What is a perennial plant?

Definition of Perennial: There are two ways to define the term perennial plant, a botanist's definition of perennial and a gardener's definition. A botanist defines a perennial as a plant whose life cycle is more than two years. Botanists classify plants as either annual, biennial, or perennial. Annuals complete their life cycle in a single year and then die of old age. Biennials take two years to complete their life cycle. Perennial flowers take more than two years to complete their life cycle.

For a gardener, the perennial vs. annual question also takes into account the weather tolerance of a plant and for gardeners, the definition of perennial is, a plant that survives the winter in my garden and comes back every year. For a perennial garden in Minnesota, a calla lily is an annual because it cannot tolerate the cold Minnesota winters, but in southern Florida, a calla lily is a perennial flower because it will live for many years.

Perennial flowering plants can be further divided into woody perennials like a tree or shrub and herbaceous perennials (not-woody) like peony or trillium. Plant Delights Nursery specializes in herbaceous perennials but we sell a few woody perennials too.

Our primary focus is on perennial flowers that are winter hardy in the southern US (Zone 6 and warmer) but we grow many perennial flowering plants that are cold tolerant in Zone 3, Zone 4, or Zone 5.

Read More about Perennials

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  • Image of Rubus pentalobus 'Emerald Carpet' taken at Lewis Ginter Botanic Gdn, VA

    Rubus pentalobus 'Emerald Carpet'

    Rubus pentalobus 'Emerald Carpet'

    Item #: 729

    Zones: 6a to 9b

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 6" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: Taiwan

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $21.00
    $21.00
  • Image of Rudbeckia auriculata taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Rudbeckia auriculata

    Rudbeckia auriculata

    Item #: 9404

    Zones: 7a to 10b, at least

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 96" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


     
    $24.00
    $24.00
  • Image of Rudbeckia deamii 'American Gold Rush' PP 28,498 taken at Walters Gardens, MI by JLBG

    Rudbeckia deamii 'American Gold Rush' PP 28,498

    Rudbeckia deamii 'American Gold Rush' PP 28,498

    Item #: 17526

    Zones: 5a to 9b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 24" tall

    Culture: Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $21.00
    $21.00
  • Image of Rudbeckia maxima taken at Juniper Level Botanic Garden, Raleigh NC by Lidia Churakova

    Rudbeckia maxima

    Rudbeckia maxima

    Item #: 355

    Zones: 4a to 9b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 80" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $21.00
    $21.00
  • Image of Rudbeckia mohrii 'Panhandler' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Rudbeckia mohrii 'Panhandler'

    Rudbeckia mohrii 'Panhandler'

    Item #: 18348

    Zones: 7b to 9b, guessing

    Dormancy:

    Height: 24" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


     
    $23.00
    $23.00
  • Image of Rudbeckia umbrosa taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Rudbeckia umbrosa

    Rudbeckia umbrosa

    Item #: 9719

    Zones: 5a to 8b, at least

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 30" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


     
    $21.00
    $21.00
  • Image of Ruellia elegans 'Ragin' Cajun' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Ruellia elegans 'Ragin' Cajun'

    Ruellia elegans 'Ragin' Cajun'

    Item #: 8832

    Zones: 7b to 10b, at least

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 48" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: Argentina, Brazil

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


     
    $21.00
    $21.00
  • Image of Ruellia sp. 'Humility' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Ruellia sp. 'Humility'

    Ruellia sp. 'Humility'

    Item #: 16728

    Zones: 5b to 9a

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 16" tall

    Culture: Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


     
    $22.00
    $22.00
  • Image of Ruscus aculeatus 'Andre the Giant' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Ruscus aculeatus 'Andre the Giant'

    Ruscus aculeatus 'Andre the Giant'

    Item #: 17671

    Zones: 7a to 9b, possibly colder

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 60" tall

    Culture: Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: England, Iran, Mediterranean Europe

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


     
    $30.00
    $30.00
  • Image of Ruscus aculeatus 'Elizabeth Lawrence' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Ruscus aculeatus 'Elizabeth Lawrence'

    Ruscus aculeatus 'Elizabeth Lawrence'

    Item #: 5932

    Zones: 7a to 9b, at least

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 24" tall

    Culture: Part Sun to Shade

    Origin: England, Iran, Mediterranean Europe, Southern Europe

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $29.00
    $29.00
  • Image of Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's'

    Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's'

    Item #: 1371

    Zones: 7a to 9b, possibly colder

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 54" tall

    Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: England, Iran, Mediterranean Europe, Southern Europe

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $39.00
    $39.00
  • Image of Ruscus x microglossum 'Eco Gardens' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by C. Hardison

    Ruscus x microglossum 'Eco Gardens'

    Ruscus x microglossum 'Eco Gardens'

    Item #: 3425

    Zones: 7b to 9b, at least

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 15" tall

    Culture: Light Shade to Shade

    Origin: Southern Europe

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


     
    $39.00
    $39.00
  • Image of Sabal 'Birmingham' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Sabal 'Birmingham'

    Sabal 'Birmingham'

    Item #: 4084

    Zones: 7a to 10b

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 180" tall

    Culture: Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: United States Hybrid

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $30.00
    $30.00
  • Image of Sabal 'DeFuniak' taken at DeFuniak Springs, FL by H. Jackson

    Sabal 'DeFuniak'

    Sabal 'DeFuniak'

    Item #: 15648

    Zones: 7b to 10b, guessing

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 400" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $28.00
    $28.00
  • Image of Sabal miamiensis taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Sabal miamiensis

    Sabal miamiensis

    Item #: 14303

    Zones: 7b to 10b, at least

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 78" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $30.00
    $30.00
  • Image of Sabal minor 'Emerald Isle Giant' taken at Jaycee Park, NC

    Sabal minor 'Emerald Isle Giant'

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    Sabal minor 'Emerald Isle Giant'

    Item #: 6684

    Zones: 7a to 10b

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 84" tall

    Culture: Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


     
    $28.00
    $28.00
    Next crop available: 07/30/2027
    Sold out
  • Image of Sabal minor 'Pittsview' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Sabal minor 'Pittsview'

    New plant icon

    Sabal minor 'Pittsview'

    Item #: 18223

    Zones: 6b to 10b, possibly colder

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 36" tall

    Culture: Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $28.00
    $28.00
  • Image of Sabal minor 'Rebecca Creek' taken at Rebecca Creek, TX by S. Lowe

    Sabal minor 'Rebecca Creek'

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    Sabal minor 'Rebecca Creek'

    Item #: 18029

    Zones: 6b to 10b, possibly colder

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 72" tall

    Culture: Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $28.00
    $28.00
    Next crop available: 10/16/2026
    Sold out
  • Image of Sabal minor var. louisiana taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Sabal minor var. louisiana

    Sabal minor var. louisiana

    Item #: 5175

    Zones: 7a to 10b

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 144" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $30.00
    $30.00
  • Image of Sabal palmetto 'Bald Head' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Sabal palmetto 'Bald Head'

    Sabal palmetto 'Bald Head'

    Item #: 15745

    Zones: 7b to 10b

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 360" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $28.00
    $28.00
  • Image of Sabal tamaulipensis taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Sabal tamaulipensis

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    Sabal tamaulipensis

    Item #: 6222

    Zones: 7b to 10b, at least

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 96" tall

    Culture: Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: Mexico

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $30.00
    $30.00
    Next crop available: 05/19/2028
    Sold out
  • Image of Salvia 'Amistad' PP 23,578 taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Salvia 'Amistad' PP 23,578

    Salvia 'Amistad' PP 23,578

    Item #: 6611

    Zones: 8a to 10b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 42" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: Hybrid

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $22.00
    $22.00
  • Image of Salvia azurea 'Little Boy Blue' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Salvia azurea 'Little Boy Blue'

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    Salvia azurea 'Little Boy Blue'

    Item #: 10547

    Zones: 4a to 8b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 48" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


     
    $22.00
    $22.00
    Sold out
  • Image of Salvia 'Big Blue' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Salvia 'Big Blue'

    Salvia 'Big Blue'

    Item #: 16696

    Zones: 7b to 10b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 48" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: Hybrid

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    $21.00
    $21.00

More Information About Perennials

Shop All Perennials!

Do you know what hardiness zone you are in? Use your zip code to find your zone! Below is our current list of perennial flowers for sale... A to Z. If you want to see all of the flowering perennials that we have sold in the past, please check out our Perennial Encyclopedia.