Choosing Perennials for Your Garden - My Top 5 Picks

Perennials are plants that last at least 2 -3 years after being planted. They will either die back in the winter and regrow in the spring or continue growing throughout the year. Most flowering perennials bloom for 2 - 3 weeks and may bloom again in the fall. Perennials tend to be easier to care for and have fewer major problems than annuals. Perennials are perfect for gardeners who do not want to have to replant every spring. They require a much larger commitment to your garden than annuals do, however. Because they will keep growing in the same area unless rooted out, you must be sure that they are exactly what you want in the area that you plant them.

With such a huge variety of perennials to choose from, a gardener needs to have ways to pick and choose which perennials will be best for the area to be planted. While color, height and length of blooming time are all important considerations for the overall look of your garden, they are not the only concerns. Some things to consider are the soil type, wetness of the ground, sun exposure and type of design you are seeking. There are perennials that will do well in almost any conditions and others are extremely sensitive to changes in moisture and soil. Check the labels on plants before purchase to ensure that the plants you choose will do well in the area you want to plant them.

One of my criteria for perennials is that I want them to be beautiful all year round, not just when they are blooming. I also need plants that are easy to care for and require little in the way of maintenance once established. All five of my top picks follow these criteria.

Perennial Flower Pick #1 - Peony (Paeonia)

Peonies are the most recognized perennials and also one of the longest living. There are peonies that are hundreds of years old! The flowers of this plant can be pink, white, red or yellow and the plants themselves are a reddish color when young and become a nice, dark green as they mature. The flowers are large and beautiful and the plant blooms for several months in the summer. These are easy to grow but may need to be staked to keep them from bending under the weight of the blooms.

Perennial Flower Pick #2 - Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Russian Sage is a bush like plant that can grow fairly tall. The plant has many stems and has the flowers at the end of each stem. The blooms are a bright blue and can last for months. This is a plant that does well in a sunny spot with good drainage. It handles drought really well and is extremely easy to grow. You will need to prune it down to about 6 inches or so in the spring to encourage growth and more flowers. Another great thing about this plant is that most pests will not bother it!

Perennial Flower Pick #3 - Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii)

The turtlehead may have an odd name but it has absolutely stunning flowers. The blooms are pink, white or red and the plants form clumps with dark green leaves. The plants can get up to 2 -3 feet tall. Turtleheads love moist dirt and shady areas, but can also do well in partial sun. They can live and thrive with very little care. This plant blooms in late summer and can even still have flowers into late autumn or early winter.

Perennial Flower Pick #4 - Siberian Iris (Iris siberica)

This particular perennial is probably one of the easiest and most forgiving. The Siberian iris is a gorgeous blue or purple flower that is great for beds or for cutting. The plants themselves are attractive even when not blooming. These plants do well in almost any conditions. Drought, heat and pests do not bother them much. Once the plants are established, they should survive without much effort. They will do fine in shade but prefer sun to partial sun. They will also bloom again in the fall in warmer areas.

Perennial Flower Pick #5 - Allegheny Foam Flower (Tiarella cordifolia)

These flowers are great for ground cover. The blooms are white or pink and the leaves are velvety green and maple leaf shaped. These plants spread easily but do not overwhelm other plants in their area. The flowers are spiked and fuzzy. I like this plant because it does well in shady areas and under trees. It will almost care for itself.

Sources:

http://perennial-plants.suite101.com/article.cfm/your_first_perennial_bed#ixzz08uCZxsW7

http://www.naturehills.com/catalog/perennials.aspx

http://www.mygardencreation.com/plants_and_flowers.html