Unlike the shorter-lived annuals and biennials, perennials are plants with a life span of more than two years. With proper care and upkeep, these beauties can return year and year and provide lush additions and pops of color to any landscape. Below are three popular choices that will elevate your outdoor green spaces.

A Guide to Perennials

1. Angelina Stonecrop

Angelina stonecrop is short on stature and big on elegance. It rarely gets over six inches tall, but it grows fast and spreads quickly, creating a plush green mat that covers the ground. The foliage of Angelina stonecrop looks like soft needles, which can range in color from light green to deep gold. It blossoms in early to mid-summer with yellow flowers on tall stalks.

2. Provence French Lavender

Provence French lavender is a shrub that produces signature purple flowers along the uppermost portions of each stalk. While the color of lavender is unmistakable and stunning, so too is its scent. Plant some and you’ll be treated to a resonant, flowery perfume that fills the air surrounding the shrub. Many perennials are pretty to look at, but lavender is a feast for the eyes and nose. Excellent drainage is needed for lavender to thrive.

3. Hen & Chicks

Also known as sempervivum or silverine, “hen and chicks” plants get their name from the telltale groupings they form. A full cluster of leaves will take shape and sprout small, richly pink flowers during the summer. As the plant grows, new "chicks" will pop up around the main "hen" plant. These miniature versions of the central cluster will grow in a circle around the mother. The leaves of hen and chicks are a combination of silver, red, and green, giving an overall purplish appearance that is eye-catching and well-suited to almost any landscape design.

You can purchase these beautiful perennials and more at Edgefield Plant & Stone Center. The Guilford County, NC, garden center carries a full line of plants and shrubbery to bring your outdoor spaces to vibrant life. They also offer landscape design and stonework services. Call (336) 662-0081 or visit them online to check their latest inventory of perennials.