How to Choose Perennials
What to choose on your visit to the nursery? Don't be overwhelmed - following just a few simple principles will turn even a novice gardener into an instant pro!

1. Choose plants by sun exposure.

Think of the amount of sun or shade your garden gets, and choose your plants accordingly. You can control most other variables, like soil type, moisture, and fertility – if you are willing to do some work – but you can’t easily modify the amount of sun a plant will get. Plants look their best when they are happy where they are planted.

2. Buy some plants that are not blooming.

Most perennials bloom for only a few weeks, then they’re done for the season. But don’t despair – as long as you plant several varieties of plants in your garden, you are bound to get a wide range of bloom times. You can increase the chances of this happening by buying some plants that are not in bloom during your nursery visit. If you want to, buy one or two varieties of plants that bloom all summer, to carry your garden through any “slow” times. But stay away from a garden that only contains these all-summer-bloomers – one of the best things about perennial gardens is that they are constantly changing all throughout the season!

3. Go for great foliage.

See #2, above. When it comes right down to it, you’re going to be looking at a plant’s foliage – not its flowers - for most of the season. So, choose plants with great foliage. Foliage adds structure, color, and texture to the garden, and should be considered just as much as the flowers. Whenever possible, plant varieties with different foliage colors or textures (small, dainty leaves and big, bold leaves; chartreuse colors and dark colors, etc.) near each other to make your garden interesting even when plants are not in bloom.

4. Buy in multiples of 3.

Most perennials look better in masses or drifts. Avoid buying just 1 of a plant unless you know it’s going to be a specimen plant in a particular location. Planting in odd numbers looks more natural in a garden setting.

5. Add some ornamental grasses.

Grasses add movement, fall and winter interest, and beautiful textural contrast to broad-leaved plants. Gardens get better when you add ornamental grasses! And, contrary to popular belief, there are many varieties of grasses or sedges that do well in the shade.