Perennial gardens can definitely become very easy and low maintenance over time, but before that magical effortless look happens, there are plenty of plans and decisions to be made. Specifically, where you plant things is almost as important as what you decide to plant. Here are 22 suggestions and ideas to help you plan the layout and design of gorgeous perennial flower garden.
How to Design a Perennial Flower Garden
There are some specific things to consider when choosing what and where to plant:
When will this plant bloom, and for how long?How much growth (height, spread, bloom size) does it put out during the high point of the season?Do its blooms or foliage change color over time, and if so, when and what colors can you expect?What different colors are available in this plant’s cultivars?Does this plant have a desirable fragrance?Does it have specific light or soil needs that are different from the plants near it?Is it vulnerable to pests, and if so, will it attract pests that might damage adjacent plants?Does this plant have flowers that are vulnerable to damage from wind, rain, or heat?
Keep a notebook listing plants you’re considering, and then do your research. Read tags at the nursery, and ask for guidance and tips from employees or other gardeners. Plant other flowering plants nearby that will add color when these show-stoppers are done; try chrysanthemums or perennial snapdragons in front of your echinacea. Heucheras come in a rainbow of colors with differently-shaped leaves and do well in sun or shade. Hostas and daphne come in variegated varieties that add visual depth and interest. Silvery tones can come from artemisia or brunnera. The beautifully-shaped leaves of oakleaf hydrangeas and amsonia provide brilliant autumn color. Maybe you want your roses to take the starring role. Maybe your peonies are the pride of the neighborhood. Let those pink David Austin roses shine by keeping other early summer blooming perennials to a minimum nearby, unless you want an all-pink garden, in which case, go for it! With a bit of practice and research, you can plant strategically to showcase certain plants at the height of their bloom season. Consider leaving some plants intact for winter, like tall sedums, that create a lovely shape, then cut back in spring as new growth appears. This snowy garden has beautiful forms and textures from its evergreen and tree plantings.
