Are often used to solve troublesome spots in the landscape. Some of these areas might be wet, dry or shady, or possess infertile soil. Perennials are effective as background plantings, for naturalizing or simply as a border to define a planting bed.
Wet areas could be planted with Iris sibirica, Monarda didyma and Viola odorata. For dry areas, consider using Achillea or Hemerocallis. Where the soil is poor, Gypsophila or Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis) could be used.
For tall background plantings, consider Phlox paniculata or Boltonia asteroides ‘Snowbank.’ Naturalized plantings may use the Prairie Gayfeather (Liatris) or Echinacea, while rocky areas will accommodate plantings of Columbine (Aquilegia) and Basket-of-Gold (Aurinia saxatilis ‘Citrina’)
Borders can be accented effectively with Snow-In-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum) or Phlox subulata (Moss Pink).
Perennial selection can be made on the basis of flower color and the season of bloom. The following selections will highlight these qualities.
