In this article, you will learn:
Hello and welcome to this guide to perennial gardening. If you’re new to gardening, you might have heard about perennials and wondered: What is a perennial? How long do they last? Where can I get perennials for my garden? Do I need a lot of space for a perennial garden?
In this article, we’ll explore the answers to those questions and more! And if you’re more experienced with gardening, we’d love your input in the comments below. 🙂
How to choose the right perennial for your yard
Some of the most important considerations when choosing perennials for your yard are light requirements, soil type, climate zone, water needs, space limitations and maintenance.
- Light: The majority of peonies do well in full sun (6 to 8 hours per day) with some varieties tolerating partial shade (4 to 6 hours per day).
- Soil Type: Peonies can grow in a wide range of soils but prefer fertile, well drained soil with a neutral pH.
- Climate Zone: The USDA Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into 11 separate zones; each zone is 10°F warmer (or colder) in an average winter than the adjacent zone. Peonies are hardy from USDA zones 3-8. There is generally at least one variety that will work in every planting zone.
- Water Needs: Most peonies prefer moist soil and flower best when they have been watered regularly throughout the season. They need only occasional watering once established after their third season, but they will not tolerate drought conditions or over watering. In many areas it may be difficult to determine whether or not your plants are receiving enough water – check them weekly during dry weather by probing the soil with your finger; if it feels dry more than 2” down you should probably give them some water. Do not overdo it though! Overwatering will cause root rot and kill your plants as surely as underwatering!
What is a perennial?
While perennial plants can be any plant that lives for more than two years, most of the time when we talk about perennials in the garden we’re talking about flowering plants. There are many different types of perennials, and some common ones include daffodils, tulips, irises, peonies and sunflowers.
Perennial flowers are easy to grow and low-maintenance. You will find them to be a great choice as you plan out your garden and flower beds.
How long do perennials last?
It’s hard to beat perennials for long-term color in your garden.
Some of them only last a couple or three years, but some live for decades. Once you find a variety that does well in your yard, you will have it forever. Perennials are also easy to start from cuttings or division, so it is simple to spread them throughout your yard. Some people make an entire business out of this!
Perennials are reliable and low maintenance plants, making them an ideal choice if you want beautiful flowers without the work of planting annuals every year. They can’t be easier than bulbs! Plant a bulb once and it will flower year after year for at least ten years, if not more; make sure to plant the bulbs at least 6 inches deep so they have space underground where they can grow undisturbed by shallow roots and mowers/trimmers above ground level (not deeper than 10 inches though because there’s not enough soil moisture).
What are some common perennials?
You might have heard of many perennials, given that they’re so common. Here’s a list of some you might recognize, along with details about their flowers and growth habits:
- Hydrangea. The blue hydrangeas are the ones that come to mind for most people when they think of hydrangeas, but other colors like white and pink also exist. The flower heads are made up of many tiny flowers that grow on the ends of branches together in a large group or cluster. These plants can be grown as shrubs or small trees in zones 4 through 9. They prefer partial shade to full sun and require regular watering to thrive. If planted in soil with high acidity levels, they will produce blue flowers; if the soil is alkaline, they will grow pink instead.
How do I plant perennials?
Planting perennials is easy, but there are a few important steps to keep in mind:
- Prepare the planting area by removing weeds and digging a hole big enough for the plant’s root ball.
- Put the plant in the hole and cover it with soil.
- Water well so that it will grow well.
- Fertilize if necessary–this isn’t always the case.
Where can I get perennials for my garden?
Fall is the time of year when many gardeners start looking forward to spring. But even in a mild climate like ours, you can find some perennials that will thrive during the winter months and bloom right into early spring. This list includes the top 10 perennials that will help you get an early start on your flower beds this spring.
The Perennial Monarch Philadelphus coronarius is a classic plant for late-spring and early-summer blooming, but it’s also known as the “lily of the woods.” The reason for this is its strange habit of putting out one or two flowers per leaf sprout in midwinter, producing dozens of buds throughout the winter on its stems. Although these flowers are usually not noticeable to people during daylight hours, they’re probably more plentiful than any other flowering tree or shrub in your yard at nightfall—an amazing show full of pale yellow trumpets that move their heads back and forth as if dancing with their insect admirers. Even though P. coronarius is such a fascinating plant in itself, what makes it even more impressive is that it’s often grown from cuttings (so-called “lilies”) because they’re so popular with collectors. Many nurseries sell them as cheap houseplants or decorative potted plants year-round; however, if you’ve got room to set them outside in your garden where they’ll be visible all season long, you’re likely to see many more than one flowering stem per leaf sprout—making this plant a true perennial classic!
