Gaura combination planting

What is a Perennial?

What is the difference between an annual and a perennial?  Some perennials are evergreen all year and flower for long periods.  Other perennials have a time where they appear to die in the winter, when the temperatures drops, but they’re actually hibernating.  Beneath that dead-looking clump of stems, leaves and blooms are hardy roots that will produce a new plant come spring. Pruning these stems away will produce lovely new grow and a plant which flowers for months on end. Annuals last one season and die; therefore a gardener must replace these plants on an ongoing basis.

Traditional cottage style plants or perennials are exciting plants which bring an abundance of flowers to gardens for all seasons. Many gardeners consider perennials hard work but this isn’t necessarily true as all plants respond to regular maintenance. Many perennials need a small amount of attention throughout the year and they respond by giving you a beautiful floral/foliage display.

Bring back the birds, butterflies and bees.

Planting a garden is great for the environment and can encourage nature back into your backyard. Birds, butterflies and bees are attracted to a garden with flowering plants and you would be surprised who might drop in! Planting a perennial border gives you traditional charm whilst giving the birds a great place to nest. Many perennials are also wonderful for their scented flowers or foliage and also make beautiful cut flowers in the home. The butterflies and bees need food which a perennial garden provides.

Perennial Border

New Garden Design

When considering new plantings or designing new garden beds, colour can certainly be important. Gardeners often mix and match different colours to achieve a certain feel or look. The individual colours themselves are not so important, but how those colours are used together. Similar colours planted together can achieve a sense of harmony and can result in a soothing feel to the garden. Contrasting colours can be dramatic and can create a sense of drama. It is also worth considering the colour of your house or fence when selecting the colours for your garden. Decide on an overall colour before selecting your plants. It is also important to know the growing conditions of your garden and also the eventual height and shape your new plants will attain