What You Should Know About Perennial Gardening

When you think of a garden, plants of different sizes and types may come to mind. Some also have images of a person on their hands and knees digging in the dirt. Other people picture a spot that landscape garden teams design and maintain. No matter which image you have in mind when you choose to create a garden space, there are some things you should know.

Focus

Landscape design is all about creating a picture with living colors and shapes instead of painting with oils or watercolors. So, just like any picture, a focus is essential for the success of the whole concept. Most gardeners prefer large items such as trees, fountains, or ornamental fixtures as the central focus of the garden. The perennials are then planted around the focus item.

Suitability

Not all perennial plants are created equal when it comes to the acidity of the soil, the growth rate, or the required annual maintenance. Although you may find a plant you love for its texture or color, if you take a clipping or small plant home and nurture it, you may discover your beloved plant is not suitable for your yard. Before you plant a garden, you will also need to understand the growth patterns, yearly spread, and required maintenance of plants such as

• Bushes
• Climbers
• Ferns
• Flowers
• Trees

It is essential to understand how the whole landscape garden design will fit together before sowing one item.

Vines

Vines are a great choice if you want a permanent accent cutting that can be planted near your focal piece. Placing a decorative trellis to support the vine can add to the beauty of the picture you are painting. Good vining plants to choose from may include:

• Honeysuckle
• Trumpet vine
• Clematis
• Climbing rose
• Virginia creeper

Before you choose a creeping vine, check the amount of water, shade, and support the plant requires.

Design

If you want to paint a beautiful perennial garden picture, don’t be afraid of asking for help at your local nursery or landscape garden shop. You may be surprised at how knowledgeable the staff can be.