What are Perennials?

        A perennial is any plant that lives for three or more years. Many live much longer than that.  Perennial garden plants don’t have woody stems like bushes and trees and typically die down to the ground during winter.  Their roots are still alive though and in the spring they send up new growth.

         Perennials are the backbone of any garden design because they return year after year to your garden and once established require very little attention from you.

         Although perennials come back every year, they generally do not blossom for an entire season.  Instead they bloom for two to three weeks at a specific time of year.  Their foliage though lasts until frost and often creates interesting depth and color to your garden.

         Now you have a basic understanding of perennials, but of course there are exceptions to these rules.  Newer hybrids can sometimes bloom longer and some plants will have a second bloom if you deadhead the blossoms as soon as they fade.  (Deadheading 

means to cut off flower heads that have finished blooming.) 

   The next step in creating a perennial garden is to understand 

  how much sun does your garden gets.  Perennials don’t all require the same conditions.  Some thrive in shade, while others require several hours of sunshine a day.  Choose plants by the amount of sunshine your garden receives.

         Water requirements also differ and if you don’t want to be watering everyday pay attention to the water requirements for your new plants.        

         If you are trying to develop a perennial garden that is in bloom all summer it is a good idea to make frequent trips to your local nursery.  Look for things that are currently blooming and gradually add new plants to your garden. (It will take a few years for a new perennial garden to reach maturity and fill up your garden.  In the meantime fill in bare spots with colorful annuals.)

        When you buy new plants try to go to a reputable nursery and ask questions.  Usually, the gardeners are quite knowledgeable and more than happy to share their success tips with you. Usually, a plant’s requirements are listed on their tags,  but sometimes I find the information too general or incomplete so again if in doubt-ask! 

 Another way to increase plants in your garden is to let neighbors and friends that you are starting a garden.  Most likely you'll find people who want to share their bounty.   This is because some perennials need to be dug up and divided every few years. This keeps them blooming well and and in turn creates more plants for your garden or to trade with another gardener.

Once you have some plants, pay attention to their growing habits.  Some tend to get aggressive and want to take over your garden.  Don’t hesitate to hack them back to make them behave.  Others like peonies might stay in one place indefinitely and can be relied on for years and years.  Still others might not thrive in your garden and unless you truly love it you might want to replace it with one that likes your garden better.

         Perennials are cold hardy to different degrees.  Study a zone map to see where you’re at and don’t buy something that dies at 10 degrees if your winters typically get much colder.  Buying plants that are locally grown will help you to obtain plants that will thrive in your garden.

         There are many, many perennials and if you don’t know where to start or what you like, take your time.  Winter is perfect time to go to the library or a bookstore and invest in a good perennial encyclopedia.  Or you could send away for some plant catalogs. Nothing is more relaxing than studying the luscious pictures in the seed catalogs on a cold snowy afternoon. Start a list of your favorites and learn their blooming times and habits. By spring you’ll be well armed with new knowledge and eager to start digging.