True annuals are plants that germinate, flower, set seed, and die all in one season. Their ultimate goal is to reproduce themselves (set seed), which is good news for gardeners because most annuals will flower like mad until their mission is accomplished. And, if you use methods such as deadheading to prevent seed formation, many annuals will amp up their flower production and continue to bloom profusely until the first frost arrives. To learn more about annuals, visit the website below.

Charming beauty and limitless potential top the list of reasons to grow perennials. These reliable plants can be orchestrated to play symphonies of seasonal color that delight and inspire. A perennial is a non-woody plant that lives for more than two years and typically dies back as hard frosts embrace foliage. New growth emerges in spring, either from the ground or from remnants of woody stems. Some perennials, such as heart-leaf bergenia or mondo grass, retain foliage year-round. In warmer regions, they stand as evergreen sentries amid seasonal change. Hidden amid perennials' wonderful attributes, however, lie a few challenges. Visit the website below to learn more.

Biennials in the garden are flowering plants that have a two-year biological cycle. Biennial plant growth begins with seeds that produce the root structure, stems, and leaves (as well as food storage organs) during the first growing season. A short stem and low basal rosette of leaves form and remain through the winter months. During the biennial’s second season, the biennial plant growth completes with the formation of flowers, fruit, and seeds. The stem of the biennial will elongate or “bolt.” Following this second season, many biennials are reseeded and then the plant usually dies. Learn more at the website listed below.