My Tips On Adding Perennials To Your Garden
With many perennials it seems to take a full three years to begin to take hold and bloom exuberantly. At least that is my experience.
Like my white clematis. Every year the amount of blooms at any one time has increased.
However the Lamb’s Ear above took only one year to gain traction. I purchased a gallon container of it last year at Southwoods, and it is at least four times its original size just one year later.
I learned my lesson with Lamb’s Ear. In the past I always bought a smaller container of it and it never came back after winter.
Last year when I bought the bigger size I imagine the roots were more firmly established. And so the plant took off quickly.
Lesson learned. Go for the bigger size with perennials. Especially when you garden in containers. For containers don’t provide as much protection come winter than plants in the ground.
This year I purchased yarrow in the bigger container to add to my perennials.
Yarrow is pest-resistant, drought-resistant, it attracts butterflies, and is excellent for cutting and drying. This particular yarrow will have yellow blooms.
The plant is also an aromatic herb which has many healing properties. From what I’ve read, Yarrow is considered fairly maintenance free.
I’ve had my yellow rose bush for three to four years. And this year there are more yellow roses at this point in the season than there were last year.
It’s become really big while in the largest container in my garden.
I don’t even know if I can find a pot bigger than this one, which is 24 inches round.
I also added two gallon containers of the same type of salvia to my garden this year. I’m hoping the salvia will come back and attract butterflies for years to come.
I also added two containers of daisies to the blue garden bed.
And one daisy came back in the galvanized containers from last year to my delight. It hasn’t produced blooms yet this year.
You can see it peeking through the other plants below.
I also added a Rock ‘N Grow Bundle Of Joy Stonecrop Sedum to my container gardens. You can see it below on the far left bottom side of the photo next to the lavender verbena.
Unfortunately the Sedum Autumn Joy I’ve had for six years was taken over by pests. And it was always so healthy. But these things happen.
So I added this sedum to my garden. Maybe one day I’ll come across Sedum Autumn Joy again, but I didn’t see it at the nursery this year.
This plant will burst into color for fall interest. During cold winter months, this plant will still provide color to the landscape.
I think I’ve covered all the perennials I introduced to my patio garden this year.
I always learn best by trial and error, regardless of how many gardening articles I read. I hope my tips will help you with adding perennials to your own garden space.
I love perennials, but unfortunately I don’t have anywhere to plant them now. Enjoy seeing yours. xo Laura
Gosh, your yellow rose is sooo beautiful, Brenda! My roses are sprouting little branches but it’s too early for blooms, yet. I can’t wait, though.
To Bonnie, above: I have had the same trouble with hollyhocks. Last Fall I planted a whole row of them next to my garage and not a one has come up. I, too, remember them from my childhood growing behind my grandparents’ garage in pretty gravelly soil and flourishing. I love them and want so badly to grow them. Guess it’s time to do some research.
Brenda, thanks for the lovely photos today and keep the growing tips coming!
Last year I planted Holly Hock seeds, and read that they will (should) come up the following year, which should be this year, I am hoping. I have had trouble getting them to grow for the last 10 years. It seems, when I was a child, they would even pop up in a crack in the sidewalk. My Mother had them on the side of the house, when I was growing up, and I remember making flower dolls out of them. I love the old fashion look of them, and the memories they bring back. Those and my Lily of the Valley and my Lilac bush. At least they both are still coming back year after year. I can’t wait to start my small flower patch, last night we had frost on the roof, so still too early here to put anything out. Your patio is a Dream!! Hugs from WI
Enjoying myself In your beautiful and peaceful garden.
Thanks for info re: yellow rose is in large container.
One is closer to God in a .garden than an.y where else ~unknown
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Is Lamb’s Ear edible? It all looks just super already, Brenda!!
If you ever see Black & Blue Salvia at you garden center you might want to try some. Hummingbirds love it. I have it across the front of my house and the Hummingbirds come back to it every year.
Your garden is lovely. An elderly friend/gardener told me years ago about perennials is: first year they sleep, second year they creep and third year they leap! Patience in the garden is always well rewarded
Sounds true to me!
There is an old saying…”First year they sleep, second year they creep and third year they leap!”
It is usually true…your patio looks great!
Love the garden pics, Brenda.
May I ask what plant is in the last picture in the green planter? It kind of looks like a succulent, very pretty. What is it called?
I mention it a few paragraphs above. It is Rock ‘N Grow Bundle Of Joy Stonecrop Sedum
I am a new follower to your blog and thoroughly enjoying your gardening expertise.
Now I think it’s the week to acquire Lamb’s Ear. 🙂
Thanks for sharing so consistently and optimistically,
joan
P.S. Just beginning to share my blog and reinventing the site.
Nurseries often sell the Sedum Autumn Joy in the fall when in bloom so you
may want to look for it then. Love your patio garden!
Your garden is so beautiful any tips on what to do when our summer and fall is over and our winter’s are sometimes 40 degrees below here in Canada ? You have some great tips to share.
I really have no idea how to deal with temps like that. If I was you I would do some research on your locale in terms of gardening.
I have daisies in a galvanized tub in my yard and they have been coming up every spring for five years. I also have a Salvia plant in my garden that my granddaughter gave me about four years ago, I think they’re so pretty ! I have several plants in the garden that my husband’s aunt planted when she had the house, that I am not sure what they are called ! My mother-in-law for some reason, had her own name for certain plants. I would ask her what the name of the plants were and then I would find out from other people it was called something else!
Your patio garden is dreamy. I love all the color and variety you do out there. I bet it is so great to see the butterflies. Enjoy.
Kris
Beautiful garden!