What is a common characteristic of hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are characterized by their ability to survive over multiple growing seasons, returning each year. This resilience allows them to thrive in various climates, including those with harsh winters. These plants typically go dormant in the colder months, and when warmer weather returns, they regrow from their root systems. This trait makes them a popular choice in gardens since they provide seasonal blooms and foliage without needing to be replanted annually.

In contrast, options suggesting that hardy perennials require heavy fertilization, cannot survive winter, or only bloom for one season, do not accurately reflect the attributes associated with these resilient plants. Fertilization needs can vary, but many hardy perennials thrive in less-than-ideal soil conditions; winter survival is a defining feature; and most produce blooms over several seasons rather than just one.