Perennials or Annual flowers.... Which do you plant. looking for suggestions for a new garden bed.

[Suger Mag]

What kind of plants do you do in your gardens?

I am zone 5 (western Mass) and have always done annuals, but I have been really getting into doing some perennials the last couple of years.... love the coming back every year aspect.

Got a new big garden bed I am planning out... will be at the base of my driveway so the first thing you see as you come in down a long drive through the woods. It is sloped and about 15 feet long. I want to do some flowering bushes as the backdrop. I got my harbinger of spring... the forsythia (2 nice bushes to plant), and I would love a late summer/fall flowering bush... along the same size as the forsythia to go in between them ... was thinking a 'peegee' hydrangea (H. paniculataform).

Any suggestions for bushes and perennials. I will leave a border in the front for the annuals (can't beat that color pop)

 

[_19disnA]

Some local garden centers will do a free landscape drawing if you intend to buy some of the shrubs/plants from them. If it is a large area, I always find getting some advice from landscape pros turns out way better then just planting random shrubs/plants/flowers. You might also walk around local garden centers to get an idea of the flowers which are popular and do well in your area. We had a few hydrangea and found you needed to constantly water them in hot weather or they wilt which got to be annoying. Perhaps they do better in shaded spots.

When we lived in the midwest, we found that most of the colorful flowers tend to be annuals. Things like geraniums, begonias or impatiens tend to bloom all summer and come in a variety of colors. However, impatiens need a LOT of water in hot weather. Petunias are very colorful but high maintenance since you have to constantly snip off the dead flowers. We never found any type of blooming perennials that we like and most tend to look like wild flowers. Most blooming bushes only have flowers for a couple of weeks and then are just leafy shrubs the rest of the time. Some people like daylily and then tend to be easy to grow. Canna plants come in a variety of colors and heights, but in your part of the country you will need to dig up/store the bulbs in the fall or plant new ones every spring, since they will rot in the winter with the snow/cold. Perennial grass plants come in a variety of colors and heights. They are hardy, low maintenance and get full grown in one year. One issue with planting a new area is people tend to jam too many plants close together to fill up the area. In 2-3 years as they grow, it tends to look overcrowded. Make sure to consider the height/spread of various plants after a few growing seasons.

Is the area full sun, part sun or shady? Makes a big difference on which flowers will do best. Do you have any issues with wildlife eating the flowers? We have lived in areas with lots of deer and rabbits which made it nearly impossible to have most annual flowers since they would constantly eat them.

 

[unrequited23]

I'm a zone 5 too but we have a ton of deer. I've been purchasing from a semi-local plant nursery (bluestone perennials.) They have an online store, but if you go in person the prices are discounted. They have an option for planned gardens that incorporate your needs, shade, sun, deer resistant, butterfly attracting, etc.

I suggest you search for a nursery within driving distance and see what planned gardens they offer. This year we added a russian sage (perovskia) to our front beds for some purple in midsummer-early fall.

 

[VandVsmama]

What kind of plants do you do in your gardens?

I am zone 5 (western Mass) and have always done annuals, but I have been really getting into doing some perennials the last couple of years.... love the coming back every year aspect.

Got a new big garden bed I am planning out... will be at the base of my driveway so the first thing you see as you come in down a long drive through the woods. It is sloped and about 15 feet long. I want to do some flowering bushes as the backdrop. I got my harbinger of spring... the forsythia (2 nice bushes to plant), and I would love a late summer/fall flowering bush... along the same size as the forsythia to go in between them ... was thinking a 'peegee' hydrangea (H. paniculataform).

Any suggestions for bushes and perennials. I will leave a border in the front for the annuals (can't beat that color pop)

Find a local botanical garden. Go there for ideas and inspiration for plant combos. Plants native to your area will be better able to handle the growing conditions in your neck of the woods.

 

[evilmommie]

I’m an avid gardener and this makes me so excited for you! Any new, fresh patch of dirt is a real turn on to us plant ladies. Hahaha!

I agree with the other suggestions about going to your local nursery and getting advice on the best combo of perennials annuals. You want them to play well together, ie need the same type of soil, watering methods and sun/shade requirements.

