A perennial is technically any plant that lives for more than two years, but gardeners loosely define them as small, non-woody plants whose leaves die back during winter and reemerge in the spring.

With so many varieties available it can help to choose perennials based on colour or bloom time. They grow well in a huge variety of conditions and are valued for their versatility. Select perennials to add colour to a drab garden bed, fill out a mass planting, or create an attractive border.