Perennials all have their blooming periods, some just more than others. While the usual flush of blossoms for perennials is about four to six weeks, there are a few that will perform eight to 12 weeks on average.
Planning perennial gardens is always a challenge because we want to have continuous blooming from at least May through August. It can be accomplished but it takes a considerable amount of research to find species that will burst into color when others are fading away. Not only are we looking for continuity but also complimentary colors that look good with each other.
Once the bloom periods are established and the colors blend with their surrounding counterparts we have the anchors, so to speak, of a perennial garden and then minor inclusions of an unusual plant for a spot of color or other annuals, to incorporate a border, can give it that finished look.
While it is often difficult for the average gardener to restrain themselves (me included) from planting everything and every color in the same bed it would be wise to keep beds to a maximum of two or three colors at most — there’s something to be said about too many focal points in any “one” garden just as in art where a single focal point is preferred. This can be overcome by having several gardens with differing color combinations.
Like the experts always say, “less is more”— it prevents the eye from bouncing and makes it easier to focus.
What’s blooming now? As far as perennials go, Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) and Echinacea (Coneflower) are in their prime at this writing and they are two of the longest lasting perennials that I know of. They will make a good pair in a bed and can be expected to bloom from June through August. A bed of these two outstanding performers with the inclusion of a spot highlight like Russian Sage or a tall grass may be all that is necessary for a home’s focal point. Add a complimentary border of a contrasting color and there you have it!
Other plants that are in bloom at this writing (however with shorter life spans) are gladiola and daylilies.
Gladiolas are excellent for cut flower arrangements. They came into season in lower Michigan about the same time that peaches and apples were starting so I would always have to pick up several dozen of cut bunches each with four or five single stems of like color and variety. They were always welcomed by the fruit shoppers and hard to resist.
Oriental and Asian lilies are starting to wane right now partially because of the heat and also because of the unusual early season causing them to bloom about two weeks ahead of schedule. The Asian lilies at the No. 1 tee-box at Black Squirrel Golf Course that I have written about several times because of their unusual beauty suffered this year in color and performance because of the extreme heat.
If you want a daylily that will perform continuously for many weeks try Stella ‘de Oro — it has outstanding lasting qualities and a longer than usual bloom period. When blooms wane be sure to snip stems back as far into the plant as can be reached. Another hint is to reach into its depths and yank out dead and old growth- it seems to rejuvenate the plant to continue and extend its bloom period.
P.S. Last week had special meaning to me as I reached my 80th birthday — hard for me to believe but it’s true. Lucky me!
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A bed of Black-eyed Susan and purple coneflower are in full bloom at the entrance to Keystone Pointe on College Avenue. PHOTO PROVIDED
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