Perennial vegetables are an excellent investment for home gardeners. Unlike annual vegetables, which must be planted year after year, a perennial vegetable will live and produce vegetables for years, often with only minimal effort needed by the gardener after they are planted. Many gardeners only know of one or two perennial vegetable varieties, but there are well over a hundred different perennial vegetables that home gardeners can grow. Here is a list of five excellent perennial vegetables that ever gardener should try to grow:

Asparagus

Likely one of the most well known perennial vegetables, once an asparagus patch is established it will produce delicious spears for decades to come. It generally takes two to three years to get a patch well established, and there are many varieties to choose from, including purple asparagus which is rarely seen in supermarkets.

Rhubarb

After asparagus, rhubarb is probably the second most commonly grown perennial vegetable in the United States and Canada. It is best suited to northern regions, as most varieties need winter temperatures below 40 degrees (F) to produce stalks the following year. Although a perennial vegetable, rhubarb is often treated more like a fruit and is delicious in pies, jams, cobblers and more.

Jerusalem Artichokes

Also known as "Sunchokes" these sunflower type plants produce delicious, nutty tubers that have a flavor that some say is similar to artichokes. Jerusalem artichokes are delicious baked, steamed and mashed, and can also be eaten sliced raw in salads. The plants are very prolific, however, and can be difficult to get rid of once they are established in an area.

Artichokes

These are the true artichokes, and yes, they are a perennial vegetable as well. Artichokes are best suited to regions that are zone seven or higher, although some gardeners go to great lengths to get them to grow in areas as cold as zone five. If you have ever tasted an artichoke heart, you will know why these plants are a treasure to grow.

Sorrel

Probably the easiest perennial vegetable to grow on this list, sorrel is a perennial green that is wonderful in salads and can also be used to make soup and sauces. It is best when eaten when still very young as the leaves can get bitter when older. Once established in your garden, it will be one of the first crops you harvest each spring.

If you are not currently growing any perennial vegetables in your home garden, you should certainly consider trying one (or several) of the delicious varieties above. With proper planning and maintenance, these perennial vegetables will produce reliably for years to come.

Michelle Day is an avid gardener currently living in the Pacific Northwest. You can read more about perennial vegetables, including some very unique perennial vegetable varieties, on her blog dedicated to perennial vegetables.

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