This is our second day of rain. Much needed, so I’m not complaining, however I really can’t do any work in the garden. But I can share some thoughts on perennial gardening.
The California Poppy has really taken off this year.
Though I plant a few annuals – mostly in pots on the porch – I really concentrate on perennials. Annuals are great fillers, especially when you are first establishing a garden, but perennials are with you for the long haul.
When we first moved here, the big garden bed, and it’s really big, was pretty bare. It had been established, but very few things had been planted. There was a hosta or two, some sedum “Autumn Joy”, daffodils and a bush. In addition, there were two peony bushes down by the road, a wiegela near the shed, and a lone yellow tulip by the porch. And lots and lots of trees. Since we moved in at the end of August, I decided to hold off on the garden until the following year. The only thing we added that first year was a new garden bed in front of the porch where we planted 4 boxwoods.
Slowly but surely that next spring, I started to add perennials to the garden bed. As you know, I am on a very limited budget ( I think it was a bit less limited in those days, but nevertheless, limited.) I had to be selective about what I added. Some plants took, others did not. I had to learn about our soil, amend it, do lots of research and be willing to experiment.
Since I was on a budget, I added only a small amount of plants each year, starting in the spring of 2006. Patience was my watchword. You need patience when you are establishing a perennial garden because it takes a while for the plants to take off. No instant gardens for me. No landscape designer filling in my garden beds in the blink of an eye. No, I wanted to design my beds. Slow and steady wins the race.
Now, in the spring of 2012, I am bowled over by how big and full all of the plants are. I’m amazed at the poppy, for example, a plant I haven’t seen bloom in its full glory for 4 years. Wow. It’s huge. It has lots and lots of buds that will soon burst forth in a gorgeous shade of reddish orange. I planted it at least 4 years ago. It took time to reach this size. The catmints are unbelievably full and gorgeous. The bee balm multiplies every year. As do the coneflowers. And the David phlox. The ground covers spread a bit more each year.
And they all come back. That’s what perennials do. They come back, year after year. They hunker down in your soil, spread their roots, and decide to make a return visit every year. Each new spring, I am filled with awe at the miracle of rebirth. My plants have become my children. Truly. Just as you watch your children grow, the same holds true for your perennial garden. It doesn’t sprout up overnight. Good food, nourishment, water and lots of love help to build a healthy, long-term garden.
Annuals are temporary. They’re perfect for my porch pots (impatiens) and window boxes. They nicely fill in my barrels. My hanging plants are annuals. But the garden beds are filled with perennials.
Since that first summer in 2006, I have added two more beds. I expanded the bed in front of the house (where the boxwoods are) and added a hyacinth, russian sage and a rose bush. The next bed is just around the corner of the porch and it has my (now huge) hydrangea, two rose bushes, a spirea and some coneflowers. The most recent addition was put in last year – another bed that expands upon the hydrangea bed. It’s a bit bare – I will add more plants as time and budget allow. But remember, patience is a virtue in perennial gardening. It’s about the process. You have to be willing to wait as your garden evolves.
The area around the porch that you see in the above photo was completely bare when we moved in. Just grass. Now, I have a flourishing cottage garden that adds to the charm of this old house.
And, oh my, it was worth the wait.
Beautiful Claudia! My poppies are doing well this year too!~Hugs, Patti
Just beautiful, Claudia! I love perennials, too. And flowering shrubs.
Yours garen is picture perfect!
It is so lush and pretty. My poppies are doing great too!!! Lovely Claudia!
You have done a wonderful job Claudia! So beautiful and finally getting established. Ann
You have such a gentle heart Claudia. This post reminds me of one of my favorite greeting cards, that says “Please come in. I’d like you to meet my garden.”
Love it. We’re just buying a house that needs a lot of tender loving care in its “garden” areas. With Havasu’s long, very hot summers gardening is very difficult but we’ve managed to get some things to survive in pots while we’re renting. Looking forward to more substantial gardening when we get settled.
Well done Claudia, It’s so tempting to want instant gratification, but your patience has paid off…it all looks so beautiful.
xoxo
Karyn
I’m getting caught up on blog reading today, and you are first on my list! Those California poppies will be magnificent when they bloom, I can’t wait to see photos!
