Perennial plants are those that live for more than two years, returning year after year without needing to be replanted. These plants typically experience cycles of growth, dormancy, and regrowth, which can result in a reliable garden structure and continuous blooms over the seasons. Examples of perennial plants include peonies, daylilies, and many types of grasses.
On the other hand, non-perennial plants, commonly referred to as annuals and biennials, complete their life cycles within one or two years. Annuals, such as marigolds and petunias, grow, bloom, and die within a single growing season, requiring replanting each year. Biennials, like foxgloves, take two years to complete their life cycle, flowering in the second year before dying off.
In summary, the key difference lies in their lifespans: perennials come back for multiple seasons, while non-perennials complete their life cycles more quickly, necessitating regular replanting.