Figuring out which perennials will take a little research and planning on your part. But trust me; it will be well worth it in the long run. Perennials flower at different times of the season, so the key is planning, so there is a constant rotation of color and bloom. (Note: Some perennials which may flower once a year can be enticed to flower again with pruning and deadheading.
Starting Point
Places such as parks, local gardens, Cincinnati Botanical Garden and Zoo, and Natorp’s Nursery Outlet are great places to see perennials in action.
Plan Before You Plant!
Plan for:
- Season long colors
- Heights
- Widths
- Consider sunlight / shade
- Types of soil
- Our zone (6) for hardiness
- Amount of maintenance you want to be involved with (yes, perennials do require different levels of maintenance including deadheading, pruning, winter cleanup, feeding, watering, etc.)
- Any wildlife issues
A little homework goes a long way in planning your perennial plantings, but it will be well worth it in the years to come. Be sure to use the Natorp's Free Perennial Planting Guide to help you with your perennial planning. If you still have questions, just ask!
Don’t forget to take a look at the Perennial Plant Association’s perennial of the year. You may recognize some of them: Palace Purple Coral Bells – Russian Sage – May Night Salvia –Becky Shasta Daisy – Rozanne Geranium – and Asclepias tuberosa ‘Butterfly Weed’.