If you think that flower gardens look great but are too much work, there's an option to consider. A perennial garden is full of showy flowers that come back for repeat performances, year after year. They're low-maintenance and attract birds and butterflies. Better yet, they give you good value on the dollar since they keep multiplying.
You want to be able to get at your perennial garden from at least two sides. Good areas for perennials are by patios, fences, or along the house. Since most perennials love sun, pick areas that get up to 10 hours of light a day in peak summer. Some perennials, like hostas, thrive in the shade, so check the plant tag before buying.
It's worth spending some time looking through books and magazines to see what plants you like best before you make a purchase. Perennials live a long time, so be happy with your decisions. Think about height, color, fragrance, and placement as you design your garden.
In general, your soil should be loose and crumbly, and provide good drainage. You can amend it by adding one inch of Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables or Miracle-Gro® Organic Choice® Garden Soil. Make sure you remove weeds, since they look ugly and compete for water and nutrients.
Springtime is great for planting perennials. Your plants usually come with planting directions when you buy them. Water them well to help them establish, and see if the soil settles. If it does, just fill in holes or spaces with more garden soil.
You're off the hook in the maintenance department. Your perennials can pretty much take care
of themselves. You can get them started well by sprinkling a slow-release plant food, such as Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® Continuous Release All-Purpose Plant Food when you plant. You can also mulch to keep weeds out and moisture in. Bugs can occasionally attack perennials. When that happens, control them with Ortho® EcoSense™ Brand* Insecticidal Soap. If your weather turns dry, give
your perennials some water, especially if they're wilting. Over time, some of your perennials
may need to be divided to prevent overcrowding. Otherwise, that's all you have to do to enjoy
beautiful colors all season long.
*Not intended to imply environmental safety either alone or compared to other products.
