Perennials plants are such a versatile group of plants. Hardier than annuals they return year after year to give color to your landscape and containers. They are a good investment – buy them once and enjoy them for years.

If you aren’t familiar with perennials here’s some info:

• Some are large and shrub-like and will bloom throughout the summer and come back next year and do it all over again.

• Others are evergreen and stay green year-round – never dying back.

• There are those that are smaller, sturdy plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds with their vibrant flowers.

• Some varieties are lower growing and make good ground covers.

• Many perennials are drought hardy and love the sun and heat (even in Texas!)

• There are shade perennials that brighten up those shady areas too.

By adding perennials to your landscape you can create different looks as the seasons change. You can do so with color transitions as the weather turns from the coolness of spring to the heat of summer. Plant pastel color perennials that finish their bloom cycle as the brighter yellow, oranges and reds of summer begin to bloom.

As your perennials age they can be divided into smaller plants – thus giving you FREE plants to use in your landscape and containers or to share with friends. Who doesn’t love FREE plants! Most divisions need to be done in the fall after the plant has completed its growing cycle for the year.

Perennials can be planted in groupings in your landscape or used as lower growing plants in front of your taller shrubbery to create depth in your flower beds.

Use perennials in containers along with annual flowers to create more interesting plant combinations. These showy plants can also be planted alone in containers – group these containers together and move them around to create different looks for your deck, patio and even in your landscape beds.

Many perennials are deer resistant which in our area is an added bonus! They also attract butterflies and hummingbirds and are definitely pollinator friendly.

Perennials, with all of their uses, should be high on your “must have” list. If you have questions about where and how to use them in your landscape we’d be happy to make suggestions.