The terms perennials, biennials, and annuals refer to how long a plant lives and how it grows through the seasons. This is also based on your planting zone, see list below of 50 states. This is listed on plant tags or packages.
While annuals can grow in a short time in the colder zones, they can be perennials in the warmer zones. Some examples are Banna tree, Poinsettia’s, Tropical Hibiscus are used for summer ornamental purposes, in their growing climate are trees and shrubs.
So, trying to find a Rhododendron in Florida, not possible, because they need that Dormancy is a crucial phase in the life cycle of many plants, particularly in temperate climates, where cold winters provide an essential period of rest.
During dormancy, plants slow down their metabolic processes, conserving energy and preparing for the upcoming growing season. This rest period allows plants to survive harsh winter conditions and thrive when warmer weather returns. Whether you’re planting trees, shrubs, or perennials, understanding the role of dormancy can help you better care for your garden, especially when planting in the fall and winter.
Key Differences:
- Annuals: Live for one year.
- Biennials: Live for two years (first year for vegetative growth, second for flowering and seeding).
- Perennials: Live for multiple years, often returning each season after dying back in the winter.
Each type of plant has its strengths depending on what you want for your garden—whether it’s vibrant, season-long color (annuals), a unique, multi-season bloom cycle (biennials), or long-lasting structure and blooms year after year (perennials).
Here’s a breakdown of each:
1. Annuals
- Life Cycle: Annuals complete their entire life cycle in one year. They grow from seed, flower, produce seeds, and die all within the same year.
- Growth: These plants typically start growing in the spring or summer, bloom, and die off in the fall or winter.
- Examples: Marigolds, petunias, zinnias, and impatiens.
- Use: Annuals are popular for providing vibrant color throughout the growing season. Since they only last for one year, they need to be replanted each season.
2. Biennials
- Life Cycle: Biennials have a two-year life cycle. In the first year, they focus on growing leaves and roots. In the second year, they flower, produce seeds, and then die. The cycle repeats itself.
- Growth: They don’t flower in their first year but will often form rosettes of leaves. In the second year, they flower and go to seed.
- Examples: Foxglove, hollyhocks, and parsley.
- Use: Biennials offer the benefit of having something new blooming in the second season, but they need to be planned out so that there’s a continuous cycle of flowers.
3. Perennials 
- Life Cycle: Perennials live for more than two years, and they often return year after year from the same root system. They may flower annually, but their life span lasts for many seasons.
- Growth: In many cases, perennials die back to the ground in winter and then regrow in the spring from the same root system. Some perennials, however, retain their leaves year-round.
- Examples: Daylilies, lavender, Hosta’s, and peonies.
- Use: Perennials are great for low-maintenance gardens because they don’t need to be replanted each year. Their blooms may not be as consistent as annuals, but many have longer blooming periods or are good for foliage and texture throughout the year.
50 states
| State | Coldest Planting Zone | Warmest Planting Zone |
| Alabama | 7a | 9a |
| Alaska | 1a | 8b |
| Arizona | 4b | 10b |
| Arkansas | 6b | 8a |
| California | 5a | 10b |
| Colorado | 5b | 6ak |
| Connecticut | 5b | 7a |
| Delaware | 7 | 7 |
| Florida | 8a | 11a |
| Georgia | 6a | 9a |
| Hawaii | 9a | 13a |
| Idaho | 3b | 7b |
| Illinois | 5a | 7a |
| Indiana | 5b | 6b |
| Iowa | 4b | 6a |
| Kansas | 5b | 7a |
| Kentucky | 6a | 7a |
| Louisiana | 8a | 10a |
| Maine | 3b | 5b |
| Maryland | 5b | 8a |
| Massachusetts | 5a | 7b |
| Michigan | 4a | 5b |
| Minnesota | 3a | 5a |
| Mississippi | 7a | 9a |
| Missouri | 5b | 7a |
| Montana | 3a | 5b |
| Nebraska | 4a | 5b |
| Nevada | 4a | 10a |
| New Hampshire | 3b | 6a |
| New Jersey | 6a | 7b |
| New Mexico | 4b | 9a |
| New York | 3b | 7b |
| North Carolina | 5b | 8b |
| North Dakota | 2b | 6a |
| Ohio | 5a | 6a |
| Oklahoma | 6a | 7b |
| Oregon | 4b | 9b |
| Pennsylvania | 5b | 7a |
| Rhode Island | 5b | 7a |
| South Carolina | 7a | 9a |
| South Dakota | 3b | 4b |
| Tennessee | 5b | 8a |
| Texas | 6b | 10a |
| Utah | 4a | 9a |
| Vermont | 3b | 5b |
| Virginia | 5a | 8a |
| Washington | 4a | 9a |
| West Virginia | 5a | 7a |
| Wisconsin | 3b | |
| 3a | 6a |
No matter which one you choose, the plants never fail to disappoint.