What is a perennial?
In the simplest of terms, perennials are defined as plants that return in the garden 3 years or more from the same root base… at least they are supposed to come back! Their bloom cycles vary from early to late season, short and long lived, but they can adapt, grow, and naturalize in places where annuals cannot, and once established are less overall maintenance.
I got tired of planting trays of annuals every season, and found that although they have their place in the garden, perennials were more rewarding. Now I only plant a few annuals here and there, when my garden needs a spot of color filled in, or pot up annuals I can move around for a change in scenery (great way to bring the garden up onto your deck or add color to the patio). True, annuals provide us with 'instant gratification' but if you are an impatient gardner and need instant gratification, buy a bigger pot or several pots of that perennial!
Deadheading
Forget the old rule that perennials flower for just a few weeks each season. Many bloomers will brighten your beds and borders for months. With a little planning, the rest
of them can be planted or intermixed so that one flush of blooms will follow the other giving you a three season garden. During the growing season, be sure to remove spent flowers by deadheading⁄shearing. Deadheading will not only promote more blooms, but also increases stem strength to reduce staking, and will prevent insect and disease problems. Details of Deadheading
There are a vast and constantly increasing number of perennials available to gardeners. Every year new species are discovered and tamed for garden use, and new forms of old favorites are bred and developed. Even the greediest, most insatiable plant collector will long be satisfied by a diet of perennials. "Stop... I see a nursery!"
We've listed some of our favorites below for each condition as follows: Full Sun, Part–Shade, Shade, Long–Blooming Perennials, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant and more, plus a few Annual favorites that might fill a space in your garden.
The 'Comments' are strickly personal notes... alas 'nothing is carved in stone' and your experiences may be completely different depending on your soil type, location, a micro–climate in your yard, or weather conditions… so, "If at first you don't succeed, try to hide your astonishment" and don´t be afraid to try again!
Plants that enjoy Full Sun These are the ones that like to wave their foliage as well as their blooms at the sun all day, never the worse for wear, as long as you have prepared your garden beds, feed them once in a while and water them when they look thirsty!
Plants that like a little Shade A lot of plants need a little rest from the sun, especially in the heat of the day, and these will fair best if placed where they get a little afternoon relief, or will still bloom if they are in partial shade for part of the day.
Shade Loving Plants Some plants just like to hide in the shadows of your garden… and will brighten a woodland garden, or spots in your yard that just don't seem to get any direct sunlight.
Long Blooming Perennials These are plants that seem to 'just keep going' when most others have only a 3 to 5 week bloom span. They'll help fill the voids if you put them in strategic spots in your garden. Make a few notes in your journal when your plants are in bloom and for how long, than you'll know just where to place these.
Dwarf & Petite Varieties Limited space? Look for smaller varieties, everything from Astilbe to Weigela can be found in a smaller version of the full sized plants that may be too big for your garden.
We´ll be adding more categories here to help you in your search!
From Garden Gate Magazine, print out this pdf file for easy reference.
A little
how to information, learn how to deadhead different types of flowers to extend their blooming period.
Plant lists …
Some plants do go the extra mile in producing flowers or add other interest to the garden.
Limited space? Look for smaller varieties, everything from Astilbe to Weigela can be found in a smaller version of the full sized plants that may be too big for your garden.
Classifying light …
These plants love the Sun consistently all day long. (Also look for tags that say "bright" sun.)
Plants that prefer Sun or Shade for only about four to five hours a day. Look for tags that say "part" and "half" shade, "semi–shade", or "medium" shade.
Plants that will bloom on the shady side of the house, or brighten a woodland garden, tucked under a dense cover of trees or tall shrubs. No obvious sunlight, but these areas get light from skyshine or sunny spots nearby versus "Dense Shade" which receives no direct sunlight or sun reflection whatsoever… look for tags that say "heavy" shade.
Mail order resources:
If you can't find it, and you just gotta have it, try one of these mail order nurseries. Their stock can vary year to year so we've recommended a nursery for a particular plant only if they introduced it or have a patent on the plant.
Contact us Tell us about your favorite perennial
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Links of interest:
Article with pictures, written by Susan Morgan, of HGTV.com
This organization was established in 1893 with the objective of fostering interest in ferns and fern allies.
