Why You Need Perennials in Your Life!

As I have gotten older, I have realized more and more why I need perennials in my life.

Do I need to give you reasons why you need perennials in your life?

I have shared my love for perennials before here... but…in case you missed it? Well… here you go!

Recently, I shared the Dogwood Trail lighting with you when my niece’s in laws were here from Japan. We had to remove 3 dying dogwoods and have replaced them with new ones this spring from our local civic beautification board. A perfect addition to keep the beauty of those along with the Snowball bush that did not disappoint this year.

So, I’m sharing reasons YOU may need more perennials in your life!

1. They simply come back to bring you joy each year.

Seriously. I think the first perennials in our yard were gifted by Aunt Helen. I’ve shared about her on this blog here. Hostas were the first perennials shared from her garden.

Hostas

First, hostas are the most amazing plants that are lush and perfect each year. Just be careful to keep them away from areas where deer may enjoy the salad buffet, if you have them in your yard. If you do have issues with deer, I love planting these in pots on my deck. There are also great products to use on them that deter deer from munching on them if you plant them in your landscape. No new planting. They just return to look like this each year. Sold!

Irises

Next, irises are the perfect perennial to add to your landscape. Coming back in the spring to bring beauty to your beds and centerpieces. These beautiful ones, once again, came from Aunt Helen’s garden. Stunning. They have not been divided in over 20 years…so this fall, I’ll add that to my gardening tasks to keep them blooming gloriously.

Peonies

Another perennial that Aunt Helen shared were her peonies. These are one of my absolute favorites.

All required of me is adding support as they come up. That’s it! Each year they get more beautiful and lush.

Dianthus

A couple of years ago a new perennial joined the planters in my yard. Dianthus just arrives in stunning perennial fashion each spring and stays beautiful all season long. They are a great companion color when the zinnias begin to come up. Rural King had lots on sale this past weekend.

Roses

Whether you have knock out roses, rambling roses, David Austin or another variety of roses…they continue to amaze me that they just simply wake up and gloriously bloom.

Snowball bushes

This viburnum bush was planted a couple of years ago and the deep freeze a couple of winters ago caused no blooms last year…

This year? Be still my heart! They have bloomed profusely and have lasted for several weeks. I may need to add a few more of these to my landscape.

My favorite arrangement of them in the house is a simple bloom in a tall cylindrical vase. Just stunning. We loved tucking them into vases for our recent family wedding.

Hydrangea

Now, hydrangeas are my absolute favorite. So many colors and types are planted in my yard. From blue, limelight, Bobo, fireside, a fuchsia and another pink variety, they ALL bring me joy.

From the time they begin to fill in the landscape with lush full greenery and then the addition to gorgeous blooms, they are just stunning. They provide lush blooms to add to fresh and dried arrangements, like this wreath that still looks amazing. This is one perennial that you NEED to add to your garden.

Other Perennials

There are so many more perennials that are tucked into my garden. Lemon balm, mint, chocolate mint, cannas, foxglove, crepe myrtle, forsythia, azaleas, redbud, dogwoods, chives, and even zinnias come back each year and fill planters and planting beds with beauty.

2. They require little care.

Perennials just don’t require much care. Unless the plant needs dividing, such as, hosta occasionally, they are so easy to just water and enjoy.

Perennials fill in the landscape and continue to give foliage and fauna without a great deal of extra care. I am hoping this lavender makes it through cold temperatures next winter. Isn’t it lovely?

3. Perennials are also cost saving.

Did you know that you can even divide perennials and share the love around your yard or with others? Some perennials you can even root and give away plants to others or replant in a new spot in your yard.

These beautiful foxgloves were “gifted” from a friend last fall and I can’t wait until they continue their amazing blooming.

TIP: Last weekend we found a clearance on spring daffodils, hyacinths and combination 4″ pots with tulips for…wait for it…5 CENTS a pot! Needless to say, they were added to the landscape around dogwood and crepe myrtle trees. I can’t wait to see them bloom next spring.

By the way, my husband is a ROCK STAR! He dug all 29 holes for those pots…less than 3 months after total shoulder replacement surgery.

Another event to watch for in your area may be hosted by your local Horticulture Extension office. A month or so ago, they gave free trees. 5 trees- pecan, plum and pine were added to our landscape last weekend, too.

Last year, the Horticulture Extension office hosted a FREE planting event that provided a self watering container, soil and plants that were wonderful. Herbs and peppers were enjoyed all season long.

Annuals vs. Perennials?

Although plants continue to rise in cost each year, annuals that die with the first frost are simply harder for me to purchase each year.

Unless you live in a warm climate, bring annuals in or have a greenhouse, repurchasing annuals each year can become quite costly.

Now, there are already ferns planted in planters.

Herbs that don’t make it through low winter freezes will be replaced. I’ve already gotten a start on this.

TIP: The past few years I have bought herbs at Trader Joe’s in the produce section. They have outperformed ALL other herbs in the garden. Those pots with basil, sage and oregano began as tiny little pots in bags a few weeks ago.

Tomatoes and other vegetables will be planted soon that are always a great investment. We had a late start with tomato seeds in the house, but we also picked up a great sale on beefsteak tomatoes last weekend to begin the growing season.

In reality? I’ve learned to enjoy the benefits of perennials so much that I find myself looking to purchase more of them than annuals each year.

If you are looking to plant perennials, why not add them to containers in your garden? Here are a few I found to use for herbs, hostas, hydrangea and other perennials.

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So, what are the favorite plants in your landscape?

Perennial flowers? or Annuals?

More of both will be added to our landscape and planters in the next few weeks. But, seriously, the perennials may once again outnumber the annuals.

I’d love to know your thoughts on which perennials I need to add to our garden this year. Thoughts?

Please let me know in the comments!