Growing Philadelphus coronarius from cuttings allows people to enjoy some unique benefits. Perhaps because they’re not dependent on a particular sunny spot or fertile soil conditions—they can be grown almost anywhere year-round—cuttings are often given away at Christmas parties and birthdays instead of expensive presents; after all, everyone loves lilies! The best part about these lilies is
How do I maintain my perennial garden?
Needing to maintain a perennial garden, I found myself wondering what kind of plants would work best in the long run. After reading up on perennials and their winter dormancy—when they go into a sort of hibernation—I came across Spring Perennials: An A-Z List of Perennial Flowers That Will Brighten Your Spring Garden . It was one of the best gardening guides I’ve read. The author, Mary Jane Minkin, has an encyclopedic knowledge about all things about gardening, with the added bonus that she’s also a talented writer. With her thorough and practical resources for maintaining your perennial garden, you’ll be able to grow beautiful flowers without spending too much time or money on it.
When do perennials bloom?
Here are a few of the perennials we planted throughout our yard:
- Arborvitae, known as silverleaf or Douglas fir in some areas, is a small tree that will grow to just over three feet tall. A semi-evergreen shrub at its base, it varies in appearance depending on where it’s grown and how it’s cared for: and can be found everywhere from the shorelines of Lake Michigan to the mountains of New Mexico. Depending on the variety you choose, they can bloom repeatedly throughout spring and summer and survive with only a single watering. With a low deer population near our house (and beautiful pink blossoms), this plant has proven itself as an outdoor workhorse that doubles as a decorative border in our garden. It blooms in June and July if you’re lucky enough to see them or you can use ‘Royale’ for an annual display with repeated blooms later in the season (check out their illustrated guide to growing and caring for arborvitae here ).
- Memorial Day is one of those special days when everyone gets together to celebrate America’s most patriotic holiday dedicated to those who have died fighting for what they believed in. For me, I like to visit my parents-in-law who live on the coast of Maine, who spend most of May working outside all day while enjoying their morning coffee cups outdoors by a wooded streamside. They’ve created an old-world feel by surrounding themselves with large trees: pecan and oak among others—which also host very pretty flowers during springtime months like May into June .
- Blackberry bush grows very well here in my zone 7 coastal area—the first year we planted it was 2012 when we bought our home; by mid-July there were already many blackberry bushes around town. This evergreen shrub will grow up to three feet tall with glossy dark green foliage that turns red shades when they’ve ripened their fruit; these tiny berries are slightly tart but make
Why should I grow perennial flowers in my garden? Perennial flowers add color to your garden and give it a unique look. They are beautiful plants that come back year after year with minimal care required. You can enjoy the beauty of these flowers without having to replant them every spring. There are many different types of perennials to choose from!
Perennial flowers add color to your garden and give it a unique look. They are beautiful plants that come back year after year with minimal care required. You can enjoy the beauty of these flowers without having to replant them every spring. There are many different types of perennials to choose from!
- Perennial flowers are beautiful plants that come back year after year.
- Perennial flowers can be planted once and will last for many years.
- You can enjoy the beauty of these flowers without having to replant them every spring.
Perennial flowers add color to your garden and give it a unique look.
You’ve probably heard of perennials, but do you know what they are? Perennial flowers are those that come back year after year with minimal care required. You get the benefit of enjoying the beauty of these flowers without having to replant them every spring. There are many different types of perennials to choose from, so there is one for every garden and every type of gardener.Spring Perennials: An A-Z List of Perennial Flowers That Will Brighten Your Spring Garden
With the arrival of spring, gardeners are getting ready to plant their gardens. While some gardeners may be most interested in annual flowers, which only bloom for one season, there are many other choices available. Many people opt for spring perennials as well. These plants come back every year and offer a wonderful array of color and scent to your garden. Below is an alphabetical list of perennial flowers that will brighten your garden this spring.
Calendula
Also known as pot marigold, the calendula is a member of the daisy family. Calendula blossoms can be yellow or orange and are used for medicinal purposes in addition to being added to salads or used as a dye for food coloring.
Daffodil
The daffodil is one of the most popular spring flowering bulbs and comes in multiple colors, including white, pink and yellow. There are over 50 different species of daffodil available with numerous hybrid varieties as well. These beautiful flowers can also be used to make a medicinal tea.
Hyacinth
Hyacinths have a strong fragrance and come in various shades of
The world is blooming. Every year, we get to experience the wonder of spring anew. Ah, daisies and daffodils, lavender and lilacs—there’s nothing like it!
