Annual: A plant that lives and dies in the course of one year. Annuals need to be replaced every year
Biennial: A plant that lives for two years and then dies.
Perennial: A plant that returns every year. Perennials generally die all the way back to the ground and regenerate from the roots.
Deciduous: Loses its leaves for a portion of the year (generally in winter)
Evergreen: Retaining its leaves through all seasons. Does not lose it’s leaves.
Groundcover: A plant that grows close to the ground and spreads. Can be deciduous or evergreen
Vine: A plant which twines and grips onto nearby structures and sprawls in its growth. Can be deciduous or evergreen
Shrub: A woody plant that grows from 15″ up to 6 or 8′ tall. The plant remains above the ground even when the leaves fall off as in the case of a deciduous shrub. Can be deciduous or evergreen
Tree: A woody plant that grows from 6′ up to 40 or more feet tall. The plant remains above the ground even when the leaves fall off as in the case of a deciduous tree. Can be deciduous or evergreen.