Below you will find a list of common questions we routinely get asked.  We are always glad to share information with you.  If you don't find an answer here, give us a call, we'll be happy to assist you with any question that you may have. What is the difference between a perennial and an annual?   A perennial plant or perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years.  An annual plant is a plant that usually germinates, flowers and dies in one year.  Annuals are often used in gardens to provide splashes of color, as they tend to produce more flowers than perennials. Some perennials and biennials are grown in gardens as annuals for convenience, particularly if they are not considered hardy for the local climate. Also, many food plants are, or are grown as, annuals, including most domesticated grains.   What is a biennial plant?   A Biennial plant is a plant that takes between twelve and twenty-four months to complete its lifecycle. In the first year the plant grows leaves and stems (vegetative structures) and then it enters a period of dormancy over the colder months. The next spring/summer it produces fruit, flowers and seeds, and then dies.   What is the difference between an Azalea and a Rhododendron?    An Azalea is defined as any of various shrubs of the genus Rhododendron having showy, variously colored flowers.  One of the major differences between azaleas and the rest of the rhododendron family is their size. Another is their flower growth. Rhododendrons grow their flowers in clusters, while most azaleas have terminal blooms (one flower per flower stem). However, they have so many stems that during the flowering season they are a solid mass of color. The exception to this rule is a small group of azaleas which grow their flowers in tight terminal clusters that look like little balls of color.   What is the difference between a tree and a shrub?   Trees are woody, perennial plants that have one central stem, are generally more than 12 feet in height, and normally have a distinct head. Shrubs are woody, perennial plants that have a number of stems usually produced from near the soil line of the plant. Shrubs are generally less than 12 feet in height but some can reach 20 feet or more.