3 Top Performing Perennials

When it comes to long lasting color in the garden, perennial flowers can’t be beat. Perennials are flowers and grasses that return year after year. They require some basic maintenance (see below) but are otherwise happy to bloom and grow for many seasons to come. The three perennials below are some of my favorites. They attain their full size quickly, have a long bloom period, and adapt readily to our poor soil and exposed conditions.

 Catmint. This beautiful perennial sends up lovely blue spikes all summer and into fall. It attains full size by its second year and resembles a small shrub more than a perennial (about 30 inches tall and wide). It may need to be trimmed in July to promote rebloom.

Coreopsis. An abundance of bright yellow flowers float over mounds of green leaves. These plants are tough and like a hot, dry spot. Coreopsis will also flower from early summer into fall. Removing spent blossoms will promote a longer bloom time. It reaches a height of 24 inches and sends up volunteer seedlings each year.  Avoid “rosea” and “verticillata” varieties, as they dislike clay soil.

Jupiter’s Beard. This rose-red flowering powerhouse is underused in our area. It has achieved star status in the sunny areas of my yard because of its easy-growing, free-flowering nature. It attains its two-foot tall stature quickly and will self-seed to fill in. Flowers from June to frost.

All of these perennials will complement each other nicely in any sunny spot. Plant them about 18 inches apart and dress the bed with mulch. Then, sit back and enjoy your endless display of color and by all means, cut some and bring the joy inside!

Perennial Maintenance.Perennials need a few things to look their best. In late winter, most perennials need to be cut back to within a few inches of the ground, as they all bloom on new spring growth. When new growth begins, apply a balanced fertilizer (i.e., 10-10-10). Lastly, as flowers fade, remove them. Trimming will keep the plant looking tidy and, in many cases, encourage more blooms.