Perennial plants and flowers stay around for more than just one gardening season. Some of them bloom again for only about 3 years, while others will continue to bloom for many years to come.
Now sometimes the first year you plant a perennial, you won't be overly impressed. You see, that first year the plants need to get used to the new environment. Some of them will produce blooms that first year, but some of them won't do a thing until at least the second year. And that's when you start seeing progress too. The perennial plants and flowers start really filling out and taking hold in the second year. And by the third year, they're so well established you'll look like a gardening pro.
When planting perennials - as with any plant, flower, shrub, bush or tree - you need to choose a location for the plant based on soil quality, water availability, and sunlight. Once you have the location chosen, plant your perennials with plenty of room for them to grow over the years. If you put them too closely together in the beginning, you'll find yourself moving them frequently as time goes by.
Planting them with room to grow will make your perennial garden look sparse though, so you may be unhappy with it after you're done. One way to help fill in the bare spots, and add some quick color, would be to scatter annuals in between.
Annual plants and flowers tend to grow and bloom for just one gardening season. They grow quickly though, and some of them flower for months on end. This makes them very popular with many gardeners.
Since annuals don't usually come back on their own in the next season, you won't have to worry about crowding out your budding perennial plants. So that first year when they look straggly and sparse, mix in some annuals to liven things up. Then when the second year comes along, if you still have a few bare spots: plant a few more annuals. You'll probably need less this second year of course, because the perennials have started to flourish. By the third year, the perennials should be doing quite well on their own... so you won't even have room to plant annuals in your perennial garden bed!
Popular perennial plants and flowers include: Calla Lilies, Coral Bells, Hibiscus, and Hosta.
© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard, The Garden Source Network - A premier online publication featuring gardening articles, tips, advice, resources, shopping and supplies.
This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.
Garden thyme, fresh or dried, alone or combined with parsley... Read More
Orchids are beautiful flowers. The interesting thing about orchids is... Read More
The first thing you need to do when deciding to... Read More
Indoors or out, you'll find miniature roses very easy to... Read More
Whether you have a preformed or a liner pond, a... Read More
Like any job you tackle, it's always easier if you... Read More
The word for 'paradise' comes from the Persian word for... Read More
Iris flowers always bring memories of mom to mind. Let... Read More
Many people have asked us over the years "Should I... Read More
Know if your plants are disease-susceptible. Your choice of plants... Read More
The important question of whether or not to add salt... Read More
The flittering of the butterfly through your garden is no... Read More
I would like to know...WHO STOLE SUMMER???What did you do... Read More
While shopping on line the other day at www.stoveramishfurniture.com, I... Read More
When most people hear the words, "park bench", they envision... Read More
Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used for centuries for both... Read More
Cattleya Care: a bit more in-depth.This month we are going... Read More
You may already have a garage or shed in your... Read More
Building a waterfall is easier than you think and will... Read More
Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid HealthOver the past... Read More
Although it is a member of the Thymelaeaceae, the family... Read More
My first introductions to Hostas were four small green and... Read More
The metabolism of koi and goldfish is controlled primarily by... Read More
Installing a backyard fish pond is an aesthetic addition to... Read More
There is no mention to be found of female leprechauns... Read More
In addition to the traditional strawberry patch, there are as... Read More
These days, it's easy to get lost in the wealth... Read More
There's been a huge increase in the popularity of garden... Read More
The ancient herb, Anethum graveolens or Fernleaf dill as it... Read More
Now that Spring is upon us and things are coming... Read More
California has earthquakes; we in the south and east coast... Read More
Without a doubt, hummingbirds are beautiful and interesting creatures.Those living... Read More
Anyone with a lawn, no matter how small will at... Read More
THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.The Success or Failure of Your Plants... Read More
One of the most rewarding and entertaining things about having... Read More
When the days start to get shorter, the darkness may... Read More
Naturalized bulbs look beautiful in a wooded setting. You can... Read More
Organic gardeners all know compost is fantastic stuff. But now,... Read More
Pruning your roses does not need to be a dreaded... Read More
Slapping yourself silly trying to keep mosquitoes from biting you?... Read More
Is your garden soil great? Does it produce an abundant... Read More
If you missed the springtime window of opportunity to divide... Read More
In general, plants grown in straw bales appear to require... Read More
Do you love to sit outdoors and swing for hours... Read More
Many individuals are fascinated by hummingbirds. So much so, that... Read More
Ahh, spring! It has sprung! Gardeners (and budding gardeners -... Read More
Recently I got involved with gardening. Preior to that, all... Read More
Miniature roses are exactly what they sound like. They have... Read More
Early in May here in west central Wisconsin, I can... Read More
With air and water temperatures dropping in most parts of... Read More
If you appreciate plants that have no hesitation in boldly... Read More
The word for 'paradise' comes from the Persian word for... Read More
Today's successful water garden usually is designed as an ecosystem... Read More
Summertime provides the best time of the year to water... Read More
You'll often hear garden writers recommending the use of Epsom... Read More
What is nicer that a lovely backyard garden pond. The... Read More
When hot, sticky days hit, try to use all your... Read More
Orchid Care Part 4 Diseases of the RootsOur final part... Read More
If you are like many people, backyard birding is a... Read More
Throughout the course of time, black roses have conjured... Read More
These days, it's easy to get lost in the wealth... Read More
Tomato Seeds Vs. Tomato Seedlings?Whether you start your own tomato... Read More
Growing your own seedlings is very gratifying and far more... Read More
Doing a full pond cleaning during the colder winter months... Read More
When you start gardening with perennials, it's easy to think... Read More
Deer are the most difficult of all pests to deter... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |