There are many different species of biennial plants varying in all aspects.
True biennial plants will only flower once. However, many people will treat some short-lived perennial as biennials. This is usually the case when they flower best in the second year, producing fewer blooms in subsequent years.
Below is a list of biennial or short-lived perennials perfect for growing around the garden.
Common evening primrose is well suited in wildflower gardens.
Blooming in summer, it produces stunning yellow bowl-shaped flowers.
Common evening primrose can grow to around 1.5m tall.
They will attract bees and other pollinators.
There is also a pink flowered variety of evening primrose called pinkladies.
Dianthus barbatus is commonly known as Sweet William.
Sweet William's grow to around 30 - 50cm in height.
They produce carnation-like flowers and range in colours, including white, red, pink, and purple. They can be single or double-coloured.
They're well suited towards the front of flower beds and borders.
Foxgloves are a well-known cottage favourite.
They range in colour, including purple, white, pink and yellow.
They're perfect towards the back of flower beds, adding height and colour. There also suited for wildflower gardens.
They'll attract bees and pollinators.
Most varieties will grow in sunny or shaded areas.
Read all about Foxgloves in our guide.
Hollyhocks are the quintessential cottage garden flower.
They range in many colours, including pink, white, red, yellow, orange, and dark purple (black).
Hollyhocks are tall plants. Some flower-producing stems can grow over 6ft tall.
They're perfect for growing towards the back of flowerbeds.
Read all about Hollyhocks in our guide.
Myosotis is commonly known as Forget-me-not.
Forget-me-nots produce masses of bright, blue flowers from mid-spring to early summer.
They are attractive to bees and other pollinators.
They're suited in various locations, such as borders, hanging baskets, and other containers.
Forget-me-nots readily self-seed.
Viper's bugloss makes a great addition to wildflower gardens.
It's thought its name comes from its upright spotted stem, which is said to resemble a viper.
It produces blue flowers flowering in summer.
It grows to a height of around 40 - 50cm.
Viper's bugloss is attractive to bees and pollinators.
