Well, I finally managed to get the last of the bulbs planted this weekend. Buying over 2,000+ bulbs at 75% off sure sounded like a good idea at the time.
But having to plant 2,000 bulbs on my own, plus breaking out in a major rash twice, and being doped up on Benadryl {I’m allergic to a lot of plants/bulbs/flowers} did not exactly fair high on my gee, let’s do that again list. Oh well, the deed is done, and I am totally looking forward to cutting flowers next spring from our garden.
As I was covering the bulbs with dirt, I became aware of hundreds of mini shasta daisy starts {best perennial flower on the planet of you ask me} growing in the nearby rocks. So I decided to carefully pull the strays up out of the rocks and replant them in the dirt over the newly planted flower bulbs.
When we moved to this property about 5 years ago I brought 2 small clumps of shasta daisy plants from the garden of our old house {okay, maybe I swiped the purple coneflower plants too} and planted them in our backyard. I remember paying $2 for the packet of seeds and let me tell you, it was the best seed money I’ve ever spent.
Every summer since planting them, new ones pop up and we are able to replant the daisies throughout the property. In fact if you look closely, you’ll see 11 clumps of shasta daisies in just this one small area. Pretty darn amazing if you ask me.
I’d really like to plant a few more perennial flowers this summer, but I’m not sure which ones. All I have so far are shasta daisies, purple coneflowers and foxglove.
Do you have any suggestions?
What are your favorite perennial flowers?
~Mavis
Chantal says
Just about every perennial available in the nursery does well in our climate. I like to plant so I have continous color throughout the summer. Starting with Spring bulbs (which you have more than covered!) then peonies, lillies, hardy fuschia, lupine, hardy geraniums, hostas, and dahlias are a few that I have had lots of success with. It takes several years to get them mature enough to have your garden have the “filled in” look. Then you can divide away and trade plants with other gardeners! Happy planting 🙂
Gloria says
Scented geranium, hydrangea, Russian Sage, Sedum (any), Black-Eyed Susans, Shade: Hostas, Solomon’s Seal
Christine says
Scabiosa ‘Butterfly Blue’ bloomed year round for me last year and is still blooming this year.
Geranium ‘Rozanne’
Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ – I still don’t know if I like them because they are impossible to get rid of, but they are still blooming in my Pacific Northwest garden and it is December.
crlzmmr says
Showy Evening Primrose
http://www.americanmeadows.com/showy-evening-primrose-seeds
(some say it’s an invasive weed, but I like it)
Not sure how it would grow in your area (too wet maybe?)
indio says
How about putting in some more veggies/food? I put a medicinal herb garden last year and was quite pleased with the shoy flowers that came along with it. Calendula, hyssop, lovage, currants, lemon balm, stevia, kiwi vine can help you meet that 2000 lb target too.
Debby says
Day Lilies will multiply quite fast. I planted 1 bulb and the next year I had about 6 and this year I have quite a clump I will need to devide in the spring. Hostas also multiply quickly. I would look for plants that look good weather they are in bloom or not. Bee Balm blooms for about a month – you will need space for them, as their roots spread fast, and many varities are tall. They is great for the humming birds.
CathyB says
Good thing you don’t live near my FIL. He grew up on northern Idaho where Shasta daisies are considered invasive weeds to the farmers there. He would probably pull over and rip them out of your yard if he where driving by! I guess they can take over a field in nothing flat.
Anne F. says
These are some of my current favorites: coreopsis (aka tickseed, usually yellow, but there is a pink variety, too), bachelor buttons (blue…spreads easily and blooms twice a year in Bellevue); hellebore (aka lenten rose…easy to grow, and blooms in February!), oregano (purple flowers…the bees LOVE it), phacelia (blue, technically an annual but reseeds itself easily, bee-friendly), calendula (orange…attracts beneficial insects)
~Anne
Desi says
Delphiniums, Sedums, Galardia, Iris are some more. Flowering Almond Bush for the spring, beautiful pink blooms. I love my day lilies too, some can smell amazing. Also love the stargazer lily, best smell ever!
Desi says
Do not plant perennial Salvia, it’s beautiful but you will never be rid of it.
Laurel says
love my lavendar. It is right behind/under my porch swing and when we swing, we brush over it and it released it aromatherapy. I love to swing on that swing. It very appealing to the eye too. I also love my beebalm and hot poker sticks (they really multiply) and the birds and butterflies and honeybees love these plants. The hot poker sticks would love great along your dark fence.
Wendy says
I have got to the point where Shasta daisies are a weed. Eradication is a pain!
Mavis says
LOL. One woman’s weed is another’s flower. 🙂