Listing perennials-that-aren't

[Janet Macunovich 32]

I'm posting this list here for your consideration and addition. It's in relation to an article over in our What's Up news section about plants labeled perennial that can only live up to that name in zone 9 or 10.

Perennial - NOT!

Here are the tender perennials about which we most often hear, "Aw, you mean it won't come back?"
Marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum)
Everblooming hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis varieties)
Blue salvia/mealycup sage (S. farinacea)
Canna
Yellow & red milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)
Lantana/ham & eggs (Lantana camara hybrids)
Red fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum)
Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana)

We think more people should know about these, and be spared the heartbreak the next spring when the miracle plant they felt they were promised, doesn't grow back.

 

If you've been fooled by others, or seen friends, fooled, post it here. We'll compile the input and update that article's list.

[Margaret Thele 16]

Many of my customers tell me delphiniums should be on this list... I have had them come back for several years but they are short lived. So often people buy plants in full bloom, not knowing that the plant has sort of spent itself out and may not root in well. Here's a big vote for those people who buy their perennials in the green and vegetative state.

[Dsmith74 16]

As mentioned in another thread, some of those potted chrysanthemums (or Dendranthema or whatever) they sell in the fall can be trouble.

 

Fingers crossed that Paeonia ostii (on which I spent too entirely too much money) doesn't make the list. 

[greenlady0 0]

gaura can be tempermental in our climate it is prone to heaving and long soppy springs are a death sentence to this dry heat loving plant.The usual annuals such as snapdragons,inpatiens, ageratum,flowering kale/cabbage,alyssum as well as violas and pansys have been known to reseed and return especially if the same annual border has been planted for many years there have been times when a new planting was not necessary but still not dependable enough to call these lovely summer annuals to zones 7and beow perennial.