What are the best perennials for my garden?

Question

I want to plant a perennial that will flower from spring to fall. I would also like something that bushes and increases in size year after year. I'm planting in a partial shade area. Any suggestions?

I'm looking for something that blooms all year (spring through fall) gets bushier every year and doesn't get too tall. 12 inches is about the max height I would like to see. A little taller would be fine. Is there such a thing as a short hydrangea?

Answer 1

I have had good success with daylilies. There are several re-blooming varieties that will start in May/June in New England and keep going til mid-October.

I extend the season of bloom even farther, by doubling up on the garden space. I dig an 8 inch deep hole and plant about 5-7 daffodil bulbs. I then take the bare-root daylily , and spread the roots around the daffodils. Fill the hole half way up with dirt, then put in some small bulbs---glory of the snow, crocus, scilla, grape hyacinths, Grecian wind flowers, etc.

The bulbs begin to sprout in February, and the little ones will bloom around the first of March. Daffodils arrive mid-late March .

That is about the time that the daylilies will start peeking their leaves above the ground. Since it is necessary to allow bulb foliage to yellow so that it will provide nutrients for next year's bloom, it can frequently be unsightly.

Not so, when companion planted with daylilies! The foliage of the daylily will cover the yellowing bulb foliage.

In shadier parts of my gardens, I plant the bulbs beneath hostas---with the same delightful result.

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Answer 2

There is a dwarf hydrangea, its called Hydrangea Piamina. Flowers are mid to dark pink. Shrub only 60cm or 1 1/2 ft tall but flowers are the same size as ordinary hydrangeas. I'm in Australia so the names of the varieties sometimes change from country to country, but they definitely exist and are just as hardy as the large varieties.

If it is moist I think hydrangeas would be a good choice. It would probably be impossible to find a plant that flower for the length of time you want. Perhaps you could look a foliage colours instead of flowers for a continual effect, eg hostas.

Answer 3

First off it's hard to get a plant that blooms for 9 months of the year but here are some pretty plants

Azalea (several cultivars for different colour and size)
Hydrangea (several varieties)
Rhododenron ( lots of colours)
Skimmea(white flowers in spring red berries in fall)
Pieris(lots of varieties)
Kalmia (beautiful flowers many colours)

Answer 4

I think a Hydrangea shrub would be best. Check the nurseries immediately. Most will have end of the season sales going on now through the end of October.

Answer 5

hydrangeas sound like exactly what you want

Answer 6

It will depend on where you live and the climate zone found there.

Answer 7

I think mums are pretty and I think they grow in pretty good