| Perennials are the backbone of many flower gardens. | | | | their perennials with splashes of color from annuals. |
| They are the plants that return year after year. To | | | | It is a challenge to create a perennial garden that can |
| many it's like seeing old friends reappear, surviving the | | | | be enjoyed throughout the summer. It must be planned |
| winter's freezing cold and gracing the garden again | | | | carefully taking note of plant heights for optimal |
| with their familiar flowers and scents. | | | | placement and plant blooming times for continuous |
| It would seem that perennials would be the easy | | | | blooming flowers. But, it's very satisfying to have a |
| answer for a flower garden - just plant once and for | | | | flowerbed full of lovely perennials. They are a |
| years the garden is complete. The gardener can just | | | | background to build upon. They change throughout the |
| sit back and enjoy. This is far from the truth however. | | | | season bringing a new look every month or so to |
| Perennials take a little research and planning to be | | | | appreciate and enjoy. |
| used for full effect. Some bloom very early as Lilies of | | | | Besides planning and careful plant choices, regular light |
| the Valley and Bleeding Hearts. By the time the early | | | | maintenance will help your perennials stay healthy. |
| summer flowers of Salvia and Coneflowers emerge | | | | Dividing, pruning, staking and fertilizing - some or all of |
| the late spring varieties have all but finished for the | | | | these tasks may be necessary. A little care goes a |
| year. Other varieties like Brown Eyed Susans don't | | | | long way with these garden stars. |
| appear at all until late summer. Perennials for the most | | | | There are many good sites on the Internet to research |
| part don't bloom for the whole season. Using these | | | | perennials and mail order sources for plants and seeds |
| plants, your gardens will be continually changing | | | | are abundant. Get some catalogs this winter and |
| throughout the summer. That is why good planning is | | | | spend some great time investigating these plants. Local |
| essential. If only early blooming plants are set that | | | | nurseries are also beginning to carry more and more |
| flowerbed will be flowerless by mid summer. Many | | | | perennial plants as their popularity grows. Try some in |
| gardeners try to plant a mixture so they have color | | | | your garden and enjoy welcoming back your old |
| throughout the growing season. Others supplement | | | | friends each summer for years to come. |