What is a Short Lived Perennial? A Detailed Guide for Gardeners

Perennials are plants that live for more than two years Some perennials like peonies can thrive in your garden for over 100 years However, not all perennials have the same long lifespan. There is a category called “short lived perennials” that only stick around for 3-5 years typically.

As a gardener, understanding what short lived perennials are and how to care for them properly can help you make the most of these beautiful plants In this guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about short lived perennials.

What is the Definition of a Short Lived Perennial?

The basic definition of a short lived perennial is a plant that lives for more than 2 years but less than 10 years. Most experts define short lived perennials as ones that live for 3-5 years.

After 3-5 years, a short lived perennial will start to decline in vigor and produce fewer, smaller flowers. The blooms and foliage may look ragged. Eventually the plant dies out completely.

This is different from an annual which completes its entire lifecycle in one year. It’s also different from a true perennial that can survive for decades with proper care.

Why Grow Short Lived Perennials?

If short lived perennials die after just a few years, why bother growing them at all? Here are some excellent reasons to include these plants in your garden:

• Abundant blooms – Many short lived perennials put on an amazing display of flowers in their first couple seasons. They offer more instant gratification compared to long lived perennials.

• Self-sowing – Some short lived perennials will self-seed new plants before they die out. This gives you free replacement plants.

• Easy propagation – Short lived perennials like delphiniums are easy to propagate from cuttings, division or collecting seeds. Replacing them is not difficult.

• Less maintenance – True perennials require frequent pruning, dividing, etc. to stay healthy for decades. Short lived perennials tend to be lower maintenance.

• Good for pots – Container gardening suits short lived perennials well since the pots need refreshers every few years anyway.

So with proper planning, short lived perennials can absolutely earn their place in your beds, borders or containers. Take advantage of their merits while making sure to propagate the next generation on schedule.

10 Examples of Popular Short Lived Perennials

Now that you understand the concept of short lived perennials, let’s look at some popular examples you might find in gardens:

1. Lupine

This stately spiked flower thrives for about 5 years before declining. Luckily lupine produces abundant seeds and also grows well from cuttings.

2. Delphinium

Delphiniums put on a stunning display of flowers in their first few seasons but fade by year five. Cutting back spent blooms encourages reblooming.

3. Coral Bells

After 3-4 years, coral bells start to look leggy and flower less. Divide congested clumps in fall to rejuvenate them.

4. Columbine

This spring flower seeds itself readily and comes back for about 5 years. Divide large clumps every 2-3 years for best flowering.

5. Peonies

Herbaceous peonies have incredible longevity but tree peonies are short lived and only last 5-10 years typically.

6. Bee Balm

Bee balm spreads aggressively, becoming overcrowded and flowering less after 3-4 years. Divide in fall to control spread and rejuvenate.

7. Garden Phlox

Garden phlox is susceptible to powdery mildew after a few years but grows well from cuttings to start new plants.

8. Lavender

English lavenders last just 5-10 years or so before needing replacement. French lavenders are longer lived.

9. Russian Sage

With proper pruning, Russian sage can flower nicely for 5-8 years but ultimately needs dividing or replacing.

10. Lady’s Mantle

The ruffled leaves of lady’s mantle look best the first 2-3 years. After that, divide congested clumps in fall to keep plants young.

This list just scratches the surface of popular short lived perennials to consider. Others include yarrow, maiden grass, sea holly, garden sage, amsonia, lamb’s ear, artemesia, geranium, gas plant, gayfeather and more.

How to Get the Most Life from Short Lived Perennials

Since short lived perennials don’t stick around forever, you need strategies to replenish them and keep the flower power going. Here are some tips:

• Let plants self-sow – Allow seed heads to develop and drop seeds to get volunteer seedlings. These will replace the parent plant.

• Divide plants – Congested clumps can be divided and replanted every 3-4 years. Discard the old woody centers.

• Take cuttings – Cuttings from healthy young shoots will root easily and make new plants.

• Start new plants from seed – Collect seeds or buy new seed packs so you always have fresh young plants coming along.

• Give ideal care – Make sure plants get the light, soil, moisture and nutrients they need to thrive as long as possible.

• Replace old plants promptly – Don’t wait for decline to be severe. Be proactive about refreshing short lived perennials.

Follow these guidelines and you’ll get the most enjoyment possible from short lived perennials before needing to replace them.

The Takeaway on Short Lived Perennials

While short lived perennials don’t have the staying power of super long lived plants like peonies, they earn their place in gardens by providing bountiful blooms for 3-5 years.

Knowing which perennials fall into this short lived category can help you avoid disappointment. And taking simple steps to propagate and replenish short lived perennials will ensure you get to enjoy their charms for many years.