by Pat Merewether

Created on: June 12, 2008   Last Updated: November 08, 2008

There is a saying about perennials: "The first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap!" So a bit planning and patience will produce lush, colorful rewards.

LOCATION AND SOIL PREPARATION

Location is very important. Most perennials require at least six hours of full sun per day, so consider this before choosing a site. Shade perennials are an option if you have no areas of full sun available.

Preparing the soil is easy if you start in the fall or even winter. Mark off the area where your garden will be located by a chalk line of string and stakes. Don't worry if it's covered with grass or weeds. Cover the area with eight sheets of newspaper and wet them down to keep them in place. Then place a couple of inches of compost, shredded leaves or mulch on top.

About a month before planting, spread an inch or two of composted manure over the bed and till the area either by hand or with a power tiller. I have a small Mantis tiller that does the job quite well.

Sandy Soil will require a lot of compost to add nutrients, while clay soil may require adding some sand and compost to improve drainage and give the roots an easier time to develop. Humussy loam is best, but few of us have perfect soil.

COLOR

Draw up a plan and use colored markers to see how the hues will look together. Experiment with various color schemes and combinations. I love blue and yellow together, and you'll find you prefer various colors. An all-white 'Moon Garden' is lovely. If you love bright, hot colors, consider yellows, oranges and reds. Also keep in mind the many foliage plants like Caladiums, (must be brought inside in non-tropical zones), Coleus, Hosta and Ferns that add depth and a lush quality to your perennial garden. Remember that green' is a color too.

PLANT SELECTION: Winter is a good time to read through catalogs or online gardening sites and decide which plants you prefer. I've gradually created a perennial bed that has something in bloom from March through October. I live in the north, zone 5, so consider your climate when choosing your plants.

Spring; crocus, snow glories, some varieties of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. Hellebores bloom very early, sometime when there is still snow on the ground.

Early Summer: Digitalis, Lilies, Daisies, phlox, roses.

Mid-Summer: Perennial Sunflowers, Coreopsis, Lilies, Roses, Phlox, Purple Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan's.

Late Summer-Early Fall: Butterfly Bush, Mums, Phlox (bloom all summer), Anemone, Gooseneck Loosestrife,

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