What Are Perennial Plants?
Perennial plants grow back in the same location each year, dying in the fall and popping back up in the spring or summer. Some perennials will last two to three years, while others can live on for decades, making them perfect for front yards. Perennials provide a sense of consistency in the garden for gardeners to rely upon, unlike annual plants that bloom then die after one season.
For many gardeners, perennial plants are appealing in that they become the backbone of your garden – allowing for gardeners to plant supplemental annuals for garden design experimentation and pops of color. Perennial plants are the flowers that keep on giving year after year!
Front Yard Perennial Plant Maintenance
Plant a perennial once and they will come back every year. As perennials become established in your garden, they will require less maintenance. However, perennials need to be planted correctly when first starting out.
Start off planting your perennials in well-drained soil with organic matter, such as compost, for a strong foundation. Once planted, water it generously so that the water reaches the root. The roots of perennials are really what you’re planting, because while its flowers die back with the first frost, its roots survive the cold winter months.
Once your perennials mature, maintenance becomes less labor intensive, but it’s still needed to conserve a healthy perennial garden. The same general gardening tips apply to maintaining perennials, including adequately watering, weeding, deadheading and mulching. However, one maintenance tip that differs with perennials is their need for dividing.
Dividing Perennial Plants
After many years of reblooming, perennial plants need a little pick-me-up. When they start to outgrow the spot they were planted in, it’s time to divide them. Other signs it’s time to divide them is leaves turn green or yellow and the center of the clump starts to die.
The best time to divide perennials for spring or summer blooming plants is in the fall, and fall blooming plants in the spring. Dividing perennial plants should be done on a cloudy day, never on a hot and sunny day. A few days before division, thoroughly water the plants then prep the area the divided perennial plant is going in to limit the time roots are exposed to dry air.
Dividing perennials can produce multiple separate plants, sometimes up to five.
Front Yard Perennials that Boost Curb Appeal
There are plenty of beautiful perennial flowers that will boost curb appeal, offering vibrant colors and timeless beauty to your front yard garden.
Perennial flowers that make a statement in your front yard landscape design include roses, peonies, hibiscus and peonies, but there are many more to choose from. Below are 10 examples of perennials to enjoy year after year to make a dazzling first impression in your front yard.
-
Clematis
Clematis are perennials flowers that are part of the buttercup family, which can sprawl up trellises, arbors, pergolas and fences.
-
Hibiscus
Hibiscus flowers are native to warmer regions, adding a tropical look to your front yard garden decor. These perennial flowers can grow up to 15 feet high.
-
Daffodil
Daffodils are spring perennial flowers that can bloom for up to 50 years and are part of the amaryllis family.
-
Daylily
Daylilies require minimal care yet produce strikingly beautiful flowers year after year. Despite the name daylily, these perennial flowers are not actually lilies.
-
Rose
Roses are a classic perennial plant that are always a crowd favorite. They have a distinct fragrance and they come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, white and yellow.
-
Peony
Peonies are another perennial plant that comes in a variety of colors and sizes. They take some time to mature, sometimes up to 2 years, but they’re well worth the wait.
-
Iris
Iris derives from the Greek word for rainbow because of the many colors they come in. They provide a nice pop of color for impressive front yard curb appeal in spring and summer.
-
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums, or mums, are a fall staple. These hardy perennials signify the fall season has arrived and make a statement in any front yard garden.
-
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas bloom in spring and summer and like both sun and shade. Common hydrangea colors range from pink, blue and white.
-
Daisy
Daisies are a classic perennial that adds character to any front yard. Daisies are a popular choice amongst gardeners because they’re easy to grow and return every spring and early summer.
Find & compare the world’s best garden suppliers for vegetable seeds or flower seeds to use in your garden. Garden Savvy is the gardening catalog of catalogs. Search our gardening database now!
