Types Of Flowers

There are as many flowers in the world as there are people who grow them. For a gardener, it is important to be familiar with different types of flowers and how to recognize them.

Annuals are flowers that complete their life cycle in one growing season. Types of annual flowers differ in their cold-weather and frost resistance, which is called hardiness.

Hardy Annuals are the most cold tolerant; they can withstand light freezing and frost without being killed. They are not heat-tolerant whatsoever; they die easily in high summer temperatures. Some examples of these types of flowers include calendula, cornflower, foxglove, larkspur, pansy, sweet alyssum, stocks and viola.

Half-hardy Annuals can tolerate small amounts of damp, cold weather but are easily damaged by frost. These types of flowers can be planted in early spring, after the last frost. They begin to die by midsummer and can re-bloom toward the end of the summer. Some types of half-hardy annuals are baby's breath, bells of Ireland, blue sage, cleome, forget-me-not, strawflower and torenia.

Tender Annuals are native to warm, tropical climates. They are extremely cold-sensitive and are easily damaged in a frost. They will not germinate in soils below 60 degrees Fahrenheit; their roots will instead rot. Wait two or three weeks after the last spring frost to plant these types of flowers. Some examples include ageratum, balsam, begonia, celosa, impatiens, marigold, morning glory, petunia, verbena and zinnia.

Perennial flowers have a life cycle of three or more years in local growing conditions. Because every part of the world has a different climate, the definition of a perennial is somewhat elastic; it depends on the region in which one lives. Most perennials have a shorter bloom season compared to annuals. There are different types of flowers within the perennial group.

Herbaceous Perennials have stems that die back to the ground each winter and re-grow in spring. Some examples of these types of flowers include yarrow, New England aster, red valerian, delphinium and columbine.

Woody Perennials have stems that live from season to season, and grow larger each year. Some different types of these flowers are holly, azalea, lilac, butterfly bush and rhododendrons.

Biennials are plants or flowers that grow their leaves, stems and roots during the first growing season, live during winter and then bloom again the second growing season. After the period of blooming and seeding, this type of flower dies. A few examples of biennial flowers include hollyhock, parsley and sweet William.