![]() The perennial plants in India dominate many natural ecosystems on land and in fresh water, with only a very few (e.g. Zostera) occurring in shallow seawater. They are particularly dominant in conditions too fire-prone for trees and shrubs, e.g., most plants on prairies and steppes are perennials; they are also dominant on tundra too cold for tree growth. In forests, perennial plants are of secondary importance to trees and shrubs, but are often still abundant on the forest floor. Perennial plants are usually better competitors than annual plants, especially if grown under stable and resource-poor conditions.This is due to the development of larger root systems, which can access water and soil nutrients deeper in the soil and to earlier emergence in the spring. Perennial plants can be purchased in India in a number of ways. The most common way is plants in quart, one or two gallon containers. These plants are already growing and afford the gardener the elasticity to select and plant through the growing season. Another way is bare-root or packaged plants. These are obtained through mail order or at garden centers and are sold as inactive material. These plants are available for spring planting only. Bleeding Heart, Water Lily, Gerberas, Geraniums and Anthuriums are some of the best examples of perennial plants in India. |