Plants that are often called "perennials" are, in fact, usually actually herbaceous perennials. Perennial because their life cycle takes more than two years to complete and herbaceous because they do not form woody stems.

Of course, as with much of horticulture, there are always some exceptions and terminology twists. Some of the plants commonly used in perennial beds such as lavender or candytuft which form "semi-woody" stems that are capable of surviving the winter. Bulbs are also perennials although they are usually kept in a category of their own.

Our index of commonly grown herbaceous perennials contains many of those used in the home landscape in the temperate regions of North America.