Re: Lantana a perennial?

In a message dated 5/3/02 12:23:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
ddstage@sde.state.id.us writes:

<< Who defines "annual" anyway?
 Bill Lee
  >>
The botanic definination would, I suppose, indicate birth and death in the 
course of a year in response to season.   The somewhat different plant that 
grows until it produces seed, then dies is monocarpic.  There are several 
other less common sorts of plants living only a short time, a short time 
period until it is reproduced such as bulbous plants.

But for the current use of the word annual, the botanic or scientific 
definination has been expanded to include plants grown  or intended to be 
grown for only one season.

There are several new (and really good) books on annuals which include 
tropicals which are truly perennial, other tender perennials, succulents with 
monocarpic tendencies.

I think that the current happy state of planting up containers which can be 
moved around at will and grow warm soil plants in the cold north has expanded 
the common use of annual to mean a plant that grows until the winter finishes 
it despite it's botanic classification.  Often you see the phrase "grow as an 
annual".  Therefore an annual unless you are writing an article which will 
bring you critical mail means a plant grown for one season. 

Houseplants are usually perennial but are sold as houseplants or indoor 
plants.  The usage of the word would be as the public understands it.    Back 
to Lantana, some of the southern states consider it a weed.  Yet, it is sold 
here in the spring in many inviting colors and does well as a hanger over the 
summer months.  

We do in the northern states tend to have an understanding of plants that 
revolve entirely around the seasons.  Alan's Lantana may be considered quite 
differently in the southwest.   I recall being impressed by large rosemary 
shrubs in the desert, some upright and some prostrate.  Yet here Rosemary is 
a container plant and needs a greenhouse in the winter.  I do think annual 
means to the gardener, a plant that has a limited life although we all know 
there is another definition.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4  

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