If the gardening season has you green with envy over your neighbor’s lush blooms and ripening fruit, then take a look at perennials. A perennial is a powerhouse in the garden that will come back year after year given the right care, and in some cases the right care is exceedingly minimal. With a variety of options, growing perennials might just be the ticket to a garden oasis. 

Sun Lovers

Many perennials prefer to grow in a spot with lots of sun and relatively dry, which in the 209 is an asset. These sun-loving perennials come in a wide variety of sizes and colors to fill in a garden landscape. Sage (Salvia) thrives in a sunny spot, as does daylilies (Hemerocallis) and catnip (Nepeta). Most ornamental grasses also fair well in sunny and dry spots, including moor grass (Molinia) and sedge (Carex). And, of course succulents like stonecrop (Sedum) and houseleek (Sempervivum) are good sun growers. 

Made in the Shade

Perennials preferring to spend their time under a canopy of shade are typically not big flower bloomers, but the leaf color, shape and height can be just as eye-catching. Examples include knotweed (Persicaria), fairy wings (Epimedium), and Corydalis. Solomon’s seals (Polygonatum) is also perfect for shade.   

Planting Perennials

Giving your perennials a bit of care in the planting stage sets them up to return year after year. For most plants you’ll need to dig a planting hole that is more than twice the size of the root ball. Loosen the soil at the bottom and all around. Fill the hole up with enough soil so that the plant sits a little deeper than in the (cultivation) pot it arrived in. Water once planted and continue weekly as needed.

Spread the Mulch 

Perennials will love you even more if you spread some plant material around to create a layer of mulch. this will protect it from the heat and cold and keeps the plant from drying out. As a bonus, a mulch layer hampers the growth of weeds.