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Annuals, Biennials, and Short Lived Perennials

9 years ago

I am interested in compiling a list of the above, mainly for zone 7, and would love input from members of this forum.This would be especially helpful to those of us who collect and grow from seed, as we would be mindful of the species that will die out after a while, and collecting seeds becomes more important.

Here is what I have so far in the short lived category:

Columbine
Lobelia
Penstemon
Asclepias incarnata
Campanula rotundifolia
Kosteletzkya virginica
Some Rudbeckias, such as R. hirta
Some asters, such as S. shortii and S. lateriflorum

Biennials:

Phacelia bipinnatifida
Synandra hispidula

Annuals:
Salvia coccinea

Please help add to this list!

Featured Answer

docmom_gw

8 years ago

Neither of the Monardas I mentioned spread by roots like the perennial varieties such as M. fistulosa. I've not had either reseed for me, but climate could certainly make a difference there.

Martha

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Comments (12)

lycopus
9 years ago
For annuals there are Impatiens pallida, I. capensis and Chamaecrista fasciculata. I'm also trying two biennials for the first time this year, Castilleja coccinea and Cirsium pumilum. Don't know if all Lobelias are necessarily short-lived perennials. Lobelia cardinalis and L. spicata are but I don't usually see the same said of L. siphilitica. Also, L. inflata is an annual.
Lynda Waldrep
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks, Lycopus, for your quick response. I totally forgot about the Impatiens as they are not planted on my property...just there. Same for the pea one. I am not sure I will put the thistle on the list, as most people do not want that in a garden, and I am not good enough to key out the native thistles from the non-native ones. (Leave them on my property, but I would not recommend to others.)

The Lobelias have mixed reviews from my research, but I also had forgotten about the annual one, and I do have it scattered about in my area.

Again, I appreciate your input, especially on the Impatiens. They are lovely and could easily be included in a garden. (Try to hook people on natives via the garden route, but I don't garden, just like plants.)
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carlaclaws
9 years ago
Impatiens capensis is also able to outcompete Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum). Not a bad attribute, that!
Lynda Waldrep thanked carlaclaws
barbarag_happy
8 years ago
I'd include coreopsis and gaillardia pulchella.
Lynda Waldrep thanked barbarag_happy
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
8 years ago
I am a Zone 8 girl , so take my list with a caveat.

Biennial. Ipomopsis rubra,

annual: sneezeweed, thelasperma, cowpen daisy
Lynda Waldrep thanked wantonamara Z8 CenTex
docmom_gw
8 years ago
Monarda citriodora is an annual for me, and M. punctata can be perennial. Digitalis, also.
Lynda Waldrep thanked docmom_gw
Lynda Waldrep
Original Author
8 years ago
Don't know that Monarda, but I imagine your cold zone makes some differences. Here most Monardas are considered thugs as they reproduce too well. I appreciate having more plants to consider for my "list."
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
8 years ago
I have never considered a monarda a thug. But then I have normally a shortage of water and that controls a lot.
Lynda Waldrep thanked wantonamara Z8 CenTex
TxMarti
8 years ago
Are you looking for all zone 7 or just those that grow in NC? Annuals that grow throughout my area and into zone 7 are huisache daisy (Amblyolepis setigera), partridge pea (Cassia fasciculata), Indian paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa), clasping leaf coneflower (Dracopis amplexicaulis), lupines,
Lynda Waldrep thanked TxMarti
Lynda Waldrep
Original Author
8 years ago
Doesn't have to be NC, but I was thinking of doing a program on what may grow here. No luck with lupines here in the Piedmont, but I have seen wild stands in the mts. Just saw some Castilleja up there last week. Used to be a huge stand, but people mow alongside the road now. Sigh.
barbarag_happy
8 years ago
NC rescue, don't you think that Castilleja may have naturalized along the roadside because the gravel lowers the pH? Many western wildflowers prefer a neutral to alkaline soil. You're in the Piedmont, right-- mostly acid soil?
My friend at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk is growing vernonia (ironweed) and Queen Anne's lace. Both will definitely overwinter in z7, even 6.
When I lived in southern Ohio the ditch lilies (orange daylilies), chicory, and butterfly weed bloomed together and were followed by vernonia and goldenrod. The county was always wanting to spray or mow our hedgerows but most of us put up signs along our back roads. There never was much development down in our area, most people were deterred by sooo many miles of gravel road to get to the highway!

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