Perennials

Flower-planting folks develop a love and hate relationship with Stella Doro. Sure, it needs a degree of coaxing to bloom, especially in the blisteringly hot weather, but it's still pretty to look at. The yellow blooms, however, die off and leave nothing but the green when the summer-fall season is over. Flower planters confess there are far better perennials out there than the Stella Doro. They'd suggest Mary Todd or Hyperion. This is such a huge injustice on Stella.

At some point, I have begun to love this perennial. It did cause me some migraine, though. I had to deadhead the old stems to give way to new ones. They are supposed to be ever-blooming daylilies so I presumed they would really bloom more often than not. Stella Doro has been advertised a great deal on most flower magazines, and I was impressed with how it looked - a golden yellow lily that could brighten a garden when in full bloom. But the process of deadheading is always a tedious one.

If you've developed a hate relationship with Stella Doro, fine with me. Some people just put the flowers in the compost because taking care of it was too consuming. Also, in the hot season, they're too stubborn to bear any beautiful bud. If you adore this perennial, you might as well learn how to deadhead quickly and apply fertilizer. A few more weeks, the flowers will begin to sprout. I don't believe in a perennial that blooms without being taken care of, at least even by Mother Nature.

Dividing perennials and digging up some of your favorite plants and cutting them into smaller pieces are some of the toughest jobs which you must do. Plants are rejuvenated through division. Some perennials die back or get old and woody in the middle and have fewer flowers after growing for several years. When you see a donut, a dead spot in the middle and active growth around the outside, it means that the plant needs to be divided. It is a good way to control the size of perennial clumps that get too big or outgrow their spots. It is also a way of multiplying your plants as one perennial clump can be separated into four or five new plants, allowing for bigger groupings and more garden design punch.

You can do this in early spring or early fall as the general rule is to divide plants that bloom in mid- to late summer in spring, and early-season bloomers in fall. Some early-spring bloomers are best divided right after they flower so they will establish again strong enough to flower again the following spring, like creeping phlox, Jacob's ladder, pulmonaria, primrose and rock cress. But many gardeners do it in spring to gain an entire season of growth and have stronger plants before winter comes.

The Mentha Piperita also known as the Peppermint plant which grows mostly during the spring grows up to 2-3 feet tall. It produces flowering spikes which makes it a favorite landscaping plant. Besides the beauty that it extols the peppermint plant also has medicinal and culinary uses. But before I go to that let me first familiarize you with the plant's descriptions.

This plant is a perennial that has a hard stalk and a moss green-colored leaves. The lilac-colored flowers bloom during the summer until around late July, they however become dormant during the winter months so it is better to grow them in green houses during this period. The peppermint plant is known for releasing a soothing aroma of peppermint, a characteristic odor of most peppermint plant varieties. This is due to a volatile oil existing in all the parts of the plant.

The peppermint is a beneficial plant that proves its use in medicinal and culinary purposes. The oil extracted from peppermint has a potent anti-spasmodic action that can abate pains especially in the alimentary canal area. Peppermint tea is a very good soother for the stomach. On the other hand, the distinct flavor of the peppermint makes it a good flavoring agent that can be added to beverages and the dry leaves can be a welcoming taste in hot teas. Likewise, peppermint can also give a new twist to new potatoes and fruit salads. It can also be used to add aromatic flavor to sauces for certain dishes.

Planting perennial plants are easier than most of you would expect it to be. Of course, you still need to lift a finger when dealing with perennial plants. When you do everything the right way, you'd be sure to see a very beautiful yard because of your perennial plant expertise.

Besides the weeding, the carefully planted fertilizers, and the scheduled watering, your perennials also need mulching. Of course, after strategically placing your perennial flowers under the nurturing sun's rays, you can already start your mulching process. Now, what can mulch do for your lovely perennials? Well, it would preserve the moisture that is coming from the soil.

It would also make your perennial garden look spic and span. Plant mulching would also maintain the soil's temperature and it would intervene with the fast weed growth around your perennials. You can use barks of trees, grass clippings that are already dry, and other hull materials. The right way to place your mulches is just beside the perennial crowns. Do not directly apply it on the crown rots. Also, make sure that you do not go beyond an inch or two when you mulch. You just have to wait for the right time for a perfect mulching activity so as not to ruin your blossoming plants.

