Re: How long plants last





In regards to foxglove, there are two kinds:  biennial and perennial, with
the most common being the biennial kinds.  The fact that a lot of gardening
books call a particular plant "short-lived", yet do not specify the
duration, leaves open all of the other factors in a person's garden that
can determine the life span of a plant.  For example, a plant that is in a
zone closer to its natural habitat may last longer than if it was in a
cooler/warmer zone.  Some plants may naturally have a life span of three to
four years, blooming like mad then fizzing out, yet qualify as a perennial
because it does come back each of those years.  Some may seem to be
perennials but actually reseed themselves to come back every year.  Others
just end up looking weedy after a few years and should be thrown in the
compost heap, thus earning the label "short-lived".  Go figure.  Depends on
the source you are reading at the moment.

It's not a technical answer that I give you, yet one based on a little
experience.  There is no cut and dry answer that I know of, as rules can
change even within zones.  For instance, I cannot grow delphiniums well in
my zone 5/6 garden, yet a co-worker who lives less than 10 miles away, but
in a higher altitude, has no problem whatsoever.   In the cooler climates
of England, the delphs are longer lived than here in the States as a
general rule (there are exceptions of course).  If you read a reference
book published overseas, then the delphs are classified as regular
perennials.  Here, I believe they are mostly classified as "short-lived"
perennials.  Are you following my thread now? The secret here is
microclimates, which can enable you to grow things your neighbors cannot,
thereby determining how long your "short-lived" perennials will thrive.  As
a general rule, I look at the "short-lived" perennials as something that I
can enjoy for a couple of years before I can dig it up and replace it with
something new.  Think of it as opportunity.


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