Planning a Perennial Garden
The motivation to garden varies from gardener to gardener, but the pleasure is universal. Some gardeners enjoy focusing on a single species of plant, others enjoy propagation, and yet others can rhyme off the common and scientific name of every plant in their garden.
My interest in gardening is the esthetics of appearance; I want to create a peaceful sanctuary for anyone who ventures into my yard. I work to have blooms all season long and I consider how the garden will look from a variety of angles.
An important consideration is to create contrast by varying the colour and texture of leaves. For instance, the colour green alone ranges through lime green, emerald green, blue-green to gray green. For additional contrast, think of gray and the many shades of burgundy now available.
Leaf texture also varies greatly. Some leaves are lacy, such as ferns, while the leaves of others, like sedums are smooth, thick and succulent. Placing plants carefully so that different leaf textures are side by side creates an “eye buffet” and gives emphasis to each plant. And we’re just talking about leaves!
On top of that, the height of each plant needs to be carefully considered so that each one can be seen and also complement the plants it is near.
Then we come to the blooms: Once again, variety in shape and colour, as well as blooming time are key to keeping a lively, attractive garden. Perennials are the only way to go if you have a large garden. Annuals are wonderful in strategic places to maintain colour and interest all summer long, but perennials are dependable. If a perennial is treated well in its first season, with consistent watering that allows it to develop roots, it will come up year after year. Perennials save you work and money.
As a “newbie” gardener, it took me years to learn that I needed to visit a garden centre several times in the growing season. Flowering plants sell better if they are in bloom, and perennials bloom at different times. So, to have your garden in bloom all season and to see the actual flower in bloom to help you plan, source out garden nurseries at least three times in the season.
Dedicated gardeners, such as I am, go many more times. We cannot pass a garden nursery without going in and very likely purchasing at least one plant that catches our eye. My sister, Gwynne, gardens with me, and we enjoy our discussions as to the strategic placement of each plant.
Drought
All of us have troublesome spots on our property where grass refuses to grow and random weeds find a happy home. I have two problematic areas on the north side of my house. The first area, squeezed between two houses, does not receive rain. Now the strip is the happy home of 19 Wide Brim Hostas, thanks to the advice of Tina and Angie at New Roots Garden Centre.
A guest speaker at the monthly meetings of the Newmarket Garden Club helped me understand what I might do with the second area. The speaker commented that trying to grow short root grass not suited to our climate is folly; she advocated that we consider drought-resistant plants. This spot is now a thyme garden that blooms a beautiful mauve in mid June, nurturing many bees, one of our endangered species.
Grandchildren
My grandchildren have influenced what has happened in my backyard. It is for them that the garden is whimsical. My husband (now deceased) and I created a pathway for our grandkids to walk through the garden. When the oldest two were pre-school children, they would disappear behind a large plant, pick a few berries and leaves and squish them up to make a “magic” potion.
Hoping to add to the magic, I’ve added fairy houses and colourful mushrooms. As the garden and the grandchildren grew in size and number, the pathways expanded. As well, plaster plaques, each with the initial of one grandchild, adorn the garden in random places.
Water Features
Water has a charm all its own, so we incorporated water features into our garden. For 30 years, the front has had a bubble stone, while a pond with waterfall, hand-dug by husband, oldest son and neighbour, adds sound and sight richness to the backyard.
Recently, Dino of Atlas Landscape, rejuvenated the pond and added bubble stones, enhanced by lighting, to the backyard. My fish swim contentedly in their new home, while family and friends relax instantaneously as they sink into a patio chair and listen to the music of running water.
At night, lights that are right inside the bubble stones light up the spouting water to create the effect of candles in the dusky darkness. My five grandchildren and I set up our sleeping bags on the back deck and watch the dancing “flames”, entranced.
My garden is complete – until I visit my next garden nursery!
If you would like to share the story of your garden, contact editor Debora Kelly at [email protected].
