Which Perennials Should I Choose?
Perennials are always a good choice for gardeners who are looking for simple flowers to grow. Many of the types listed here can be grown all year round.
Included below are descriptions, planting space required, germination time and how to best grow your perennials. The majority of these plants are found easily at your local garden center.
Make yourself familiar with the different types of perennials, where they grow best, and whether they would suit your needs before choosing which ones you are going to buy.
Chrysanthemum
- Proper Name: Chrysanthemum Species – Zones 4-9
- Description:These plants are highly diverse and consist of over 200 different types of ornamental species. The stems are very strong, leaves are divided, and flowers are ostentatious. They have been known to blossom in the spring and late fall.
- Soil Recommendations: Well drained moist soil
- Sunlight Requirement: Full Sunlight
- Propagation Methods: This can be done either by cuttings, division, or from seed.
- How to Grow Properly:These perennials should be placed in well drained moist soil in full sun. Although late bloomers, you can speed up the process by pinching the main stems several times until midsummer.
- Where to Keep Them: Chrysanthemums have various different types, styles, and colors. You can place them as rooted cuttings to be set out in the spring or as potted mums in full bloom during the fall time
Coreopsis
- Proper Name: Coreopsis Species - Zones 4-9
- Description: Coreopsis bloom in a variety of colors but the common ones are pink, yellow, and orange. They can grow to be 3 feet tall and all display daisy like flowers on a wiry stem.
- Soil Recommendations: Well drained soil
- Sunlight Requirement: Full Sunlight
- Propagation Methods: Germinate by seeding and divide to create a fuller plant.
- How to Grow Properly: These plants require full sun and well drained soil. These are excellent choices for locations with hot humid conditions because these plants are drought resistant. Recommendations are to deadhead and divided plants frequently to keep them strong.
- Where to Keep Them: Popular locations include garden beds, containers, and wild gardens. The smaller variations look best in hanging baskets and edging plants.
Garden Phlox
- Proper Name: Phlox Paniculata – Zones 3-9
- Description: Phlox are very simple to grow and make beautiful cut flowers. These plants grow with strong stems that sprout lance shaped leaves. The head of the plant is a five pedaled flower that blossoms from the narrow stem tube. Certain flowers are bicolored but popular colors include white, lavender, magenta, and purple.
- Soil Recommendations: Soil must be rich and well drained
- Sunlight Requirement: Full Sunlight or Partial Shade
- Propagation Methods: By frequent division during spring and summer or by seeding.
- How to Grow Properly: Provide plenty of water during the summer time. Keep them in either full sun or partial shade but the soil must be rich and well drained. Space them at least 18” apart and divide every year to keep plants strong.
- Where to Keep Them: The taller styles of phlox look better at the rear of borders. They can be grouped together by color or mixed.
Poppy
- Proper Name: Papaver Orientale – Zones 3-8
- Description: Poppies can grow to graceful stalks measuring 4 feet tall. Although the blooming period is quite short, it is still an important occasion for any gardener. The flowers can measure up to 4” in diameters. The foliage disappears during the summer and reappears in the fall and spring. Colors vary from watermelon pink, pale pink, orange, to scarlet.
- Soil Recommendations: Well drained soil
- Sunlight Requirement: Full Sunlight
- Propagation Methods: By frequent division in the fall or from seed.
- How to Grow Properly: Place them in well drained soil during full sun. Drainage is very important because if the roots stay wet, they will rot quickly. Mulch plants and keep the crown 3” below the surface of the soil to prevent heaving.
- Where to Keep Them: Best locations for poppies are beds and borders in combination with other perennials.
Veronica Speedwell
- Proper Name: Veronica Spicata – Zones 3-7
- Description: These plants are often seen on road sides grown in masses. In Ireland, pinning the plant on clothes of travelers enduring long journeys is said to keep them safe from accidents. Veronica’s have strong stems and can grow several feet tall. The taller variations haves densely branched spikes that sprout flowers in the colors of white, pink, blue, or purple during the summer time.
- Soil Recommendations: Place in soil that is well drained
- Sunlight Requirement: Full Sunlight or Partial Shade
- Propagation Methods: By division or from seed
- How to Grow Properly: These plants grow well in full sun or partial shade within soil that is well drained. The plants will not survive for long in wet soil.
- Where to Keep Them: The taller styles should be placed at the back of beds and borders. They also make beautiful cut flowers.
Lavender
- Proper Name: Lavandula Angustifolia – Zones 5-10
- Description: Lavender originated from the Mediterranean. Plants are shrubby with square stems and narrow evergreen leaves. The spikes are clusters of lavender or dark purple flowers. They usually bloom in late June and emit a pleasant scent.
- Soil Recommendations: Non acidic well drained soil
- Sunlight Requirement: Full Sunlight
- Propagation Methods: From seed or soft pruning before and during the spring.
- How to Grow Properly: Non acidic well drained soil and full sun are recommended conditions for these plants. In colder climates, cut all the dead wood out before the spring hits.
- Where to Keep Them: Keep them in clumps next to stones and as a low hedge. You can also place them onto stone walls that face away from the wind.
Peony
- Proper Name: Paeonia Species – Zones 3-7
- Description: These plants create huge 4” to 6” flowers in colors of white, rose, and yellow. Even peony foliage is extremely attractive. Peonies are shrubby plants with thick roots and large green leaves. They display large, multi pedaled flowers.
- Soil Recommendations: Rich, moist, well drained soils that contain humus are excellent building grounds for peonies.
- Sunlight Requirement: Full Sunlight
- Propagation Methods: By the division of the roots.
- How to Grow Properly: Rich, moist, well drained soils that contain humus are excellent building grounds for peonies. They need full sun and should be planted with the growing points 1.5” below the surface of the soil. It’s recommended to mulch in the first year, stake prior to blooming, and deadhead after flowering.
- Where to Keep Them: Good locations include in beds and borders. You can also keep them as specimen plants in the cutting garden.
