Where Do Perennial Plants Store Their Food?

Roots

• Perennial plants tend to have thick, fleshy roots designed to store nutrients for several months. The roots continue to feed the plants a small amount while the plants are dormant in winter. In addition to sustaining perennials through the cold season, the nutrients stored in the roots give the plants the boost they need to start growing again in spring and survive when cut back severely in warm weather.

Bulbs

• Some perennials don't use their roots for nutrient storage. Instead, they have bulbs that keep them alive during dormancy. These bulbs often develop buds during the growing season, and the buds are attached to the bulbs. The buds grow through fall, building up a nutrient storehouse. A plant's first bulb dies when the plant dies. In spring, however, the fully grown buds, which have become bulbs, sprout new plants identical to the original plant. Each bulb uses stored energy to stay alive all winter and to produce healthy foliage and flowers in spring.

Root Health

• Perennial plants' roots need some basic care during cold months to give them the best chance of reserving enough energy to grow in spring. In areas where the ground freezes, cover the ground with mulch after the first freeze to help insulate the roots. Freezing temperatures aren't dangerous for many perennials, but changes in temperature during late fall and early spring that cause the ground to freeze, thaw and freeze again can kill the roots. In areas that don't freeze, the roots need a bit of water about once each month to stay moist and healthy.

Annuals

• Annuals often have shallow, narrow roots, although some kinds have deeper root systems than other kinds. These roots are designed for one main purpose: to provide energy for the plants to grow and prosper vigorously. Flowering and seeding take a large amount of energy, and the plants often have no nutrient reserves left after one seasonal life cycle. When the weather cools and perennials fade into dormancy, annuals simply die, but their fallen seeds can germinate when warmer weather returns.