Perennial Border Flowers For a Colorful Flower Garden
Best perennials for flower gardens are those that can survive even the harshest conditions. These plants can provide color, beauty and endurance to a flower garden for years to come. A perennial plant may not seem like a good choice for beginners because it does not have a long growing season. However, with the proper planning and research, you can find and purchase perennials that will be able to thrive year after year.
Perennial plants are those that can stay in the same place year after year. This type of plant is known as a perennial because they bloom and then die in the same year. If you do not want to have your flower garden to take off and move to a new location, then think about perennials. Perennials can be purchased in many forms including bulbs, annuals, grasses, and shrubs. Each type of plant has different needs and should be treated accordingly when planting your flower garden.
Bulbs are the easiest plants to care for in a flower garden. They are small, easy to maintain, and bloom year-round. There are several types of bulbs including:
Dendrobium – these plants have a fern-like blooming that covers the entire flower. The flower itself will have six petals, which bloom in the spring. These blooms fade in the fall and turn into daffodils in the winter. In the spring they will bloom again. It is recommended that perennials are planted in groups, as clumps will not bloom at all.
Hosta – This flower has fern-like leaves and stems. It is a slow-growing perennial that blooms in the spring. The flower heads are large, about one to two inches in diameter, and are red, purple, or orange. In the early summer it blooms into a wild flower that is similar to a gardenia. This plant also will grow tall and may need trimming.
Stachys – This is a perennial that can be found in many types of gardens. The flowers are long and trumpet-shaped and the leaves are alternate and pinnately. These plants grow slowly but do not require much attention. If you are new to gardening, a stachybort will provide sage-like blooms in the fall with pretty purple and blue flowers for the remainder of the year.
Perennial shrubs are the best choice for borders because they can be repeatedly planted year after year with little concern for growing conditions. Perennials also have an intimate relationship with nature. As they bloom, they serve as reminders of the beauty of nature. Perennial shrubs also are known for their hardiness, which means that they can survive even the harshest of conditions. They will also stay small and without stress if they are contained.
Border plants are an important part of any flower garden, whether it is large or small. The right border plan will create a long lasting visual feature that accentuates the area and the flower garden. The size of the flower garden and the overall design should be considered when selecting a border flower. Although they do take some extra work and maintenance, the rewards can be well worth it.
Shrubbery provides a wide array of bloom times. Spring bulbs, cool-loving annuals, and perennials are just a few types of shrubs that can fill a flower garden with color in the spring and summer. Most shrubbery is fairly easy to grow and maintain and produces colorful blooms throughout the season. One drawback is that some shrubs do not grow as tall as others and therefore do not reach the height of perennials. If the flower garden is to be decorative rather than functional, shorter shrub varieties may be chosen.
Perennial flowers offer color year-round and can often act as a colorful focal point. The best choice for a perennial flower is one that has a long history and is still thriving today. A lot of time should be invested in deciding which type of flower will work best in your area. Different species bloom at different times of the year and some flower buds bloom closer to the base of the flower pod than others. Once the plant is established, these differences should be taken into consideration when planting.
Many flower gardens are designed with perennials as the dominant species. A perennial plant can provide color for years while maintaining minimal maintenance. Many perennials are available for landscaping or container gardening. Plants such as hostas and daffodils bloom throughout the year in areas where southern deciduous trees occur. Other perennials, such as crocus, are best planted in an area where there are no tree flowers during the growing season.
Perennial plants are perfect for the beginning flower gardener and provide color and beauty year-round. Best of all, they are easy to grow and maintain. Plant them in well drained, rich soil, and watch them bloom. As perennial plants grow and spread, you can thin out the flower garden if the need arises.