Lower Height Perennials

Low-growing perennials come in a wide range of choices for gardening. There are flowering perennials for every season, making year round color possible for gardens. Perennials reseed each year, allowing gardeners to save time and money on annual replanting.

Life Cycle

Perennials have a life span that lasts for a minimum of two years. This type of plant blossoms throughout several flower seasons. Perennials fall into two categories: herbaceous and woody. Herbaceous perennials develop soft stems that die during the winter and regenerate in the spring. Woody perennials form sturdy wood stems that withstand cold winter temperatures.

Uses

Gardeners plant low perennials as ground covering, filler and border plants. Low-growing perennials are plants that only grow up to 24 inches in height.

Types

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is a late-winter-blooming plant native to Eurasia that grows 6 to 18 inches tall with a spread 18 inches wide. The lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a 6- to 12-inch-high, late-spring-blossoming plant that originates from the Northern Hemisphere. The autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) is a 4- to 12-inch-tall, fall-flowering plant indigenous to Europe, North Africa and Asia.

Fun Fact

Florists use shorter perennials for cut flowers, hair accessories and corsages.

References

• Oregon State University Extension: Plant Life Cycles
• University of Vermont Extension: Consider Carnations
• Michigan State University Extension: Dianthus caryophyllus -- Carnation
• Cornell University Extension: Lily of the Valley
• Union County College Extension: Autumn Crocus