I have planted several perennials in my garden year after year! Help!

What is you location and what have you tried?

Lots and lots of reasons... How long have you been in your place? Shade, sun? Check out what's growing in neighbor's yards. I've gotten a lot of plants from the farmer's market - a little cheaper, and the plants come out of the (mostly) same type of soil I'll be putting them into. Also, are you seeing mole runs? They may not be moles, you may have voles - they will eat the roots and bulbs.

also when cleaning beds cut down don't pull out, save seeds spread in the area so new plants will start the next year, follow planting guide,to make sure planted in proper area, (full sun, shade ect.)if you admire something growing in your neighborhood stop and talk to the neighbor.Sharing plants is the best way to grow.

Might be best to just buy annuals ,if perennials do not come back for the second year. I know the squirrels ,in our area ,will eat the roots and bulbs of some plants. Can get expensive ,as you say.

Are you planting the bulbs too deep or not deep enough? Are you watering the area enough? I would test the soil and then use soil additives depending on the results. You may also want to use bulb enhancer, too.

If all else fails, build a simple garden box with store-bought soil and additives. That may just do the trick.

She didn't say she was planting bulbs.

Change the location of your planting bed to an area that gets full sun not just morning sun. Amend the soil with compost, etc, to improve drainage. Don't water until necessary. Feed lightly the first yr.

1. First: check the Zone rating of plants, and compare to your own. Do not assume the store is only carrying the right plants for your area. Second: make sure you are planting them in the right exposure, are watering to meet their needs, some want dryer, some want wetter, check soil (for nutrients and drainage). Third: follow the advice of Janet and Annette.

All great suggestions from experienced gardeners. I might add one thing. It is best to purchase perennials from an established nursery. Too often, people fall prey to the beautiful seed catalogs only to find find the perennials shipped to them are tiny and in poor condition. Not all nurseries are equal and some online shippers are very reputable but not all of them.

One more thing to remember with perennials. The old saying goes. "Sleep, creep, leap". Give them a couple of years before giving up on them, they may still be establishing a good root system. They may not do much the first year, grow a little the second year and do well the third year.

Also, be sure when planting to loosen the roots a bit. I call it tickling and add a little root stimulant (don't over do it).

Good luck

Check with your local Master Gardeners' club. One or more of them should be willing to make a house call to discuss with you what plant should go where. Most of these master gardeners started out just like you and would be overjoyed to help you get started on the right path. Also, most would welcome the conversation and company.

More than likely something is eating them, if you mulch with weed shield it's a haven for varmints underground you'll find planting daffodils in among them will keep the varmints away. I also put moth balls under mulch pads.

the garden is in the east side of our property with nothing around it. I have tried every imaginable perennial. Some will seem to come back for one year, but die back after that and never seem like they have even gotten bigger or filled out.

have your soil tested, my 1st house, some one was killing "weeds" w/ gasoline and or used oil and poisening the soil in that area. the 1st few inches were ok, further down not so much.

The best perennials are those that you get from an established garden. Store bought rarely lasted me a year or two. I think they're forced to grow too fast and don't have good root systems. Drive around your area and look for the perennials you want and ask if they have thinnings you could dig up. April or May is a good time. Sometimes people in suburbs sell their thinnings. Check a free local paper or grocery store bulletin board. My best perennials came from the side of the road or as thinnings from a friend. And absolutely try new soil with new plantings. It never hurts. Good Luck

Thank you all for the comments. I always check the zone, exposure requirements and spacing. What I can see what might be the problem is my soil. My mother passed away so the gardening will be put on hold for this year, but I will do the soil test for my garden next year.

This year none of my established 5 butterfly bushes and 6 cone-flowers came back. Very disappointing. In CT zone 7. Not a bad winter but perennials didn't come back.