Gardeners depend on perennials as plants that come back year after year and flower reliably (as opposed to annuals and biennials that live for just a season or two). Some perennials are short lived, surviving a few years before turning woody and straggly, while others persist from year to year only requiring occasional division. Perennials that go dormant should be cut back and cleaned out before they start growing again in early spring. All perennials benefit from deadheading (removing spent flowers) to encourage more bloom. If planted young, perennials might take a year or two to get established before showing their full potential. Some perennials are grown not just for their showy blooms but add color and interest to the garden with colored or variegated foliage.