Claudia dear that was a lovely stroll through your garden of perennials. Each one so ready to give you everlasting enjoyment. Blissful…
Your beds are very pretty! I know what you mean we start with small plants here also. I don’t see the need for “instant satifaction” (sorry can’t think of the right word). Those huge 2 gallon pots. In the 8-9 years that we have been gardening here our beds have really grown, in plant size and bed size. This time of the year is so exciting as we watch everything emerge from the ground and bloom. I can’t wait to see your California poppies!
Beautiful! I adore all my perennials…they just keep on “giving”! Just found your lovely blog, and I’m a new follower…So nice to meet you!
Best,
Anne
So beautiful! Your poppies look so healthy. For some people they grow like weeds. For some reason, they choose not to reside in my flower garden. I just can’t seem to make them happy enough to stay. Your front porch looks delightful!♥
Hi Claudia,
Just popping over to say hello and see how you are doing. I think that the front of your porch looks like an English garden. I love how lush and pretty it is and yes, perennials are the way to go. They do take time and usually by the third year they start to take off.
Enjoy your flowers and garden.
hugs
Sissie
Your gardens are beautiful and frame your cottage home so nicely.
Your gardens are just gorgeous. I really love self-seeders and plants that increase by the year. I need to get some poppies. My mother always had poppies and I have never had any in my gardens. Now THAT is weird now that I think about it. xo Diana
Hi Claudia – I know just how you are feeling. I take a walk around my backyard each morning (if it isn’t raining) with my cup of coffee and see which plants are blooming now. Today I noticed the tulips have all lost their petals so they will need trimmed back soon.
I like to see each new bloom and there are certain prized plants
that feel like children. I remember when I first starting perennial gardening, I was told “first year sleep, second year creep and third year leap”. A good lesson in patience. J
Your garden is beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I am trying Poppies again and hope they do well.
Hugs,
Connie,
Hugs,
IN/FL
Claudia, your garden is really lovely! I’d love to be able to wander through it and see all the pretty things. I am a huge fan of shrubs and perennials, because once you plant them, they are there for forever. (or at least for a very long time.) I do plant a few annuals and herbs in pots on the deck each year. But all the things in the ground are permanent plants.
I have to work with a limited garden budget too. I’m saving up for the plant sale at the State University later this summer. I’ve got my eye on some iris. And yes, gardening does take patience. Two of my boxwoods were partially damaged during a particularly cold winter and it has taken them about 5 years to rebound. Other people might have just yanked them out, but I knew they would fill back in, if they were just given a bit of time.
I had poppies in TX. Need to plant some here. Your gardens are gorgeous.
Brenda
Claudia your gardens are just gorgeous!
Your gardens are lovely! I can tell that they are very happy with you!
BEAUTIFUL photos, Claudia…your gardens are gorgeous! You are being rewarded for all your tender loving care…
Your gardens are gorgeous! Like you, I wanted to design my own garden beds and patiently wait for results. It’s interesting how you find what works and what doesn’t. When it comes to planting perennials, the first year is a sleeper, the second a creeper and by the third year it’s a leaper! It’s also interesting to see what pops up where you didn’t plant anything. The lovely birds drop seeds all over the place!
Your garden is so beautiful, Claudia. It’s no wonder you get so homesick when away in the spring. I love perennials too, and am slowly adding them into the garden. Hopefully my thumb will stay green and my garden will fill in. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Hugs,
Jill
I couldn’t agree more, Claudia. I love my perennial gardens. Your gardens are so lovely. I hope they continue to give you years of pleasure!
Wow Claudia, the garden is looking fabulous dear, the color and plants are such a great cottage mix. The poppies in bud are beautiful, I don’t grow those but you’re giving me ideas even though I told myself no more plants this Spring because we’ll be leaving soon! Just realized, seeing yours, my lamium has not appeared this Spring – I usually have lots creeping around – pink and white! Perhaps the lack of cold last winter was not beneficial! I must buy more lamium…………….and more petunias, and another sweet potato for the mailbox bed…………oh no, I see more plant shopping after all!!!!
I’m in the mountains now however the weather is damp and misty so may not get good pics outdoors. Meeting up with bloggers for lunch today – should be fun!
Love, Mary
Perennials are the best..Can be shared with friends…don’t have to be replaced every year…What color are your poppies?? Mine are just about done..
Perennials are the best..Can be shared with friends…don’t have to be replaced every year…What color are your poppies?? Mine are just about done..