Four years ago, a family friend, in exchange of a favor my mother has done for him, gave us a peculiar looking plant that he called neem tree. At first, I thought it was just an ordinary wood used in a house plan. Until one day, when its flower started blossoming, I noticed the sweet mild scent it produces. The flowers, though very small, grow in aggregates, and are noticeable even from afar. Contrary to its fragrant smell, its leaves and bark taste bitter. Neem tree is actually a medicinal plant, and its flower plays the major role.

Neem is found in almost all parts of Asia. But, the origin of its healing powers can not be traced. Anyway, its flowers bloom in January until May, and in August until September. They open during night time, so maybe that is the reason why few people notice them. Honey can also be extracted in neem flowers.

As small as five millimeters long, the white flowers of neem later develop into an elongated relatively small seed that also tastes bitter. Neem extracts are used to manufacture ointments for minor wounds, and are added as ingredients for making astringents or beauty creams. The sweet aroma of neem flower can also help in meditation and spa treatments.

Flowers are the reproductive parts of plants. The formation and union of gametes occur in flowers. Most flowers have both male and female features. However, self-pollination is not the ideal reproduction method of plants. Generally, insects help in the pollination of plants by transferring pollen grains from one flowering plant to another of same species. Human beings, on the other hand, have been purposely breeding plants through cross pollination for centuries.

Flowers are the reproductive parts of plants. Hence, it is an appropriate coincidence that flowers are used in the dating ritual. Flowers are also used in gourmet food preparations as decorations or as main ingredient.

Some flowers are seasonal while some are perennials. Chrysanthemum is an example of a perennial flower. Chrysanthemum is actually a genus of about 30 species in the family Asteraceae. Formerly, this genus included many more species, but the other species had been classified into other genera several decades ago.

Chrysanthemum flowers occur in various forms that can be fashioned into different decorative designs. On the other hand, chrysanthemums are also used in some culinary preparations. The flowers are boiled to make a sweet drink in some parts of Asia.

I just adore and love lilies, don't you just love them? They're very lovely and surprisingly enough, they're very easy to plant and grow. I always thought that beautiful flowers need plenty of our time and effort just to grow. Lilies are different, they are exceptionally easy to plant and they spread on their own. The Day Lilies are specifically very easy to plant. Day Lilies are perfect for home decorations. They're not so hard to find because you can grow them in your yards in a snap. Well, of course you still have to tend them and water them but it doesn't take too much fuss.

All you need to grow Day Lilies are just the basic planting requirements. First thing you'll need is a well-drained sandy loam. The soil pH must be neutral and the soil water should just be moist. The soil must tolerate all dry conditions because Day Lilies need full sun exposure. See, they're not so hard to provide for! Some flowers need shade or a special type of soil. But, the Day Lilies only need a good sun bath and voila! They'll grow in no time. You should expect the Day Lily to grow up to 4 feet in height.

Usually, the Day Lilies bloom in shades of yellow, pink, and orange. The Day Lilies would blossom in the spring season to late summer. These flowers propagate easily so you won't have any problems spreading them in your yards. You just have to trim them every now and then for a perfect Day Lilies-landscape.

Perennials are very lovely when they bloom throughout the season. So, how can you make sure that they stay vibrant and fresh? Besides watering them and trimming them regularly, you also need to make sure that they are properly fertilized. The soil has to be moist enough and warm enough for the perennials. You also have to protect them from pests and such. Another thing about perennials is that you have to cut the roots when they grow, so they won't overcrowd the soil.

What perennial flowers need the most is hand weeding. You have to make it a point to control the weeding. You can also use herbicides. Herbicides avoid shallow-root damages. Of course, you always have to do a soil test to know the proper measurement of fertilization. Putting in too much fertilizer can actually damage the flower. Everything has to be just right. By spring, your perennials are bound to fully bloom. This is because spring has the nicest weather condition. When you see the young leaves spurt out from the soil, never touch them with fertilizer. This would only do more harm than good to the young leaves.

Also, never be impatient when planting perennial flowers. Newly planted perennial flowers do not usually bloom the first year. You have to wait for several years for them to bloom. Lastly, you have to remove the old leaves and flowers. This would encourage new flowers and leaves to bloom. Do all of these and you'd be sure to have fabulously healthy and beautiful perennial flowers.

If you're trying to grow a perennial garden but you have no idea why it's not growing, then maybe you're doing something wrong. Perennial flowers may take a long time to grow but they're fairly easy to plant. Planting perennials take basic skills, anyone can do it. So can you! You just have to do everything within their right measurements.

