Biennials are another group of plants that are common in the home landscape. Many gardeners are familiar with hollyhocks, Canterbury bells, most foxgloves, snow-in-summers, and money plants. Biennials produce only foliage and roots the first year. The roots survive the first winter. During the second growing season, the biennial blooms, produces seeds, and then dies. Biennials may reseed and appear to be perennial.

Gardeners usually purchase biennials from nurseries, rather than grow them from seed. This avoids wasted space taken by biennials during their first, nonflowering year of growth. Biennials require the same basic type of care as annuals and perennials.