58 Basic Perennial Garden PlantinG & Maintenance
Next, have the objectives or commitments of the owner changed? Is there
now more or less time for maintenance? Are there new pets or new children?
Perhaps interior redecorating, or taste, has changed the color focus of the
garden. This is a good opportunity to think things over clearly and thoroughly.
The advantage in garden renovation projects is that you know what has and has
not worked, and this can help greatly with decision making.
A primary concern in deciding which plants make the cut in the redesign is
the prevalence of weeds. If stoloniferous weeds have really gotten into a plant, it
may be best to get rid of the plant and just buy a new one, or something else,
rather than risk reintroducing a fragment of weed that will take over the world
even faster in your nice new organic soil. There is no sense in going to all the
trouble of redoing a garden and then putting the weeds or aggressive perennials
right back into it. And you are not doing your family or friends a favor by giving
them such a plant either.
Aside from concerns of weediness, a plant may simply be a “dog” and not
worth the effort to replant. Perhaps it was purchased in a weak moment, or wasThis small (25 ft. × 13 ft.),
uninspired condominium
“garden,” with a few token
perennials and the “same old,
same old” woody plants, was in
great need of a makeover.
By incorporating a 3-foot
winding path, trellis for vines,
and espaliered cherry trees to
utilize the vertical space next to
the house, we start to see a real
garden developing. The woody
plants were placed and planted
prior to herbaceous plants.
(opposite) The garden 1 month
after planting.