Summary: Perennial flowering plants in the garden are the wonderful little “exclamation points” in our landscape. In this article I’ll share some of my favorite perennials we like and can depend on that grow in our front yard, backyard and in landscape garden beds.
These perennials are top of my list because… I like and can depend on them: first comes the Alyssum Saxatile (basket of gold) which looks like pure gold on a sunny, spring morning. It blooms for a long time and is especially lovely in a rock garden, gracefully spilling over the edge of a large rock.
Grape Hyacinth
I must mention the large Grape Hyacinth (Muscari), which blooms about the same time, (even though it is a bulb) for their bloom is so blue, and delightful when grown in little masses at the foot of a large gray stone or edging an evergreen planting of small, young hemlocks, causing visitors to exclaim and admire them enthusiastically.
Euphorbia Polychroma
Euphorbia Polychroma, listed in so many catalogs, is a mound of rich yellow, so showy in full bloom and continuing so even when covered with rosy-bronze of seed pods way into June. They like sandy soil.
Linum – Blue Flax
The dainty Linum, blue flax, gives airy grace and beauty to the borders edge, as does the Pyrethrum clumps growing here and there all up and down the border. These two are lovely pastel companions. Cora Belle (Heucheras) all varieties are grand, long bloomers, and very desirable plants admired by all. The taller, pink variety is especially lovely growing next to Iris plants in bloom.
Dicentra Eximia
Eximia, ever-blooming bleeding-hearts, is another desirable dainty, and thrives well in a shady moist spot. In May and into June the Hemerocallis, give their showy yellow bloom, demanding attention wherever their large clumps are growing. Hemerocallis need so little care that all gardeners should grow several varieties, and enjoy their bloom and beauty from May through the summer into October. These lilies fill the garden through mid-summer when it is most needed.
Hosta
I especially like the Hosta lilies, funkias, for their beautiful rich textured foliage. Some foliage large, some lance like. The subcordata Grandiflora has large fragrant white flowers, likes a shady home. Iris in a long row, or in generous clumps squeezed into the border wherever there is room are the real pleasure makers.
Gas Plant
The Dictamnus (gas-plant) in pink and in white, is very nice – soon becoming a bushy clump. It resents being moved after once established. Perennial Spirea plants are real standbys with their lovely foliage and feathery bloom, in white, pale pink, and rosy red. Filipendula bloom in early June. Aruncus, in June-July; Ulmaria and Astilbe in July-Aug. All are of medium height. There are others which bloom later. They do not thrive in dry soil.
Deep blue Veronica, Blue Bird, so fine for cutting, the Artemisia, Silver King, are all very special. So are the Campanula persicifolia in blue and in white clumps and the Artemisia lactiflor, which perfumes the whole garden with it’s feathery bloom. These are grand for arrangements. This show comes in early July, August and September.
Platycodon – Balloon Flower
Platycodon, balloon flower in blue and white, both single, and double, bloom are very reliable year after year blooming in July and August. If left in one place they will develop into a nice, large clump simply covered with bells and balloons!
Harrington’s pink fall aster resembles a rose bush when seen from a distance, lovely when grown next to Silver King Artemisia. Sedum spectabilis grows about 21/2 ft. A lower variety about 1 ft. high in greenish white, pink and dark reddish bloom. It likes a moist? shady spot, but will tolerate any “fixation, is a nice plant to tuck in empty spots. The blooms cut when they are the most pleasing colors are nice for winter bouquets.
Echinopsis
Echinopsis, globe thistle, is a drought resistant. The deep blue flowers lovely in the border through August. These should be cut when color just turning blue, for interesting dry arrangements.
Delphiniums
The Queen of the garden, Delphiniums in every shade of color including white, like plenty of room, for sun and air are necessary for their beauty. Perennial phlox, fill the garden with bright color, through summer and into the autumn, could not be forgotten. They need rich soil and plenty of moisture.
Mums are worth waiting for. They bring such a variety of color to the garden in autumn. These may be had in many kinds and colors. Many new ones have been added to the list. One may choose the type and colors, they find most pleasing, or best suited to their garden plans.
When frost is expected, one may cut the bloom and buds, which will last a long time if placed in large containers of water, and kept in a cool room. Plants may be lifted into deep pans or pails, and brought in doors where they will bloom for weeks.
Asters
Fall Asters also add color in autumn. New varieties of these have recently been introduced. Most all gardeners like to add a few ‘New’ plants each year, to the old dependables. This adds interest, for who does not enjoy watching a “new” flower show.
Platycodons
Platycodons grow easily from seeds and will have some blossoms the first year. Even the semi-doubles may be grown successfully from seeds. Old plants with their big, fleshy roots are difficult to reset. Young plants may be moved with ease.
Canterbury Bells
Canterbury Bells provide such armloads of blossoms in June. It takes two years from seeds to flower. The plants are biennial and die after blooming. If you like the cup and saucer type be sure to get seeds of Calycanthema. Plant in early spring and reset to a permanent bed as soon as the plants are large enough to handle.
Seeds that have a very hard coat sometimes germinate better if soaked a while before planting, or by notching. Many tree and shrub seeds must be fall planted in order to let winter’s freezing and thawing crack the hard seed coat.
I have good success with Phlox divaricata and Mertensia virginica to sow the seeds as soon as ripe. They germinate the following spring. Eryngium leavenworthi is easily kept from year to year by allowing seeds to fall and volunteer. Columbines are short-lived as a rule. Keep a good supply of plants on hand by sowing seeds in very early spring. Delphinium seed germinates better if sown as soon as mature than if held over for spring planting. It must be planted early enough so that the little plants get large enough to go through the winter.
Unless you have plenty of volunteers, plan to sow seeds of such annuals as Larkspur, Cup Flower (Nierembergia), Dahlberg Daisy,
Petunia, Salvia, Silene, Annual Phlox and others for glorious color in the garden. These may be sown in very early spring.
by Dave Meyer
