what are perennial plants

Perennial plants are plants that live for more than two years, in contrast to shorter-lived annuals and biennials. They can include a wide variety of plant groups, from non-flowering plants like ferns and liverworts to diverse flowering plants like orchids, grasses, and woody plants. Perennials can be herbaceous, meaning they die back every autumn and winter and then return in the spring from their rootstock or other overwintering structure, or woody, such as fruit trees and landscaping ornamentals. Some perennials can be short-lived, while others can live for many years. Examples of perennial plants include peonies, bee balms, and mother of thyme. Perennials require very little maintenance after initial planting and can provide fresh blooms, beautiful colors, and sweet scents every year. They can also be cultivated as food crops, such as asparagus, rhubarb, and strawberries, and as ornamental plants in gardens and landscapes.