How to Plant a Perennial Flower Garden
Take advantage of plant life cycles and learn how to plant a perennial flower garden. Perennials come back each spring and most types will not require replanting for several years. Spend a little time researching perennial flowers to learn which will do best in your area and have a glorious perennial flower garden for many years to come.
Choose the best location in your yard for a perennial flower garden. Consider soil conditions and available sunlight. Select soil that drains well or plan to add compost and soil amendments. You need about six hours or more of sunshine daily. Look for a location with the least amount of wind.
Research perennial flowers online or at the library to learn about each variety, soil and sunshine requirements, when to plant and how high and wide they will grow. Check what planting zone they thrive in and make sure you are within that zone.
Plan out plots of color groups through out the garden bed on paper. Roughly, draw out the entire perennial flower garden and put in the names of each flower variety you wish to plant. For each variety or color plant about a half a dozen in one area to make a good color showing. Depending upon the size of the entire garden, you will want to plant six to eight different varieties or colors in spots through out the garden. Plant ferns or hostas for a splash of green color in between flower varieties. This will assure you of brilliant color and an eye-catching display.
Consider that not all flowers will be blooming at the same time. By selecting flower varieties carefully you can make sure that you always have some fresh color with another variety of blooms on the way. Perennial bulbs come up each spring and multiply each year with more bulbs. Plant bulbs in the back for bright early spring color and other perennials in front for color later in the summer.
- Grab your shovel and begin digging and preparing your perennial flower garden. Begin planting each variety in stages according to time frames indicated on the seed or bulb packages. Jump start your garden by purchasing spring perennial seedlings from the nursery.