Perennials — Versatile Elements of the Garden
April 2002 Volume 15, No. 1

The perennial garden as we know it is a relatively new concept. Originally, perennials were allocated to the kitchen garden at the back of the house. Gertrude Jekyll, a British garden
designer, is responsible for bringing perennials out into the open. She created splendid border gardens composed solely of perennials. Careful attention was given to flower color, bloom time, and height. Plant species were planted in great quantities for an intense effect.

Several years later another British gardener, Alan Bloom, introduced the concept of “island beds,” which require planning and knowledge because they are viewed from all sides.
Both these garden styles are still popular today and are easily incorporated into the modern landscape. They are fun to design since the globalization of plant propagation makes for endless choices and combinations. At the Nursery we grow over 170 species of perennials, with multiple varieties of those species.

Perennials, being highly adaptable, are logical elements to reconfigure as we recreate our landscapes. The great diversity within the perennial classification encourages us to utilize them in many garden settings.

For a parade of color from spring to frost, plant a variety of perennials. Consider also the many interesting flower shapes to choose from — cups, sprays, plumes, globes, bowls, stars, buttons, bells, single- and multi-petals.

If you are incorporating perennials into a shrub garden you need to consider the tremendous choices you have in leaf as well as flower color. Differences in the color green are subtle and can be used with great success.

Perennials grow in a huge range of heights and widths. Ground-hugging plants such as thymes, veronicas and cerastium easily fill in gaps between stepping stones. Saponaria will soften a stone wall when planted so it cascades over parts of it. A planting of candytuft,
lamium, moneywort or other creeper will create an instant carpet while groupings of large-leafed hosta or aruncus fill enough space to create a hedge.

When a single variety is planted en masse it acts as a frame. For example, planting nepeta mussini all around a rose garden makes the rose stand out more than if it were planted alone.

Perennials are herbacious plants that live for at least three years. They die back completely each winter and unfurl fresh growth from their crown each spring. Easy to grow, they quickly become permanent fixtures in the garden.