Perennials produce colorful flowers for cutting and display in the home. Perennials are plants that live more than two years, as distinguished from annuals and biennials. Perennials have been cut flower favorites for generations. In many old-time gardens, most of the plants were hardy perennials, such as phlox, peonies, delphinium, and bleeding heart. Because of […] More
Perennials are often referred to as the “busy gardener’s favorites” because they make unnecessary the sowing of seeds or the setting out of transplants every year. A perennial is in the garden for at least two years and most for much longer. Perennials, especially in their flowering habit, offer the gardener many advantages. Added advantage: […] More
Deer-resistant plants are plants deer tend to not eat. If deer are hungry enough they will eat practically any kind of plant. This list includes annuals, perennials, and bulbs that deer have turned away from in many gardens; there is no guarantee they will not eat them in your garden. As a general rule, deer […] More
Fragrant annuals and perennials bring delight to the garden. In planting fragrant annuals and perennials consider first the place and circumstance. Choose annuals and perennials that will grow in your climate, then consider whether the plant will thrive in the sun or shade in the spot you have in mind, then consider the flower color […] More
Long-blooming perennials are perennial plants that will hold blossoms for weeks on end–sometimes as long as 5 to 8 weeks for each flower. Long-blooming perennials are also plants that produce successions of blooms over a long season. They bloom and then they bloom again. Perennials are often referred to as the “busy gardener’s favorites” because […] More
Drought tolerant annuals and perennials are plants that can withstand dry soil after their roots are established. No plant is drought-resistant until it become established. All plants require a steady supply of moisture when first planted. Once a plant is established and has a deep root system, it requires less water. Annuals and perennials started […] More
Autumn-blooming perennials will keep the garden full of color until frost and cold weather arrive. Though comparatively few in number, autumn blooming perennials offer an abundance of blooms and a brilliance of colors. You could easily devote an entire garden to autumn-blooming perennials. Autumn-blooming perennials are best planted in spring and early summer, but with […] More
Perennial plants offer an immense variety of shape, form, color, texture, and scent. There are perennials suitable for nearly every garden. Perennials are herbaceous plants–meaning they are not woody. A perennial commonly lives for 3 to 5 years, some much longer. Whereas trees and shrubs give structure to garden design, perennials contribute a great deal […] More
Chinese forget-me-not, botanical name Cynoglossum, bears pendents of sky-blue, sometimes white, or pale pink flowers in late summer. Chinese-forget-me-not is a slow-growing upright and somewhat bushy annual or biennial. Cynoglossums include about 55 species of annuals, biennials, and short-lived perennials. The sprays of small tubular to funnel-shaped flowers resemble forget-me-nots.Cynoglossums often have hairy or bristly […] More
Diascia–commonly called twinspur–produces spikes of pink to lilac flowers above heart-shaped tapering leaves from summer to fall. Twinspur is a great choice for growing in pots or the front of sunny beds or in containers. Diascia has erect or sprawling stems and racemes of tubular flowers with five lobes or ‘petals.’ The bottom lobe is […] More
Hedyotis is a large genus of mostly low-growing perennials and annuals. Hedyotis michauxii is a species often grown in gardens and as a houseplant. It is a low, creeping plant with sky-blue flowers — four, cross-shaped petals with a creamy yellow center. Other species of Hedyotis have white flowers. Hedyotis prefers warm soil and air […] More
Cosmos is an old-fashioned favorite that bears clouds of daisylike flowers on long stems above feathery foliage. Cosmos can be started from seed indoors and transplanted into the garden two or three weeks after the last frost in spring. It will bloom from late spring into autumn. Mass cosmos in large bands or groups in […] More
Stephen Albert