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 Trillium recurvatum 'Arcadia' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Trillium recurvatum 'Arcadia'

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    Trillium recurvatum 'Arcadia'

    Item #: 8684

    Zones: 5a to 9b

    Dormancy: Summer, Fall

    Height: 18" tall

    Culture: Light Shade

    Origin: United States

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


     
    $30.00
    $30.00
    Next crop available: 02/19/2027
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  • Image of Trillium x recurvifolium 'Love Shack' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Trillium x recurvifolium 'Love Shack'

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    Trillium x recurvifolium 'Love Shack'

    Item #: 16645

    Zones: 5a to 9b

    Dormancy: Summer, Fall

    Height: 12" tall

    Culture: Light Shade

    Origin: United States Hybrid

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


     
    $30.00
    $30.00
    Next crop available: 02/19/2027
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  • Image of Trillium underwoodii

    Trillium underwoodii

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    Trillium underwoodii

    Item #: 2973

    Zones: 6a to 9b

    Dormancy: Summer, Fall

    Height: 8" tall

    Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: United States

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


    $37.00
    $37.00
    Next crop available: 02/19/2027
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  • Image of Tripidium arundinaceum taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Tripidium arundinaceum

    Tripidium arundinaceum

    Item #: 1735

    Zones: 6a to 10b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 120" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: China

    Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.8 L)


    $30.00
    $30.00
  • Image of Urophysa henryi taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Urophysa henryi

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    Urophysa henryi

    Item #: 15673

    Zones: 6a to 9a, guessing

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 4" tall

    Culture: Light Shade

    Origin: China

    Pot Size: 2.5" pot (7.9 fl. oz/233 ml)


    $25.00
    $25.00
    Logo indicating plant is one of Tony's Favorites
  • Image of Uvularia grandiflora taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Uvularia grandiflora

    Uvularia grandiflora

    Item #: 1754

    Zones: 3a to 9b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 18" tall

    Culture: Part Sun to Shade

    Origin: United States

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


     
    $23.00
    $23.00
  • Image of Verbena bonariensis taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Verbena bonariensis

    Verbena bonariensis

    Item #: 1144

    Zones: 7a to 10b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 30" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: South America

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


    $20.00
    $20.00
  • Image of Verbena canadensis 'Snowflurry' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Verbena canadensis 'Snowflurry'

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    Verbena canadensis 'Snowflurry'

    Item #: 1148

    Zones: 5a to 8b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 12" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: United States

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


    $20.00
    $20.00
    Next crop available: 06/12/2026
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  • Image of Verbena catharinae 'Lavender Frappe' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Verbena catharinae 'Lavender Frappe'

    Verbena catharinae 'Lavender Frappe'

    Item #: 9573

    Zones: 7b to 10b, at least

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 1" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: Brazil

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


    $21.00
    $21.00
    Logo indicating plant is one of Tony's Favorites
  • Image of Verbena peruviana taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Verbena peruviana

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    Verbena peruviana

    Item #: 1154

    Zones: 6a to 10b

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 2" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: Argentina, Brazil

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


    $20.00
    $20.00
    Next crop available: 06/19/2026
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  • Image of Verbena 'Pink Princess'

    Verbena 'Pink Princess'

    Verbena 'Pink Princess'

    Item #: 10782

    Zones: 8a to 10b, at least

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 18" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: Hybrid

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


    $20.00
    $20.00
  • Image of Verbena 'Princess Bride' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Verbena 'Princess Bride'

    Verbena 'Princess Bride'

    Item #: 6646

    Zones: 7b to 10b, at least

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 12" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: Hybrid

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


    $20.00
    $20.00
  • Image of Verbena tenera 'Sissinghurst' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Verbena tenera 'Sissinghurst'

    Verbena tenera 'Sissinghurst'

    Item #: 1159

    Zones: 7b to 10b

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 3" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: Hybrid

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


    $20.00
    $20.00
  • Image of Verbena tenuisecta 'Decked Out' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Verbena tenuisecta 'Decked Out'

    Verbena tenuisecta 'Decked Out'

    Item #: 5423

    Zones: 7b to 10b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 6" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: Hybrid

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


    $20.00
    $20.00
  • Image of Vernonia angustifolia 'Plum Peachy'

    Vernonia angustifolia 'Plum Peachy'

    Vernonia angustifolia 'Plum Peachy'

    Item #: 6206

    Zones: 5a to 8b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 48" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: United States

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


    $24.00
    $24.00
  • Image of Vernonia gigantea 'Jonesboro Giant' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Vernonia gigantea 'Jonesboro Giant'

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    Vernonia gigantea 'Jonesboro Giant'

    Item #: 6548

    Zones: 5a to 9b, at least

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 144" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: United States

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


    $24.00
    $24.00
    Next crop available: 06/12/2026
    Sold out
  • Image of Vernonia lettermanii taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Vernonia lettermanii

    Vernonia lettermanii

    Item #: 6670

    Zones: 4a to 9b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 24" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: United States

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


    $22.00
    $22.00
  • Image of Vernonia 'Violet Night' PPAF taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Vernonia 'Violet Night' PPAF

    Vernonia 'Violet Night' PPAF

    Item #: 18529

    Zones: 4a to 9b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 48" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: United States Hybrid

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


    $22.00
    $22.00
  • Image of Veronica umbrosa 'Georgia Blue' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Veronica umbrosa 'Georgia Blue'

    Veronica umbrosa 'Georgia Blue'

    Item #: 1170

    Zones: 4a to 8b, guessing

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 4" tall

    Culture: Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: Asia, Europe

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


    $21.00
    $21.00
  • Image of Vinca minor 'Illumination' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Vinca minor 'Illumination'

    Vinca minor 'Illumination'

    Item #: 3419

    Zones: 4a to 8b, at least

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 2" tall

    Culture: Part Sun to Shade

    Origin: Asia, Europe

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


    $21.00
    $21.00
  • Image of Viola pedata 'Eco Artist Palette' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Viola pedata 'Eco Artist Palette'

    Viola pedata 'Eco Artist Palette'

    Item #: 7215

    Zones: 4a to 8b

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 3" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: United States

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


    $24.00
    $24.00
  • Image of Woodwardia prolifera 'Mama Mia' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Woodwardia prolifera 'Mama Mia'

    Woodwardia prolifera 'Mama Mia'

    Item #: 6861

    Zones: 7b to 10b

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 48" tall

    Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade

    Origin: China, Japan

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


     
    $23.00
    $23.00
  • Image of Yucca aloifolia 'Magenta Magic' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG

    Yucca aloifolia 'Magenta Magic'

    Yucca aloifolia 'Magenta Magic'

    Item #: 13747

    Zones: 7a to 9b, guessing

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 24" tall

    Culture: Sun

    Origin: United States

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


    $28.00
    $28.00
  • Image of Yucca 'Dragon Slayer' PP 36,889 taken at Walters Gardens, MI by JLBG

    Yucca 'Dragon Slayer' PP 36,889

    Yucca 'Dragon Slayer' PP 36,889

    Item #: 18530

    Zones: 5b to 10b, at least

    Dormancy: Evergreen

    Height: 24" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: United States Hybrid

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


     
    $27.00
    $27.00
    Logo indicating plant is one of Tony's Favorites

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.