Perennial Favorites
You’ve got an empty flower bed, and you want to experience the beauty of flowers all summer? You also don’t want to have to plant new plants each spring? It sounds like you should consider perennials.
Confused by the difference between Annuals and Perennials?
Annuals complete their life cycle in just one growing season. The plant germinates in the spring. The plant grows, flowers, and produces seeds before dying.
Perennials, on the other hand, live for more than one growing season. There are two types of perennials: herbaceous and woody. Herbaceous perennials generally die to the ground at the end up the growing season but send up new shoots the following spring. Woody perennials, like trees and shrubs, do not die back to the ground but instead get larger and larger each year.
The following are some of our favorite perennials plants. You can get these beautiful, high-quality perennials at The Gardener’s Choice at a reasonable price.
Hosta are useful in the shade and may be used as a ground cover. Hosta will grow in the sun as well but do their best in partial shade. They tolerate dryness but dislike hot sun, strong wind, and poor drainage. The best soil for them is sandy loam topsoil. Variegated varieties need shade. When planting, set the crown just below the soil surface. Division may be done in early spring or in fall.
Daylillies are useful, tolerant plants that produce flowers on tall stems. The plants form large clumps and may be used as ground cover. The flowers come in a wide range of colors. Daylilies grow in any moist, well-drained soil of average fertility and in sun or in light shade. If planted in light soil, they definitely prefer light shade. Daylilies should be planted in spring or fall.
Gaillardia come in many varieties and like a fertile, well-drained soil with a constant supply of moisture. The colorful flowers are red edged in yellow. They are best used in borders and grow 8-10” tall. The best growth occurs in full sun, but these plants can also tolerate partial shade.
Spiderwort Red Sage bloom June through September and grow from 12-18” tall. The plants are easy to grow and have prolific rosy red foliage. Spiderwort is used for borders or naturalizing. They can be planted in light shade or in full sun.
Meadow Sage produces large clusters of purple flowers. This plant tolerates poor soil and dryness but bloom better in moist soil. They grow their best in full sun or in light shade. Meadow Sage also multiplies rapidly and may need frequent division.
Stop by the Gardener’s Choice to find out more about our Perennial Favorites!
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