Info about Perennials

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LONG LASTING PERENNIALS

As you plan your flower garden, you will most likely want to plant plenty of perennials. Unlike annuals, which only bloom for one season, perennial flowers return year after year. When choosing perennials for your garden, you will need to know the USDA Zone for your area. You can check with your local Extension Office to learn the zone for your area. Or, check a zone map, such as the one that can be accessed from www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/


Many perennials bloom for only a short period of time. For this reason, many gardeners choose to plant a mixture of perennials and annuals in their gardens. If you are looking for long lasting perennials, however, there are plenty for you to choose from.


• Bellflower (Companula)


Zones: 4-9
Bloom Span: Two months or more, depending on the species Growing

Conditions: An easy to grow and long living plant. Grows best in areas with either cool summers or when grown in partial shade. Will self-sow.


Care: Mow or shear the plant to just a few inches if it begins to look ragged or tired after several blooms. This will help it grow back with a fresher appearance.


Best Species Choices: Blue Chips or Blue Clips (Campanula carpatica) and White Chips or White Clips (also Campanula carpatica)


• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)


Zone: 3-9
Bloom Span: Three months


Growing Conditions: Rudbeckia are native plants to many areas of North America, making them particularly easy to grow and adaptable to many different conditions. It does, however, prefer somewhat lean, well-drained soil in full sun.


Care: Cut Rudbeckia will last a long time in water. Deadheading spent blooms will help continue the blooming season. Rudbeckia are also an excellent choice for attracting butterflies, which are attracted to their flat petals. In addition, birds enjoy eating their seeds in the winter. They can be easily divided for multiplication.


Good Species Choices: Goldsturm (Rudbeckia fulgida)


• Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)


Zones: 2-9
Bloom Span: Three to Four Months


Growing Conditions: Full sun; stems will become floppy if given too much shade


Care: Gaillardia’s provide attractive yellow petals with burgundy centers. Gaillardia will bloom all summer if provided full sun conditions without deadheading. Deadheading will, however, help keep the plant attractive in appearance. The plant itself does not live very long and, therefore, should be seeded or divided often.


Good Species Choices: Burgandy (Gaillardia), Goblin – dwarf variety (also Gaillardia), and Monarch (also Gaillardia)


• Catmint (Nepeta)


Zones: 3-9
Bloom Span: Two to three months


Growing Conditions: Very drought tolerant, an excellent substitute for lavender if you cannot get it to grow in your garden as most varieties of gray foliage and flowers that are blue-lavender in color.


Care: Nepata is not the same as catnip, which is somewhat weedy in appearance. Cats are, however, sometimes attracted to this plant. It will continually bloom through the summer if deadheaded.


Good Species Choices: Six Hills Giant (Nepeta) and Dropmore (Nepeta x fasseenii). The Dropmore variety does not require deadheading.


• Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)


Zones: 3-9
Bloom Span: Two to three months


Growing Conditions: Very drought tolerant, prefers well drained soil and full sun. Stalks can become floppy if it receives too much water.


Care: Although Echinacea grows on tall stalks, it is self supporting and does not require staking. Deadheading extends blooming period.
The plant spreads very slowly, though it can be divided easily. Seed heads can remain throughout the winter and provide tasty treats to birds. The flowers themselves are attractive to birds and butterflies.


Good Species Choices: Fragrant Angel (Echinacea purperea), Magnus (also Echinacea purperea), and Art’s Pride (Echinacea)