Well you need to know if a particular plant is a perennial (grows every year), biennial (grows leaves in first year, flowers in second year and then dies), or an annual. For info on a specific plant try a google search.

Do you mean when you read labels in the Garden Centre. Trees and shrubs are plants that live all year round and some are deciduous (shed their leaves in winter). Herbaceous Perennials are the border plants which reappear after a winter rest. Annuals and Biennials are usually grown from seed and flower the year they are planted or in their second year, then they die. That is a very simplistic answer and if you want to know about specific plants do join and GOY members will be pleased to help you.