Are there plants in your neighbors yards that look good or local areas? Sometimes I will ask what is growing around the neighborhood and see what their tips are on the plant and keeping it healthy. Local garden clubs will give great advice as well.

I would make recommendations but I live in Zone 9, So Cal area. Very different from MA!
Have fun & happy gardening!

 

[NFLDERS]

Maybe include Red Poppies..

 

[SandyinMonterey]

WE planted day lillies two years ago that we have in large pots surrounding our in ground pool and they've done very well and are beautiful year after year. We've also plants many azaleas (Encore) and they've also done well. We planted them at either side of the foot of our driveway. One side has water access devices, wiring, etc and the other side is our mailbox area. I just told my husband yesterday that I an so happy with the gardenias and hydrangeas this year. Our gardenias have done very well this year and are in full bloom and we got a lot, same with hydrangeas.

 

[auntfrannie]

You might want to see if there are any neighbors in your area that are into gardening. I am always looking for ways to share my plants when I divide the perennials. I'm in PA so not much use to you from that perspective. I've found that perennial geraniums and bearded irises multiply quickly. Hostas too, but the deer love to eat them. Also, daffodils are great because they're an early splash of color that also multiply over the years.

I also love dahlias but they involve a bit more work because you have to dig them up each fall. But they also multiply quickly by the end of the year so the following spring you will have many more tubers to plant.

I also like flowers that self-seed like columbine.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Boopuff]

I live in the steppe desert in CO. It's very hard to find stuff that loves the sun, little water.... cactus do well for me, and petunias do well so I use those for some color. I have daylillys in the front for color. Hanging baskets, I use vinca vine, the wave petunias. We have lots of ornamental grasses, and xeroscaping (which is whole bunch of pita on another level)

 

[barkley]

i'm in a zone 6. while it won't provide flowers if you want some plants that will provide 'filler' and spread over the years you could go with some perennial herbs. they tend to be hardy, the deer (at least around here) don't like to nosh on them, and you end up with fresh herbs (so much tastier than the dried stuff). we also put in strawberries-the birds tend to get the fruit before we do but the flowers are a lovely low profile and when the leaves change color in the fall it's quite pretty.

 

[Suger Mag]

so it gets good sun, but not full full all the time.... a good 6 or so ... now looking at maybe an Oakleaf Hydrangea.... got some day lillies to go down below in the scrub

 

[leebee]

We're in Maine, so similar climate. The garden along the driveway is pretty shady. I have found daffodils, day lilies, hosta, astilbe, daisies, bleeding heart/solomon's slipper (actually bought the BH but they came up as SS), and those orange lilies that grow wildly along the roadsides all do well there and come back every year. I'll also sometimes plant impatiens as it likes the shade, but they need to be planted annually. The circular garden around a tree needs frequent watering. We have crocus, grape hyacinths, hyacinths, iris (dutch? Not bearded), day lilies, asiatic/oriental lilies, lupine, chives, that all seem to come back pretty well. Oh and there is lily of the valley in both gardens, grows like a weed and will pretty much take over everything. The front garden under the window is still in the "establishment" stage. Last year we planted 4 azalea bushes and all survived the winter, and two had flowers this spring. We also have grecian wind flowers, crocus, grape hyacinths, daffodils, and lupine in this garden so far. Sometimes I plant pansies (usually I remember to do this too late) and we have 2 plants that "came back" this spring. We also have a bunch of petunias, because they seem to grow like crazy here and give us color all summer. I've never deadheaded them, didn't know you had to. I deadhead all the flowers from the bulb-plantings as the wilt, and cut back the leaves/greenery when it starts to yellow.

I honestly have NO IDEA what I am doing with any of this. I just order/buy bulbs (cheap ones), plant them, and see what comes up the next year, then fill in the bare spots with whatever annuals are available, affordable, and colorful. Sometimes it looks a little barren, sometimes wildly overgrown (I'm looking at you, daisies!), but we like it and it doesn't take much to maintain.

 

[1GoldenSun]

I have a love/hate relationship with flowers. I love them; they hate me. Anything I plant commits almost immediate suicide.

I only plant annuals so at least I can say that it wasn't me; it was just their time to go. If I plant perennials, they behave like annuals.

