Classification of Ornamental Plants

Ornamental plants may also be classified based on stem type, growth cycle, leaf form, use, and other characteristics.

Herbaceous Ornamental Plants

Herbaceous plants are non-woody. Many horticultural plants, especially those grown indoors, are non-woody. They have a wide variety of uses in landscapes as well. They may be classified in various ways.

Growth Cycle

1. Annuals: Annual ornamentals are planted each season. Flowering annuals are prominent in the landscape in favorable seasons, providing most of the color. Versatile landscape plants can be used to fill in gaps, provide color in bulb beds after the bulbs have bloomed, and create colorful flower beds, hanging baskets (flowers grown in containers and hung), and cut flowers (flowers grown and cut for use). Examples include petunia (Petunia spp.), zinnia (Zinnia elegans), and marigold (Tagetes spp.).
2. Biennials: Biennial ornamentals are vegetative in their first year of growth and bloom in the next season. Examples are foxglove (Digitalis spp.) and hollyhock.
3. Perennials: Since perennials live for a long time in the landscape, locating them requires a great deal of thought and planning. Perennials may be flowering or non-flowering.
   

Flowering
Flowering perennials may be planted in flower beds in the fall season to provide early blooms, after which annuals may be planted. Examples are geranium (Geranium spp.), lily (Lilium spp.), and tulip (Tulipa spp.).

Foliage
Foliage, or non-flowering, perennials are popular for indoor use in houses and offices as potted plants. Examples are coleus (Coleus blumei), sansevieria (Sansevieria spp.), and dumbcane(Dieffenbachia).