Are Tulips Perennials?
Tulips are perennials. They are spring flowering bulbs that will return year after year if properly maintained.
What Is a Perennial?
Technically a perennial is any live plant that lives for three or more years.
A perennial does not necessarily have to be visible above ground to remain alive. It is considered a perennial as long as it returns the following season.
Types of Perennials
Perennials can be either herbaceous or woody. The stems and greenery of an herbaceous perennial die to the ground each season living underground as a bulb, rhizome, root, corm, or tuber. A woody perennial is still visible as plants that stop growing during winter.
Tulips are both flowering bulbs and herbaceous perennials.
Gardening Timeline
Annual: Lasting for one year. The life cycle of an annual germinates, blossoms, seeds, and dies in a single growing season. Most vegetables are common annuals, as well as many garden flowers.
Biennial: Lasting for two years. The life cycle of a biennial lasts for two years, the first year producing food storage parts to be used the second year when it flowers, fruits, and dies. Carrots and parsnips are examples of biennial plants.
Perennial: Lasting for three or more years. The lifecycle of a perennial concludes each season but continues to survive to blossom again the next season. Grasses and many bulb flowers are examples of perennials.
Resources
Dana, Michael N., and B. Rosie Lerner. “Growing Perennial Flowers.” Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. Purdue University, n.d. Web. 22 May 2011. <www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/ho-061.pdf>.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. Print.
