THOSE PICTURESQUE PERENNIALS

The term perennial refers to plants which return to grow and bloom year after year in a given climate, or perennially, thus the name "perennial".  While some folks consider this to be an elementary term, it is always frustrating to use a term that is unknown to the addressee.  Conversely, the term "annual"  refers to a plant which only survives for one growing season in a given climate.  A general rule, as compared to annuals,  is that blooming perennials tend to have a shorter bloom period, usually lasting from 2 or 3 weeks to as long as 3 or 4 months.  A bearded iris is a perennial which blooms 2 or 3 weeks.  A clematis blooms 3 or 4 months.  Annuals usually bloom strongly throughout their bloom life which is usually 4 to 6 months.  Why would we plant something which would bloom for 20 days and then die?

    Planting a variety of different perennials throughout the garden is popular because something different is always happening throughout the garden - sort of like watching a good movie.  Crocus emerge with a sunny yellow bloom often emerge in the snow as do Helleborus ("Lenten Rose") in white, green, or pink.  April brings the many colors of Creeping Phlox, Bleeding Hearts, daffodils, tulips, columbine, dogwoods, and cherries.  May parades iris, peonies, and poppies.  Early summer brings us yarrow, foxglove, and Veronica.  Summer yields tons of daylillies, "Red Hot Poker" (Kniphofia), hardy hibiscus, and coreopsis.  Late summer has blooms from the "Resurrection Lily" (Lycoris squamigera), Autumn Joy sedum, and splendid ornamental grass foliage.  In September we have chrysanthemums and asters going bonkers.

    This is simply a small sampling of the array of color and variation which is available to the gardener.  The point is that you can design your own scheme of things within your garden, much like choreographing a dance.  Generally, groupings of perennials make a greater statement than one of everything, though some randomness does lend itself to pleasant surprises.  While the bloom period may be shorter for perennials as compared to annuals, often the season long foliage of the plant is as much of an attraction as the blossom.  Some examples of perennials with interesting foliage would be Coral Bells, hostas, and Japanese Blood grass.

    The other obvious advantage to perennials is that you only have to purchase and plant them one time, which adds up to savings of time and money.  I will refute myself by saying that every landscape should have some annuals because they offer change, extended mass color, and are an inexpensive way to fill large blank areas.  I suppose the old adage "Variety is the spice of life!" certainly applies to gardening.  Until next week.