... that's more than two years. Though there are exceptions, it would probably be easiest for you to think that plants that go from seed to seed in one year, and do not return the next, are annuals. Completes life cycle & goes from seed to seed & dies after a year = annual Takes 2 years to complete its life cycle = biennial Capable of persisting for 3 growth cycles (years) or more = perennial The geographical location a plant is grown in has nothing to do with whether a plant is a perennial or annual. "... are there any true annuals?" Yes, of course - many thousands of them. Something I wrote a while back that is related & may give you more insight: "First, let's make a differentiation between annual and perennial. Technically, and in most cases, an annual is a plant that germinates, flowers and dies within the period of one annual growth cycle. You can artificially prolong the life of annuals by preventing them from setting seed or by manipulating photoperiod (day length - more specifically, night length is actually the determining factor). Perennials are plants that are capable of living for three or more growth cycles. Trees are perennials. We often mistakenly refer to plants such as Coleus, snapdragon, petunias, or Impatiens as annuals, simply because they will not overwinter in some zones, when in fact, they are all true perennials because they are capable of living for three growth cycles. Annuals have adapted to their reproductive strategy for a number of reasons. 1) The plants die in order that they can translocate biological nutrients and minerals to the seed. 2) They die in order to leave growing space and return nutrients to the soil for the next generation. 3) The plants die so duff can insulate the seeds (with the dead leaves and stalks) against winter's cold. 4) It may be a timing issue to take advantage of a cultural opportunity to set seed early to gain a space advantage or to ride on autumn winds or the coats of migrating animals, etc You might think the physiology of death in annuals would be through simple aging; that is, accumulated mechanical injury or tissue damage causing increased sensitivity to environmental stress, bringing on death. But actually, simple nutrient withdrawal/translocation to seeds from the leaves eventually brings on starvation or some other nutrient deficiency, causing death. That is, the seeds take what nutrients they need by diffusion from the adjacent cells and this causes those cells to become an energy sink, where the nutrients pass from the leaves to the seeds. Hormonal or chemical messengers are released by the developing flower or seed, or the photoperiod influenced leaves themselves, which causes the plant to begin degrading itself and transporting the resulting nutrients out of its cells into the developing seed. In most cases, freezing temps are only the coup de grace, as the plant would have been already in the last stages of it's life cycle, ready to succumb, with or without the aid of Jack Frost." I hope this was also helpful - I don't know what more I can offer. Al

I grow herbs in containers and also in a regular garden. Started Rosemary from seed about 20 years ago with little trouble. The original plant is alive and happy, and through layering and cuttings, we have seven more Rosemary bushes. I grow Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Chives, and Mint in containers, all started from seed. I bought cuttings of Tarragon at the Farmers Market, and rooted some of it, and it comes back each year. It is Mexican Tarragon and it tastes fine plus has the most beautiful flowers late in the season. I enjoy starting plants from seeds and cuttings, and I'm retired so time is not a problem for me. One of the reasons I keep herbs in containers is the years of drought we have been through. They are easier to care for and easier to get to when I need them for cooking. Over the years, I have tried combining different herbs in large containers. It can work OK for a season, and you can get some pretty combinations, but I have found it works best to have them in their own container. You have to watch Thyme if you place it near another container. I found out it will jump over and root itself in any soil it can touch. I plant multiple containers of basil each year, starting it from seed. It is very easy to grow from seed, but in my opinion should always have its' own container. The root system will completely fill any container in one season.

drop Thanks Violet

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