Identify the ornamental biennial from the choices below

• A. Marigold
• B. Hollyhock
• C. Black eyes Susan
• D. Begonia

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is the two-year life cycle that defines a biennial. A true biennial spends its first year mainly growing and storing energy, then flowers in its second year before completing its life cycle. Holleyhock fits this pattern well: it is a classic ornamental biennial that grows lush foliage in the first year and produces tall spikes of large flowers in the second year.

The other plants don’t follow that two-year pattern. Marigolds are usually grown as annuals, completing their life cycle in one season. Black-eyed Susans are most commonly grown as annuals or short-lived perennials, not true biennials. Begonias are typically treated as annuals in cooler climates or grown as perennials in warm regions, but they do not characteristically bloom in a second year after a first-year only growth phase.