Seasonal Plants: Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Study Notes

Seasons vary by temperature, weather, amount of daylight, and rainfall
Plants go through seasons in different ways, some producing seeds and dying after a year or two, while others grow and produce seeds for many years
A growing season is a period of time when plants can grow, limited by factors such as climate, elevation, frost days, temperature, daylight hours, and rainfall
In tropical and equatorial regions, the growing season usually lasts all year, while in higher latitudes it may last for less than two months

Annual plants complete their life cycle in one growing season
Biennial plants take two seasons to complete their life cycle and die
Perennial plants live on for many years, flowering every year
The difference between annuals and perennials lies in the number of growing seasons they require to complete their life cycle

Annuals:
- Complete life cycle in one growing season
- Die after producing seeds
- Examples: Marigold, Corn, Rice, Lettuce
Biennials:
- Take two seasons to complete their life cycle and die
- Produce only leaves and roots during the first growing season
- Examples: Carrots, Parsley, Leek, Brussels Sprouts
Perennials:
- Live on for many years, flowering every year
- Can come back year after year without dying
- Examples: Potatoes, Spruce, Chives, Broccoli, Sunflowers, Grasses

Hardy annuals:
- Can tolerate cold soil, air, and light frosts without damage
- Examples: Ornamental Cabbage, Kale, Pansy, Snapdragon
Half-hardy annuals:
- Can tolerate cool soil and air and moderate frost (28°F)
- Examples: Geranium, Lobelia, Petunia, Gazania
Tender annuals:
- Cannot tolerate cool soil and air, will be killed by frost
- Examples: Begonia, Coleus, Vinca, Zinnia
Tender perennials:
- If planted in warmer zones, can come back every year
- Cannot tolerate frost
- Examples: Tropical Hibiscus, Geranium, Lantana

Perennial plants can survive for many growing seasons because they have structures that allow them to endure extreme temperature or water changes
Herbaceous plants may survive the dormant season through dieback and maintaining roots, rhizoids, bulbs, or tubers
Woody perennial plants can be categorized into three major types: evergreen, deciduous, and semi-deciduous