Plan for Perennials

by Kathy La Liberte

Perennials are the heart of most flower gardens. These easy-care, dependable plants are prized for their enormous variety of color, texture and fragrance. Plus, unlike annual plants that must be replaced every year, herbaceous perennials re-grow from the same roots each spring.

When laying out a new perennial bed, select an area with well-drained, fertile soil that receives plenty of sunshine. While some perennials grow well in the shade, most prefer at least one-half day of sun. Locating plants correctly will help avoid many problems later on.

Before you begin, amend your garden’s topsoil with organic fertilizers and compost. Perennials will be around for years, so addressing any soil problems before planting is much easier than waiting until after your garden is growing.

Make sure new plants are suitable for your area before you buy them. Check local public gardens and your neighbors’ yards to see which perennials thrive in your climate zone, then select plants based on their bloom time, ultimate size and flower color. Ideally, you’ll want a mix of early blooming flowers, such as iris and coral bells; mid-season show-stoppers, such as daylilies and phlox; and late-season bloomers, such as asters and sedums. Don’t worry too much about color—just choose a palette that you enjoy. Remember, you always can move or replace any mistakes and fill in with colorful annuals later in the year.

Lay out your garden while the plants are still in their pots to achieve the best spacing and combinations. When planting, place perennials’ root balls at the same depth in the soil as they were in their containers, then water well and mulch the area to minimize weed growth.

Though your garden may be a bit sparse the first year, remember the old saying about perennials, “The first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap.” If you choose and plant perennials carefully, you’ll soon be enjoying a bountiful garden with a minimal investment of time and money.

Visit www.gardeners.com/IG to learn more.

Kathy La Liberte is a contributing editor for

first appeared: 3/18/2007