The first common mistake that people tend to make is that they over-water the area. When you're planting a perennial garden, don't water the seedlings too much. This drowns the seedlings, thus, they would be completely damaged. What you need to do is to plant the seedlings in a "seed starting tray." The trays usually contain single cells for the seedlings. Leave one cell empty. When you water the seedlings, pour the small amount of water in the empty cell. So that, the tray and the seedlings would absorb the water from the empty watered cell. This would regulate the flow of water.

Another good tip is to collect the seeds from your perennial flowers in the fall. You only have to cut away the seed pods that are kept in the flower garden. In doing so, the flowers would instantly germinate in spring time. To garden effectively, the best way is to do it without the gloves. This helps a big deal because you would really have a hands-on on the flowers and the seedlings. Do all these, and you'll have a blooming perennial garden in no time! You can start a nice house design with your flowering perennial garden!

Periwinkle flowers are one of my most favorite flowers. Other than the fact that they're pretty and refreshing to look at, they have medicinal purposes. There are many kinds of periwinkle flowers. Some periwinkle flowers bloom annually and some periwinkles are perennials. The Madagascar periwinkle is a perennial flower. It's scientifically called the Catharanthus Roseus.

The Madagascar periwinkle and some other types of periwinkle are also commonly called the Myrtle. These flowers originated from the soils of Madagascar. This flower grows everywhere around the world, as long as the climate is warm. It usually grows until two feet, and it has bright to dark green glossy leaves. The flowers bloom for the whole summer season. Usually, the flowers are pink and lilac in color. But there are several periwinkles which are bright to hot pink or purple.

This plant has always been a good medicinal plant for the diabetes disease. In some traditional European countries, this plant is said to be the remedy for diabetes. In India, the periwinkle's juice is used to cure wasp bites or stings, and other insect-related bites. In China, this plant is used as an astringent, a cure for cough, and a diuretic. In many parts of South America, the periwinkle is used to remedy lung ailments, colds, and sore throat. I guess in many other countries, the periwinkle has a lot to offer for illnesses and such.

I have always wondered about the nice flowers in many old photographs, the blazing stars. They look so alive that I thought they never die, and partially, I was right. The blazing stars are perennial flowers. Although they do wilt at times, they're most likely to live for a long time. Compared to other beautiful flowers, the blazing stars really stand the test of time in certain seasons. Usually they flower and bloom in late summer or early spring.

The blazing stars or the liatris spicata are usually lilac in color. Usually, they also bloom in deep rose-purple colors. They have stiff cylinder like spikes sticking out of the flower's body. They usually grow from two to six feet. If you're planning to grow them, blazing stars prefer moist and "well-drained" soil. The soil should be fertile, and this flower requires adequate sunlight. The probability of this plant to grow in your backyard maybe 50% out of a hundred. You just need to provide it with proper care. The blazing star usually starts to bloom from the month of June until September. You may want to plant them near your fences or low walls for added accents. Flowers are good features for nice house designs. The blazing star would definitely stand out along your fences. If you want this flower to grow in your yards, you may want to start now. This flower takes a long time to reach its full bloom. Happy planting then and get those green thumbs ready!

There are about 500 species of violets in the world. They are known for not having a scent, But violets do have scents, it's just that along with the chemical components of the scent is a compound called ionone, a ketone, which prevents the nose from smelling the violet scent.

Violets are safe flowers for ingestion. They don't contain any nutritional value, but they can flavor a meal. Violet flowers are popular as candy treats. Fresh violets are coated with syrup which preserves it. In France, this is still a common delicacy.

Growing violets are a cinch. The only worry gardeners have in cultivating this flower is their itinerant existence. They don't stay where you plant them. Violets spit out their seeds, and it does not take professional care for these seeds to grow. Violets are more like weeds in behavior than like other flowers. Tough love is necessary for gardening with violets. It's not every gardener who could successfully grow violets in his garden.

A shrub that's easy to maintain and pleasing to the eye, the Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a beautiful plant with blue blooms that only get brighter as these blooms open. This woody stemmed plant loves the sun and good drainage to fully reap the rewards of the Russian Sage's blooms.

The Russian Sage is a bit sensitive to the cold, and most of the new growth occurs in the spring, and pruning it down 8-10 inches will help it grow better and encourage more blooms. A somewhat hardy shrub, the Russian Sage has very few pest problems. Even deer, notorious for ransacking a garden, leaving nothing rooted or uneaten, avoid this plant.

