Perennials
Our definition of perennials is "if it lives, it comes back". Generally, they are tough enough to come back year after year. However, not all of them will last forever. They seem to thrive in a variety of conditions for several years and then, for some reason, just die out.
Some of these plants are past down from generation to generation. These types of plants are called pass along plants. The seeds collected from them are considered heirloom seeds. These are some of the most treasured plants for garden enthusiast because they have been proven to be from good stock and will most likely last a long time. Perennials, along with annuals, biannuals, woody shrubs, and grasses are what gardens are made of. All of these elements combine to provide the texture, form, and color of your garden. Where should you get your perennials? It is always best to buy most of your plants from your local garden center or landscape contractor whenever possible. This way, you can ask questions and actually see the plant before you ever invest a dime. If you encounter problems during the growing season, your local expert is there to help. If you find that your local garden center or contractor does not have a wide selection of what you're looking for, you may need to check
online catalogs
for sources in order to find what you want. Nursery's and garden centers will not be able to offer you 50 different variates of roses or thyme because of space limitations. Speaking of roses, if you love them, be sure to visit
www.rose-works.com
This is an excellent web site which has information about roses, growing roses, and the cultivation of roses. Visit our
store
for books on all aspects of gardening.
Don't know a thing about perennials? You may be able to find some fun plants to try that aren't available at your local garden center. These web sites and catalogs are a wealth of information and have gorgeous pictures. Try not to get sucked in too much by the pictures alone though. These pictures can be a little deceiving. You must know what
hardiness zone
you are in in order for your plants to do well. Buying plants online and in catalogs
When buying plants online or from catalogs, we recommend buying gallon size plants if possible. Bare root (no soil) or cell packs are a little bit harder to transplant once they arrive. Often times the cell pack plants look barely alive when you get them, but please don't despair. With a little extra love and attention these plants will be fine. If you do get one of these smaller cell pack sizes, it's important to acclimate the plant to your area first. To do this, place the plant outside in a protected area for about three days before you plant it.
What to do if you do order a bare root plant
Bare-root-plants should be put in a special propagation area and grown for a year before they are put into your regular garden. Many times gardeners put them directly into the garden. It's just too easy to forget them if you do this.Your plant will be shipped with peat moss around the root and placed in a plastic bag to retain moisture. Instructions for their care is included in the shipping package. See our transplanting area if you are planning on
transplanting a bare root tree
Books are another way to learn about these wonderful plants is through books. We have stacks of gardening books on a variety of subjects. These books can be on specific plant varieties like hostas or roses, or general books with great pictures of other gardens that you can use for inspiration. Check out our
book
section for our recommended reading list, or browse our
store
for a variety of books with invaluable information.
Types of Perennials
Mid-South gardeners all have their favorite tried and true favorites. We can always count on daylilies, lambs ear, and the cheerful daisy. With our mobile society, many people wonder if their favorite perennial will survive our heat and humidity.Perennials can be divided up into categories according to their light and soil preferences, and what time of year they bloom. We will be covering all of these varieties extensively in this web site in the months to come.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Full Sun Perennials
Shade Loving Perennials
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