Perennials are plants which live more than two years. The term is usually applied to plants other than trees and large shrubs. Many perennials are herbaceous in habit. This means that the tops die back to the ground but the roots send up new branches and flower stems in the spring. For example, the large flowering mallows are herbaceous. Other perennials may be herbaceous in severe winters but evergreen during mild season. Example: Chinese hibiscus, plumbago. It is important to realize that a plant that is herbaceous in the north is not necessarily so in this section of the country.

Many perennials are easily raised from seed with care and patience. Their seed does not germinate as quickly as the annual plants and the seedlings may take several years to attain blooming size. For this reason it is sometimes more sensible to buy blooming size plants rather than wait that length of time. On the other hand, perennials from seed are inexpensive and replacements may be available when needed.

Perennial seed should be started in seed flats or small pots and the best time to do this is in the early fall. October, when rains are due is the best time to begin. Loose soil, full of humus, is best
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Perennials that may be grown from seed and will do well in this area include:

All the amaryllidaceae, from alliums to zephyranthes
*Anchusa
Antigonon (Queen's Crown)
Asclepias (Butterfly Weed)
Baptisia
Cassia
Chrysanthemum
Clitoria (Blue Butterfly Pea)
*Columbine
Coreopsis
Datura
Dahlia
Dianthus
Dutchman's Pipe Vine
Eryngium (Sea Holly)
Erythrina (Coral tree, Fireman's Helmet)
Gilia
Glaucium (Horned Poppy)
**Hibiscus
Hollyhocks
**Impatiens (Sultans)-Take indoors for winter.
*Myosotis (English Forget-Me-Not)
**Passion Vine
*Penstemon
Salvia
Silene
Talinum
Thunbergia vines

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*Indicates perennials for light shade.
*Indicates plants that should be started in April instead of October.