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UF/IFAS Extension University of Florida

Perennial Flowers

Orange chrysanthemums

A perennial is a plant that lives for an extended time and that flowers and produces seed throughout its life.

Also of Interest

Perennials can add excitement to any landscape with their color and versatility. They’re defined as plants that can live for two or more growing seasons.

Your first, and most important, step in planting perennials is preparing the bed. Because perennials often remain for years without being divided or moved, proper soil preparation is essential. If your soil is sandy, enrich it with manure, peat, or compost. Space the plants out to allow for future growth, and be sure to top off with mulch.

In parts of Florida, your perennials may die back to the ground at various times of the year and may re-grow. Many people choose to treat their perennials as annuals, discarding and replacing the plants each season.