Perennial flower suggestions?

Question

I am putting a new flower bed in my backyard -- it will be around 60 feet long and only about 2 wide -- I will be using gravel instead of mulch -- it will be full sun to part shade running along a privacy fence. I am looking for ideas of perennials that are tall and not terrible bushy (I'd like to keep them confined in the 2 foot space). I like tall flowers as well as decorative grass. I live in Northern Kentcky, zone 6.

Any suggestions will be much appreciated thanks!

Answer 1

Go to this site linked below, even if you dont buy there, you can see what the plants will look like.

Daffodils, Iris, hollyhock, foxglove, Grass- Pampas, just to name a few, check out the bulbs section and the perrenials section.

http://michiganbulb.com/

Answer 2

You really better rethink using gravel instead of mulch. Weeds grow up through the gravel. Its much much harder to weed gravel instead of mulch. Been there and done it i'm a landscaper.
All new gardens need to be tinkered with some plants won't survive or you won't like them or they will need to be moved due to height or just not quite looking right in the location.Trying to replant or move plants to different locations with gravel down is hard the gravel will fall into your new and old planting holes..
Mulch has many ,many benefits it supresses weeds, helps retain moisture and kentucky is hot i'm sure so less watering and plants won't wilt in the heat.Gravel traps heat in... Mulch breaks down and feeds the soil each year so makes healthier soil=healthier plants. Us mulch you'll be glad you did..

Answer 3

Kniphofia:

http://bulbsociety.org/GALLERY_OF_THE_WORLDS_BULBS/GRAPHICS/Kniphofia/Kniphofia_baurii/Kniphofia_baurii.jpg

Tall Phlox:

http://www.bloomingbulb.com/XQ/ASP/ProductKey.883/bulbs.Summer%20Phlox/flower.Blue%20Paradise/parent.2425/QX/cartProductDetail.htm

Campanula:

http://shiraz.me.uk/site/directory/c/campanula.htm

Digitalis:

http://www.kuleuven-kortrijk.be/facult/wet/biologie/pb/kulakbiocampus/buiten-kulak/lage_planten/Digitalis%20purpurea%20-%20Gewoon%20vingerhoedskruid/digitalis%20purpurea-gewoon%20vingerhoedskruid-04.jpg

Hollyhocks:

http://www.library.wisc.edu/etext/WIReader/Images/WER0532.html

Perennial Sunflower:

http://www.meijer.com/gardencenter/flowers/perennials/perennial_sunflower.html

Pink Tiger lily:

http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/47651/

These are only a very few suggestions. See here for more flowers, many native to Kentucky:

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/gardenflowers/pl_list.htm

Answer 4

I love Russian Sage and Black eyed Susan. Both colorful and they do not get real bushy or big. Good Luck!

Answer 5

I love calladiums. They aren't flowers, but they have beautiful color throughout their wide leaves (light pink, dark pink, silvery green, dark green and light green). They grow out of bulbs and will come back year to year.

Answer 6

cannas are wonderful!they come in a variety of colrs as well as leaf colors!they can get up to 5ft. tall!they are so easily taken care of that they are fool proof!and they come back each year even more vibrant and beautiful!

Answer 7

coneflowers, bells of ireland, liatris, dahlias, black magic elephant ears, lilies,
Good Luck