Perennial plants are often thought of as hardy plants that can survive long-term through a variety of conditions. But the actual definition of a perennial plant is any long-lived plant from the smallest flowers to the largest trees.

Smaller perennial flowers often develop a special means of surviving through winter which can include specialized stems, bulbs, crowns, and so forth. Trees are formed of robust woody tissue that allows them to live thousands of years in many cases.

Whether it's a tree that lives for several millennia, or a tiny flower that survives for just two seasons, both are considered perennials.

What Kind of Perennial is Right for Me?

The perennial plants you choose for your own garden will depend largely on your own tastes, the level of effort you are willing to put into a plant's care, whether your garden receives lots of sun or spends more time in the shade, how cold your winters and how hot your summers are, and many other factors.

If your garden receives a lot of sun, then you might want to consider perennial flowers that enjoy receiving plenty of sun.

Plant stores often have perennials for sale that are hardy and known for their resistance to drought, heat, cold, and other stresses. Perennials plants that are meant to be in the sun are often of this hardy variety, specifically developed for high heat and drought-like conditions, requiring little care. These kinds of plants will do well in desert states such as Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

If your garden experience less sunlight and more shade, then look for perennials designed to survive in low-sunlight conditions. Plants that thrive in the shade are less likely to be drought resistant and will probably require more watering and care than usual, so if that's what you need, be sure to check on that.

Going For the Low Maintenance Perennial Plants

By buying plants that are known to grow well under harsh conditions, you should be able to successfully grow them with little effort, even if your thumb isn't quite as green as you'd like it to be.

Check with a salesman at your favorite gardening store to ensure that the plants and flowers you look at have been bred specifically for durability under a wide variety of harsh conditions. It's better to go with a plant that is "over durable" since paying more attention to your plants than is required is unlikely to hurt them.

Choose your perennials, flowers, and other plants wisely, and you'll be able to derive years of enjoyment from your garden.