If you're looking for a plant that can really enhance a home's curb appeal, you can't go wrong with Perovskia atriplicifolia, the Russian Sage.

Surely one of the simple pleasures you can do this winter is just looking at crocus flowers in the snow. The name of the flower comes from the Latin word "crocatus" which means yellow saffron. The flowering plant is native to the Aegean region, but it was Netherlands, which hybridized it. It was first spotted in the Dutch country during the 1560's. They were carried by one of the ambassadors of the Holy Roman Emperor to A. Ghislain de Busbeq. Afterwards, some of the corms were handed to Carolus Clusius in Leiden where the plant was subjected to further studies at a botanical garden. In 1620, after a series of developments, new hybrids of the flower came out. Soon after crocuses began to attract the attention of the Dutch people. That was also the time when Ambrossius Bosschaert made his crocus painting "Composed Bouquet of Spring Flowers." Then fame of the plant continued to spread internationally.
Though small, the plant yields tiny yet beautiful flowers. Yet perhaps, it also owes part of its popularity due to the masterpiece done by the painter Bosschaert.

Do you like hummingbirds? Do you enjoy seeing those little buzzing birds swooping in and out of your garden and backyard? If you do, then why not plant one of these spiky, bottle-brush perennial plants and watch them come in droves!

The Kniphofia (commonly known as the Red Hot Poker) is a natural magnet for those tiny birds. These plants require a bit of care to grow, like keeping them dry and well-drained in winter and keeping them well-watered in the summer. They also require a lot of sun to bloom, so be sure they get it!

Also, when planting a Red Hot Poker, be sure it's where you want it. This plant doesn't respond well to transplanting and doesn't divide well either. Better to try and plant the young side shoots instead.

Are your plants dying out on you? Are you forced into refinancing your home every year because your garden wilts at the end of the year? If you are, then save out on a bundle of cash and plant perennials instead.

Perennials are plants that are made to last. Although they are by no means long-lived (lasting only 2-3 years) they can save you cash by not having to replant all that often. And they often mean a low-maintenance garden for you as well.

Perennials are a great type of plant to have in your garden, not only saving you money, but by providing a sense of continuity as your garden gets along in years.

This fragrant-smelling, clump-growing perennial is a staple of many gardens all over. Easy to grow, and beautiful to look at, it's no wonder why. With its large, cupped and ruffled flowers Peonies are long-lived plants that will become a favorite because of its seeming permanence in the landscape.

Peonies require a period of cold to set eyes or flower buds on their roots. Because of this, they need to be planted no more than a few inches below ground. These plants love the sun, so don't be shy about planting them out in the open. But be careful! They can get a bit top-heavy, so staking them for support should be considered.

Peonies are pleasing to the eye and a cinch to plant. It's no wonder they've become the garden staple they are today.

This long-lived perennial is a plant that will become a fixture in your garden, not only because of its long lifespan, but also because of its beautiful flowers. Many hellebores are easy to hybridize, and this has resulted in many new colors and variations of the common hellebore.

One such variation, the Lenten rose, blooms with a rose-burgundy flower that attracts the eye the first time it blooms. Its bloom times range from mid-winter to mid spring, and they require light shade and have average water needs. This is a poisonous plant, so children should be educated that it is and avoid consumption of it.

Taken well care of, Hellebores can live a long time, some lasting as long as 15 years.

This purple or white blooming perennial is a native of marshland, although surprisingly it can grow in many types of land, and is actually quite drought-resistant. This is a constant bloomer, justifying its inclusion in the perennial class of plants, especially in the summer.

The Liatris spicata, known commonly as Blazing Star, blooms a unique flower. The purple or white flowers are spiky and attract butterflies. Its grassy foliage, along with its other qualities definitely adds something special to a garden.

The Blazing Star grows best in well-drained soil and is a good outdoor plant, needing little maintenance for it to thrive.

Do you want a no-frills, no muss, no fuss perennial plant? A plant that only requires water, and precious little else? Then why not plant a Turtlehead?

No, no, I don't mean literally take a turtle and plant it's head in the round. Turtleheads are the common name of one of the hardiest perennial flowers around, the Chelone lyonii. These tough little plants can survive almost anything and give out nice pink blooms when they flower. Just make sure they have enough water to keep their soil moist throughout the day.

They have been known to live long lives, and usually only attain their full size within 3-4 years of planting.