Gardening For Beginners - What Are Perennials?

Perennials are the backbone of many flower gardens. They are the plants that return year after year. To many it's like seeing old friends reappear, surviving the winter's freezing cold and gracing the garden again with their familiar flowers and scents.

It would seem that perennials would be the easy answer for a flower garden - just plant once and for years the garden is complete. The gardener can just sit back and enjoy. This is far from the truth however. Perennials take a little research and planning to be used for full effect. Some bloom very early as Lilies of the Valley and Bleeding Hearts. By the time the early summer flowers of Salvia and Coneflowers emerge the late spring varieties have all but finished for the year. Other varieties like Brown Eyed Susans don't appear at all until late summer. Perennials for the most part don't bloom for the whole season. Using these plants, your gardens will be continually changing throughout the summer. That is why good planning is essential. If only early blooming plants are set that flowerbed will be flowerless by mid summer. Many gardeners try to plant a mixture so they have color throughout the growing season. Others supplement their perennials with splashes of color from annuals.

It is a challenge to create a perennial garden that can be enjoyed throughout the summer. It must be planned carefully taking note of plant heights for optimal placement and plant blooming times for continuous blooming flowers. But, it's very satisfying to have a flowerbed full of lovely perennials. They are a background to build upon. They change throughout the season bringing a new look every month or so to appreciate and enjoy.

Besides planning and careful plant choices, regular light maintenance will help your perennials stay healthy. Dividing, pruning, staking and fertilizing - some or all of these tasks may be necessary. A little care goes a long way with these garden stars.

There are many good sites on the Internet to research perennials and mail order sources for plants and seeds are abundant. Get some catalogs this winter and spend some great time investigating these plants. Local nurseries are also beginning to carry more and more perennial plants as their popularity grows. Try some in your garden and enjoy welcoming back your old friends each summer for years to come.