Not to hijack, but does anyone know what to do about a potted tomato plant in which all the bottom leaves (and many of the stems) are turning brown? The top part of the plant is still green and it's still producing tomatoes but I fear it's not long for this world.

I also have a small potted bamboo house plant that was great for a few years but is slowly turning brown and dying. I moved it outside in hopes of saving it but I'm losing hope.

It doesn't help that I live in south Florida. I'm not sure what the official zone is but I think it's something like the 7th Level of Hades.

I love the photos some of you have shared--it's nice to live vicariously through others' gardens even if I can't keep one alive myself! OP, post some photos when you're done!

 

[evilmommie]

I have a love/hate relationship with flowers. I love them; they hate me. Anything I plant commits almost immediate suicide.

I only plant annuals so at least I can say that it wasn't me; it was just their time to go. If I plant perennials, they behave like annuals.

Not to hijack, but does anyone know what to do about a potted tomato plant in which all the bottom leaves (and many of the stems) are turning brown? The top part of the plant is still green and it's still producing tomatoes but I fear it's not long for this world.

I also have a small potted bamboo house plant that was great for a few years but is slowly turning brown and dying. I moved it outside in hopes of saving it but I'm losing hope.

It doesn't help that I live in south Florida. I'm not sure what the official zone is but I think it's something like the 7th Level of Hades.

I love the photos some of you have shared--it's nice to live vicariously through others' gardens even if I can't keep one alive myself! OP, post some photos when you're done!

Might be root rot on your tomato plant. Hard to comeback from that. Aerate the soil gently with your hands, let it dry out. The roots aren't delivering water, nutrients and oxygen to the branches.

 

[1GoldenSun]

Might be root rot on your tomato plant. Hard to comeback from that. Aerate the soil gently with your hands, let it dry out. The roots aren't delivering water, nutrients and oxygen to the branches.

Thanks! The only thing I know to do to plants is water them, so I may have a tendency to over-water. And the sicker they look, the more I water. This may be a bad idea.

 

[_19disnA]

My guess on the tomato plant issue is overwatering. When you first plant them it is always a good idea to use good soil with peat moss or other additives to promote drainage, especially if you have soil that isn't very good. You didn't say, but most vegetable do best in the ground instead of in pots. The roots can travel further and seek their own moisture so they don't dry out as fast.

 

[evilmommie]

Thanks! The only thing I know to do to plants is water them, so I may have a tendency to over-water. And the sicker they look, the more I water. This may be a bad idea.

Yes, root rot is due to overwatering. Give him a break to dry out. I’d even add some new soil, after it drys out. Kellogg’s organic mix (pink bag) for containers is a great soil for potted plants. I learned that from my Disneyland Horticulture CM friend. He’s been giving me a lot of their tips and tricks.

Sorry for derailing, OP! Let us know what you choose for your new patch. It’s a lovely spot.

 

[DisneyDillyDally]

What kind of plants do you do in your gardens?

I am zone 5 (western Mass) and have always done annuals, but I have been really getting into doing some perennials the last couple of years.... love the coming back every year aspect.

Got a new big garden bed I am planning out... will be at the base of my driveway so the first thing you see as you come in down a long drive through the woods. It is sloped and about 15 feet long. I want to do some flowering bushes as the backdrop. I got my harbinger of spring... the forsythia (2 nice bushes to plant), and I would love a late summer/fall flowering bush... along the same size as the forsythia to go in between them ... was thinking a 'peegee' hydrangea (H. paniculataform).

Any suggestions for bushes and perennials. I will leave a border in the front for the annuals (can't beat that color pop)

Are you on Facebook? There may be a gardening group for your town/state that would be helpful.

 

[sheilafri]

I saw this yesterday in Minneapolis so should be a similar zone. It has variegated Iris and Liriope, burgundy Heuchera, and other perennials. After discovering hostas I realized that foliage can provide great color so my vote is go with perennials. PS you can find Sun tolerant hostas.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Our garden is mostly perennial but we do have annuals for filling in places. Oh, and vegetables. We are in 6A.

Ironically, the south side of our property is the shady side due to the trees in the back of the house, so we have a shady "woodland" garden back there, and the front and side are all to part sun.




There are also tender perennials that we have to lift and replant, and then there are tulips, which never, ever, ever come back for us.