Difference Between Annuals, Perennials and Biennials

When I just started gardening, I didn't care much about what I planted. A flower was a flower. You sow it, it will grow and bloom someday. But if you want to make your own garden design, knowing when a flower blooms or dies is important. The terms annual, perennial and biennial should be clear in your mind:

Annuals
Annuals are plants that grow from seeds, bloom and seed within a single growing season. The complete plant dies(leaves, stem and roots) after the growing season. A common example of an annual flower is marigold which blooms througout the growing season. In non-tropical climates, annuals should be planted in spring.

Perennials
Perennials are plants that come back for many growing seasons. Part of the plant dies back in winter and grow again from the same roots the following growing season. They may not bloom the first growing season and they bloom for only a couple of weeks each season. These plants need periodic replacement(each 3 -5 years).

Biennials
Biennials are plants that needs two years to grow before dying. They grow vegetatively the first year, go through winter and blooms the following year. These plants die after blooming and seeding.

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Cactus bloom

There's some pictures of my cactus(anyone got the ID???) blooming this year. It bloomed twice this year. The first attempt was right before a tropical depression(a.k.a cyclone) visits Mauritius. The cactus sent a bloom that started to open during the cyclone. Unfortunately, the winds broke the flower off. Notice the grey sky, it was a clear sign that the cyclone was near.

 

5th Feb 2009

7th Feb 2009

By the 8th February, there were no flower on the cactus, the wind wiped it off. I though that I would have to wait the following year for the next bloom.

Fortunately for me, my cactus was kind enough to bloom again in April 2009!! And this time, I had a better camera to shoot the flowers :-)

 

18th April 2009

  

19th April  2009

  

Same day. Look attentively, there are two flowers

  

The beautiful flower, open at last

This time, the flowers bloomed well and could be observed without any problem. The flower doesn't last long and dies(turns black) the following day. I didn't try to collect the seeds as this cactus is easily propagated. If you're interested in seed collection, I'll try it next year during the next bloom.

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