Annual: A plant that completes its life cycle in a year or less. Seed germinates, plant grows, blooms, sets seed, and dies all in one growing season.

Biennial: A plant that completes its life cycle in two years. Seeds are sowed in spring or plants are set out in summer/fall. Plant blooms the following spring, sets seed, and dies.

Deciduous: A plant that sheds its leaves, usually in the fall.

Herbaceous: A plant with soft tissues. Plants die down to the ground every year and regrow stems the following season.

Perennial: A non-woody plant that lives for more than two years.

Semi-evergreen: In mild winters the plant will keep its leaves; in cold winter or severe drought will lose its leaves.

Source: Sunset Western Garden Book