Perennials
Got a sunny spot? Plant some perennials! The butterflies and bees and hummingbirds will love you. You will love it, too!
Oh how I love perennials!
Oh how I love perennials!
Last fall I tore out some lawn and started a small perennial bed. My long-term plans include very little grass and LOTS of perennials. This is the first spring for these flowering wonders and I am not disappointed.
Why do I love perennials? In the winter the beds are fairly barren as many die back leaving wonderful seed heads. Then as spring approaches, tiny shoots start to appear beneath the leaves, and before you know it the bed springs to life.
One by one the plants come back to life, larger and fuller each year. Each starts their blooming season that often lasts well into late fall. Just watching the buds form and slowly open is a daily delight.
My perennial beds are usually teeming with life as our pollinator friends find much needed sustenance. At any given time, you will find butterflies flitting about and spot a hummingbird or two. What’s not to love?
Perennials are best planted in the fall when the earth is warm, the blooming season is coming to a close and the energy of the plant can be directed into building a healthy root system.
Don’t be afraid to add a few new plants in the early spring. Just know that you will need to keep them watered until they are well established.
Watching the buds form and anticipating the arrival of large, beautiful flowers is part of the fun of gardening with perennials.
What are your favorite perennials? I have too many to count!
Frequently asked questions
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