echinacea sp) or those known by the name of bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis). They only need to receive a minimum of 4 hours of direct light a day and regular watering for them to be perfect..
Aromatic plants
All the aromatic plants, such as the lavender essence , mint or mint, are perennial plants whose leaves and / or flowers give off a very pleasant aroma, so much so that they are used to flavor many dishes. And the best thing is that they can be both indoors and outdoors, as long as there are no strong frosts.
Perennials for garden
Trees
All trees are evergreen. Due to the size that they can reach, the ideal is that they are planted in the garden, but we have to know that there is evergreen trees, which are those that lose their leaf throughout the year, and those of fallen Leaf, which are those that are left without leaves in some season (summer or winter).
Palms
Palm trees, like trees, are also perennial. There are about 3000 species distributed mainly in the warm regions of the world, and only a few can be found in places with a temperate climate, such as those of the genus Trachycarpus, or the species Phoenix canariensis y dactylifera, or the Chamaerops humilis. Whichever you choose, your garden will surely look even more beautiful 😉.
Climbers
Did you think that there are no perennial climbing plants? The truth is that there are, and many more than we might think at first: jasmine, dipladenia, ivy, clerodendron, night Lady, fleshy hoya or the passiflora are just some of them. Click on their names to learn more about each one.
Do you know other plants that are perennials?