When planning a garden, it’s essential to understand the differences between annuals, perennials, and shrubs to choose the right plants for your space. Here’s a quick guide to help you identify and differentiate these plant types.

Annuals

Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle—from seed to flower and then die—all within a single growing season. They need to be replanted each year but they tend to bloom profusely, offering vibrant colour for months. Common examples include marigolds, petunias, and cosmos.

How to Identify Annuals:

  • They typically bloom for one season and then die
  • They grow quickly and produce abundant flowers
gardening garden design flowers flower bed cosmos

Perennials

Perennials are plants that live for more than two years, returning year after year. Once planted, perennials bloom during a specific season and die back to the ground in winter but re-emerge in the spring. Popular examples include brunnera, hostas and daylilies.

How to Identify Perennials:

  • They grow back from the same roots each year
  • They often bloom for a shorter period than annuals but last for many seasons
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gardening garden design roses climbing
gardening garden design flower beds perennials crevice alumroot

Shrubs

Shrubs are woody plants that remain above ground year-round and provide structure to a garden. Unlike annuals and perennials, which die back or need replanting, shrubs have permanent stems and branches. Examples include taxus, hydrangeas, and roses.

How to Identify Shrubs:

  • They have woody stems that persist through the winter.
  • They may be evergreen (keeping leaves year-round) or deciduous (losing leaves in winter).
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  • Annuals: Complete their life cycle in one season.
  • Perennials: Return every year from the same roots.
  • Shrubs: Woody, long-lasting plants that provide structure.

By understanding these differences, you can create a garden that balances seasonal colour with year-round structure and longevity.