Perennial Plants in the Garden
For garden enthusiasts, the return of a perennial plant is much like the return of an old friend each year, a reunion of sorts. Same time, same place and nothing much has changed, at least with the plant! Dependable. Reliable. Something to count on. Something to look forward to. And, their return is not as long-lived as the annual which blooms all summer and into fall; perennials will bloom for three or four weeks and it is their short stay that makes them even more attractive and once they are gone, we begin to anxiously await their return. Such is life, as a gardener!
Perennials provide us with all sorts of choices. We can plan our garden around our schedule. If spring is the time of year when you find yourself at home, you can tailor a perennial garden to bloom mainly in spring. Or, if you want continuous blooms, that can also be arranged with perennials. Themes can be achieved with perennials: the white garden, the butterfly garden, the cutting garden, and the shade garden. You name it, you can have it. Gardening with perennials is a bit like decorating your interior; you need design, imagination and a sense of what you ultimately want to achieve. And, just like decorating, mistakes will be made but they need not be expensive or anxiety producing. Perennials are accommodating and if it needs to be moved, you can easily dig it up, move it and see what happens!
And, as in any good decorating venture, planning is a necessity or you will be sorry. So, pick your site and make sure that your plant’s needs match the particulars of that site. Ideally, you have a sunny, southeastern exposure with great soil. But, if not, no worries. Perennials come in many shapes, colors and sizes and they all have different requirements in terms of soil and light. Unless you live on the 20th floor in Manhattan, you can grow perennials. But, know your site, know your soil and then get to know the plants that are best suited for your yard.
Make sure that you prepare a good bed, and think about its design before you start digging up the lawn or tearing down the house. This step should not be overlooked. Think carefully. In fact, take this as seriously as you would if you were planning an addition to the house. Anticipate the future: “what will this look like in 3 years?” And, consider what it will look like from many perspectives. A well-considered border is a must, and most people prefer the gentle sweeping curves rather than a rectangular “bed” that doesn’t consider the contours of the landscape. Your bed should have distinctive lines that work with the house, the yard – make sure that your borders work with the landscape, not fight with it. You don’t want your perennial bed to look like an unwanted guest.
Get to know the plants you are putting into your garden. Each does have its own characteristic, and you need to know them well:
Sun-lovers don’t like shade, hostas with a 4′ spread need room and shouldn’t be crammed next to anything, and the 3 foot tall delphinium should not go into the front of the border. Know what you are dealing with; learn about the growth habits of your plants before you put them in the ground!
And, decide how you are going to plant them. Do you prefer a mass grouping of the same species, or do you like a more specimen-oriented garden? Plants are usually set out in three or five to a kind to create a sweeping, dramatic effect. Too many different plants can sometimes make for a confusing effect, a little too chaotic. Color, height, spread is all factors that you need to consider before you plant.
Perennial gardening is a combination of artistic sensibilities, good solid planning and the willingness to make changes when needed. You need to be flexible. You need to take a risk. You need to admit a mistake! But, in the end, it is the most rewarding type of gardening for those who love to keep tweaking their garden over the years. Perennial gardeners talk about their returning plants like old friends.
