14 Basic Perennial Garden PlantinG & Maintenance
of the various aspects of planting and maintenance. See the Encyclopedia of
Perennials for information on specific plants as well as the extensive lists provided
to find out which plants are best for certain conditions and requirements.THE SITE
Let’s look at some aspects of a garden and how they relate to maintenance,
starting with the site. Considerations such as contour of the land, conditions of
the existing soil, light exposure, and moisture conditions fall under this category.
Before thinking about personal objectives, such as garden style or color and plant
preferences, you must recognize that the site directly affects all these variables.
Unfortunately, the site is not always given this preferential treatment, I suppose
because it isn’t really a fun thing to think about. You might visualize a vibrantly
colored perennial garden full of fragrant dianthus and perhaps bright red
beebalm, when in actuality the site is too shady to support either of these plants
or these bright colors (most shade-loving plants bloom in soft pastel colors).
You need to take into account existing vegetation, buildings or structures, sun
patterns, winds, soil conditions, and microclimates before you can start thinking
about anything else. Are there trees that will compete with the perennials for
moisture and sun? Is there an overhang on the house that will prevent rainfall or
sun from reaching a 2- or 3-foot area of the garden? It’s a waste of valuable
resources to try to maintain moisture-loving plants in a dry location. Perennials
such as Symphytum grandiflorum and species of epimedium and lamium will
compete with trees for moisture without requiring large amounts of supplemen-
tal watering. And the solution for moisture-blocking overhangs is to start theThe main front border at
Hiddenhaven gardens in the
spring is lush and bursting
with prospects, which will be
showy for months to come.