Growing Perennials

Whether you're a novice gardener or a green thumb master, climbing perennials are a beautiful addition to your yard that require minimal care. One such beauty for warmer climates is Pink Bower...

A Heliamphora plant may be any of 16 species of pitcher plants native to South America. These plants are known for their ability to capture and digest insects which allows them to grow in poor...

Pansies, a relative of the wild viola plant, are colorful cool-weather perennials that brighten gardens throughout the winter in the South, and spring and summer in the North. They have a romantic...

The agapanthus flower, also known as African Lily or Lily of the Nile, is a perennial flower that usually blooms blue or purple umbrella-like flowers during the summertime. If your agapanthus...

Variegated grasses make an attractive addition to any landscape and are sometimes arranged in gardens containing only decorative grasses. Many variegated grasses produce tall seed plumes later in...

Licorice is a hearty, versatile plant and its root has many uses. In addition to making a delicious candy, licorice root is useful in treating aches and pains, from sore throats and upset stomachs...

Whether you are planting spring bulbs like daffodils or summer blooming bulbs like dahlias, preparation of your planting area helps ensure success. While not technically bulbs, corms are perennial...

Irish moss (sagina subulata), a perennial plant and not a true moss at all, hardily survives freezing temperatures. In summer, it produces small white flowers, adding a nice touch to rock gardens,...

Container gardening adds depth and interest to any garden, patio, deck or porch. Perennials grown in pots can be overwintered and are easily maintained, since weeds are rarely found in them....

Hydrangeas are large, easy-to-care-for flowering perennial shrubs. They produce huge blossoms ranging from purple, white, green, and red and pink. Their ease of care and waves of long lasting,...

The dwarf gardenia (Gardenia radicans) is a 2- to 3-foot evergreen shrub suitable for small gardens, patios and indoor cultivation. It also is suitable for bonsai. The plant is hardy in U.S....

The bird of paradise is a tropical plant that thrives in warm regions that stay above 40 degrees F. Bird of paradise needs full sunlight and seems to prefer being somewhat pot-bound in a...

Variegated grasses are normal plants, but instead of being solid green, they have stripes of white, cream or yellow. True collectors of plants know the value of the variegated ones. They are...

Since Black-Eyed Susan perennials spend most of the fall blooming and thriving, not much fall care is necessary. These perennials are a wildflower that require little attention and can thrive in...

The Latin name for daylilies is "Hemerocallis." Translated, it means " beauty for a day." This popular perennial plant's flowers last only about 18 hours before they shrivel and die. But the flush...

Contrary to its name, reindeer moss is not a moss at all but a lichen that grows on rocks and in the sandy soil on the outcroppings of the forest. It was named after reindeer because it is a...

Bloodleaf plant (scientific name Iresine herbstii), also known as chicken gizzard, is a tropical perennial herb loved for its red leaves. It is often grown as an annual that blooms and sets seeds...

The waffle plant, or purple waffle plant (scientific name Hemigraphis exotica), has crinkled foliage that is glossy green and burgundy and has tiny white blossoms. It's a tropical perennial that...

Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients and wreak havoc on lawns and gardens. Fortunately, many products today kill weeds. Some products, though, pose a threat to other plants, including...

Blanket flower got its name for the way this perennial flower covers fields during the summer months. Some gardeners call this abundantly blossoming flower Indian flower and gardeners can easily...

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus), also known as the Chinese Bellflower, is a hardy perennial that's easy to grow, which makes it a perfect choice for the beginning gardener. They bloom...

Asparagus is a perennial that sprouts from the existing roots each spring. Though you can plant asparagus from seeds, it is time consuming, and you will have to transplant the crowns after one...

Ornamental grass is a popular choice for planting among gardeners and homeowners because of its low maintenance requirements. It is considered a "green" choice because it has the ability to...

Blue flax (Linum perenne) is a perennial wildflower with bright blue flowers that appear from early summer through fall. It is a prolific bloomer that is highly tolerant of both drought and cold...

Azaleas love the sun and love the moist warmth that much of the mid to lower United States offers. When growing these beautiful perennials in Illinois, a gardener must remember how the plant...

