Gardening and landscaping can be considered investments. Much as you would put money into a savings or retirement account for future use, plantings are there for future enjoyment. There are three levels of investment to consider for plants. The first level is the one which can give the quickest return on investment. Annuals fall into this category. Many will be blooming when you pick them up and will continue to bloom for the season. Their return is short lived since fall brings an end to the plants.
Second level plants will require a little more investment in time, but the payoff is much longer in duration. Perennials will last for years and bring a steady return with each returning growing season.
The third level is plants which may take years to reach maturity. Most trees fall into this category, with some taking a lifetime to deliver the payoff of shade, fruit, and flowers.
Careful planning of your planting will deliver the most for years to come.
Perennials make a great investment, and to make the most of your investment good initial planning will produce the most returns with the minimum maintenance. Selecting plants based on the location is the first step. Some plants prefer full sun, while others prefer partial sun and shade. Some will grow in most any soil while others need specific content to perform their best.
Plant perennials for glorious color and texture to the garden and landscape all season long
When you start gardening with perennials, it's easy to think that all you have to do is get your plants into the ground, and with the exception of weeding, watering and cutting back, your garden will be done.
But here's what really happens:
The first year – if you use small plants your new plants are underwhelming – the clumps small, the flowers sparse.
With our larger sized plants – our plants are like most second year perennials and grow fuller with more flowers the first season after planting.
But in the second and third season – watch out – your plants look like they're on steroids, and you look like an accomplished gardener.
After that, many plants get bigger each season, while the odd one confounds you by doing a disappearing act. Responding to the inevitable change is your challenge as a flower gardener.
