Spell correction: "But, their"... etc...

The purpose is not for you're flowerbox, but for you're breadbox.  Imagine the fuel savings if wheat, soybeans, and barley were Perennial.  Its shameful that the writer of the article overlooked this monumental detail.  This article is nearly an veiled attack against scientists working to bring another Green revolution.  

Has noone heard of Norman Ernest Borlaug?  You've eaten semi-dwarf, high-yield, disease-resistant wheat, trust me.

What is the impact of these human-induced mutations?  Will the new variants - possibly new species - escape into wildlands and intergrade with native plant species?  Genetic experimentation is a natural path for scientists.  But, they're findings must be contained and controlled.  Loss of biodiversity can lead, inexorably, to monocultures that may be vulnerable to disease that may extirpate entire species in the absence of naturally occurring variations that might resist a widespread infection.

PS

Works especially well with zinnas, marigolds, Mexican and other sunflowers, basil, hummingbird sage, nasturtiums and many more!

How To Turn An Annual Into A (free) Perennial:

1) Save the seeds/flowerheads.

2) Broadcast or direct sow in the spring (early spring if possible).

3) Voila! Watch them grow.

Abraham1: There are smaller companies which might carry such things; there's also the fact that many consumers don't want to deal with the hassle of overwintering perennials. Some do enjoy the convenience of easily-disposable plants, especially if they want to change their planting schemes often.

Alas Sharon, I fear that it will be a long time before this discovery is made available to the public.  The almighty dollar will prevail.  Why would a grower sell you a perennial when he can keep you coming back year after year for those seeds?  Ain't capitalism great?