Tree peonies can be propagated by taking cuttings of their stems and preparing them for rooting and then planting. Unlike their cousins the herbaceous peonies whose foliage dies back yearly, tree...

Cannas are beautiful landscape plants that come in many different shades and varieties. They have large leaves that resemble banana tree leaves, and flowers that develop on either stalks or...

A peony is a flowering plant in the Paeonia genus and is noted for its abundant blooms in late summer. Peonies with a woody stem are known as tree peonies and may be propagated by grafting. This...

Sedum plants, also called stonecrop, are perennials with large, broccoli-shaped dusty pink blooms. They are ideal for late summer to fall gardens and will even retain an appealing appearance in...

Aloe vera plants are succulents that thrive in arid climates. They have thick, stalk-like leaves. Aloe vera plants are a practical addition to any home. If you suffer from a minor burn, scrape or...

Some gardeners call this beautiful summer flower campanula and others know it as bellflowers. Regardless of the name, adding this lovely bloomer to a sunny or partially sunny flower garden is sure...

Cannas are tropical plants with large, colorful leaves and even more colorful flowers. They are susceptible to frost, however, and they require special attention to help them survive through...

Heuchera is better known as coral bells or alum root. It is a perennial plant that has between 50 and 70 cultivars. Heuchera is grown as a ground cover in rock gardens and is perfect for hanging...

Hostas are showy plants, ideal for a shade garden. Grown for their spectacular foliage, hosta leaves are susceptible to pests, from slugs and snails to rabbits. Whether the hosta produces enormous...

Peonies are any plants in the Paeonia genus and are generally hardy perennials with a high tolerance for cold. They're known for their spectacular blooms in early summer, but they must be...

Hemerocallis, or day lilies, are popular garden plants loved for their beauty and wide variety of flower color, and also because they flourish with so little care. You may want to divide your day...

A member of the mint family, Russian sage is a pretty, fragrant perennial that displays small, lavender-colored or blue flowers for two to three months each year. Its upright, grayish stems and...

For best results, you should transplant an Asian bleeding heart plant in early autumn, after the hottest days of summer have passed. The bleeding heart is a perennial shade plant but can tolerate...

One of the easiest perennials to grow, the fern leaf peony is marked by its finely divided, fernlike leaves. When in bloom, this popular plant produces single, dark red petals. Peonies are...

Unlike most perennials, peony bushes do not need to be split periodically to thrive and flourish. In fact, they are happiest when planted once and then left alone. Well-established plants can...

When most people think of peonies, they picture giant blossoms in pink, magenta or white. But this perennial bush has five varieties, and the flowers come in cream, black, scarlet, coral, yellow,...

Peony bushes, a perennial garden favorite, provide lush blooms with very little maintenance. With lots of sun and good drainage, some peony bushes last 100 years. Transplanting weak or...

Aloe vera is a unique plant because of the thick gel that oozes out of its cut leaves. The gel is used to treat a variety of skin ailments and other medicinal purposes. Aloe is easy to grow but it...

Russian sage is a 3 to 5-foot tall perennial with purplish blue flowers and silver foliage. It has fragrant leaves and it blooms from mid-summer season to the fall. It is a good plant for fall...

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are not true lilies (Lilium). And even though daylilies are often referred to and sold as bulbs, they actually have tuberous root structures with fleshy roots that extend...

Staghorn ferns are a perennial plant native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa and the Americas. Staghorn ferns are distinct from other types of ferns in that they have a...

Lantana plants are evergreen shrubs or stemmed perennials that are members of the verbena family. There are over 150 varieties of lantana that are native to the warmer areas of the Americas and...

The ornithogalum dubium is a perennial bulb that bursts into bloom with bright tangerine colored flowers. This drop -ead gorgeous member of the lily family can be found in a variety of habitats,...

The butterfly bush is a beautiful and fragrant addition to any garden. This plant can grow up to 12 feet tall and 15 inches wide, depending on the variety, and is available in an incredible range...

The sempervivum is a perennial succulent frequently used as a ground cover or easy-to-care-for container plant. The word "sempervivum" means "to live forever," which is an appropriate label for...