But if you want your yard to be a perennial paradise, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve made this handy list of A-Z perennials that are perfect for your spring garden.
Perennials are flowers that come back again every year (as opposed to annuals, which flower once). They’re not all the same—some thrive in partial shade while others need lots of sun; some will bloom all season long while others will only blossom once. So what should you choose?
That depends on what you’re looking for and the kind of space you have available for your garden. Use this guide as a reference when planning out your garden design, and don’t forget to check out our other blogs on perennials, their flowers, and garden designs!
As the weather warms and days get longer, it’s time to start planning your spring garden. Pull out the gardening books, dream up a new design, and start searching for the perfect perennial flowers to add to your spring garden. To help you get started, here’s an A-Z list of some of our favorite spring perennials, complete with pictures of each flower!
Alpine aster: These pretty purple flowers grow in bunches and look lovely when paired with other blue or purple flowers.
Bellflower: This bell-shaped flower is available in a variety of colors and grows in tall clusters.
Clematis: This delicate climbing vine is available in a wide variety of gorgeous colors, but our favorite is this pale pink variety.
Daffodil: Daffodils are the first sign that spring has arrived! They’re available in a huge array of different colors, from classic yellow to bright pinks and blues.
Echinacea: Echinacea is also known as coneflower because its petals form a cone shape around its center. These pretty pink blossoms have big blooms and thick stems that make them great for cut flower arrangements.
Foxglove: The spires of foxglove produce drooping bell
If you love gardening, and are looking for a gorgeous space that invites you to relax, Perennial flowers are the key to your success.
Did you know that there are thousands of perennial plants from which we can choose? And did you know that most perennials bloom in the springtime?
Well, it’s true! And we’ve compiled one of the most exhaustive lists of these beauties on the web. You can use this list as a resource for your next garden project—whether it be a small flower bed or an entire yard. These gorgeous plants will transform your space into something truly special, and they’re all perfect for the springtime. So, get your shovels ready!
One of the best things about spring is the flowers that start to bloom. You see flowers in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes and each flower represents a unique aspect of spring.
If you want to enjoy the beauty of these flowers all year long, consider planting perennials in your garden. These plants can be planted once and then enjoyed for years because they are not limited to just one season.
Below is an alphabetized list of perennial flowers that bloom in the spring:
Aquilegia
Brunnera macrophylla
Corydalis lutea
Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart)
Epimedium grandiflorum (Barrenwort or Bishop’s Hat)
Fritillaria meleagris (Checkered Lily)
Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop)
Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose) First Perennial To Bloom In Spring
Iris reticulata (Dwarf Iris) Blooms March To April
Lamium maculatum (Spotted Dead Nettle) Grows In Partial Shade And Moist Soil. Blooms May To
Spring is an exciting time for your garden, as the first flowers start to bloom and the earth comes back to life. Some of the most beautiful flowers you can plant in your garden are perennials, which come back every year (even if you forget to water them).
Here’s a list of our favorite perennial plants that bloom in the spring!
The first is Agapanthus, a genus of around ten species of perennial flowering plants from South Africa. Also known as Lily of the Nile or African lily, agapanthus is one of the most common perennials planted in gardens across North America. The plant has strap-like leaves and produces clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers that grow on stems anywhere from four inches to eight feet tall, depending on the species.
Agastache foeniculum, commonly known as anise hyssop or blue giant hyssop, is another popular choice for springtime gardening. This member of the mint family grows up to 4 feet tall and produces purple-blue flower spikes that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. This plant is drought tolerant once it’s established and doesn’t mind poor soil conditions!
The next is Ajuga reptans, also called bugleweed or carpet bugle. It’s a low-
When spring comes, flowers are not the only things that bloom. Your garden can sparkle like a star-studded sky on a warm spring night with these perennials.
Achillea
With its masses of tiny, yellow flowers, Achillea is a great addition to your garden in the spring and summer months. It has a long blooming season and is easy to grow. Achillea thrives in full sun and is drought tolerant once it is established. In addition to yellow, you can find this plant in various shades of pink and white.
Agapanthus
This South African native is known as Lily-of-the-Nile and African lily, but whatever you call it, Agapanthus makes an excellent addition to any garden. This evergreen perennial grows up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide with lilylike flowers that have purple or blue petals with white centers. Agapanthus prefers full sun and grows well in USDA zones 9 through 11.
Ajuga
If you have trouble finding plants that will grow under trees or other shady areas of your garden, Ajuga will do the trick. This perennial grows low to the ground with small leaves that are often variegated with shades of purple