Flower Gardening
Create a Perennial Garden
Perennial gardens can provide years of enjoyment
If you think that flower gardens look great but are too much work, there's an option to consider. A perennial garden is full of showy flowers that come back for repeat performances, year after year. They're low-maintenance and attract birds and butterflies. Better yet, they give you good value on the dollar since they keep multiplying.
Site Selection
You want to be able to get at your perennial garden from at least two sides. Good areas for perennials are by patios, fences, or along the house. Since most perennials love sun, pick areas that get up to 10 hours of light a day in peak summer. Some perennials, like hostas, thrive in the shade, so check the plant tag before buying.
Choose Plants You'll Want Around for a Long Time
It's worth spending some time looking through books and magazines to see what plants you like best before you make a purchase. Perennials live a long time, so be happy with your decisions. Think about height, color, fragrance, and placement as you design your garden.
Prepare Your Soil
In general, your soil should be loose and crumbly, and provide good drainage. You can amend it by adding one inch of Miracle-Gro® Nursery Select™ Annuals & Perennials Garden Soil 0.15 - 0.05 - 0.10 or Miracle-Gro® Organic Choice™ Garden Soil 0.10 - 0.05 - 0.10. Make sure you remove weeds, since they look ugly and compete for water and nutrients.
Planting
Springtime is great for planting perennials. Your plants usually come with planting directions when you buy them. Water them well to help them establish, and see if the soil settles. If it does, just fill in holes or spaces with more garden soil.
Maintenance
You're off the hook in the maintenance department. Your perennials can pretty much take care of themselves. You can get them started well by sprinkling a slow-release plant food, such as Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed™ Multi-Purpose Slow Release Plant Food 10-10-10 when you plant. You can also mulch to keep weeds out and moisture in. Bugs can occasionally attack perennials. When that happens, control them with Scotts® EcoSense Insecticidal Soap Ready-to-Use. If your weather turns dry, give your perennials some water, especially if they're wilting. Over time, some of your perennials may need to be divided to prevent overcrowding. Otherwise, that's all you have to do to enjoy beautiful colors all season long.
