Mix Perennials into Your Garden for Staying Power

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.

---

Plants To Grow Old With or The Constant Battle

Following are a few paragraphs about the on going battle... Read More

Earthworm Friends in the Garden

Earthworms are a gardener's best friend.Research has shown that earthworm... Read More

Garden Room Boundaries...

The areas of your landscape can be divided into several... Read More

Bird Baths in Your Yard

HOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEHas summer come in with a bang!Heat waves everywhere.And where... Read More

Dill: Scandinavias Most Important Culinary Herb

The ancient herb, Anethum graveolens or Fernleaf dill as it... Read More

Greenhouse Buying Guide - Choosing The Right Greenhouse

When choosing a new greenhouse for your garden there are... Read More

Spurce Up Your Garden With Decorative Birdhouses

Decorative Birdhouses are active garden ornamentation --the presence and movement... Read More

Landscaping of Hindu Religious Places

Traditionally Hindu tepmples were located either on hills or forests... Read More

With So Many Choices For Patio Furniture, Finding The Perfect Set To Complement Your Yard Is Easy

There is nothing more relaxing than kicking back with a... Read More

Themes of Shade

A Shade Garden can be created in any of several... Read More

When to Plant Vegetaibles

Planting times for vegetables and other annual plants vary from... Read More

Decorative Garden Accents

Think of your garden like you would a room in... Read More

Pest Control Tips for Maintaining Your Greenhouse

Greenhouses provide a warm, humid atmosphere and are home to... Read More

Theme Gardens

Flower gardens are for enjoyment. They provide you with visual... Read More

Secrets of Growing Killer Tomatoes

Tomatoes have always been my favorite garden vegetable to grow... Read More

Cultivating Plants In Your Garden...What To Watch Out For

There are so many plants available for you to choose... Read More

Parsley: A Cooks Best Friend

A cook's best friend, Petroselinum crispum, commonly known as curly... Read More

Wildlife Gardener

Gardening for wildlife has become quite a passion for me,... Read More

Flower Meanings

Certain types or colors of flowers mean different things, and... Read More

The Amazing Hummingbird

Without a doubt, hummingbirds are beautiful and interesting creatures.Those living... Read More

The Ultimate Magic Garden

Spring is the season to start planting seeds for the... Read More

Organic or Chemical Feeding of Plants - Whats Best

A fundamental question in vegetable gardening is - what is... Read More

New for 2006 - Granite Flexible Preformed Rock Ponds

Traditionally, preformed ponds are large shells, which are extremely burdensome... Read More

Plan Before Buying Rose Bushes

So, you have decided to plant rose bushes in your... Read More

Lawn Care Business Owners - Dont Buy Yourself A Job

Most businesses consist of the owner only or the owner... Read More