Which of the following is a characteristic of perennial plants?

Perennial plants are distinguished by their ability to live for multiple years, which is a key characteristic that sets them apart from annual plants, which complete their life cycle in one growing season, and biennial plants, which live for two seasons. Perennials typically go through cycles of growth and dormancy, emerging from the ground each spring and dying back to their roots in the colder months but returning again in subsequent years. This longevity makes them valuable for creating stable landscapes, providing continuous blooms and foliage over time without the need for replanting each season or year.

In considering the other choices, annual plants, not perennials, are characterized by dying after one season and requiring replanting each spring. Furthermore, the blooming habits of perennials can vary widely; while some bloom in summer, others may bloom in spring, fall, or at various times throughout the year, making the statement about their blooming period too restrictive. Thus, the defining feature of perennials is indeed their ability to thrive over multiple years.