Learning the art of perennial gardening is much like learning to do anything else. A certain amount of knowledge and skill is required to create a perennial garden but only by doing research into the types of perennial plants and actually making the attempt will this skill and knowledge grow blossom into that flower garden you always dreamed of. Learning the ins and outs of perennial gardening will take time but once you have the basics down your imagination is your only limit to creating a beautiful garden that blooms every year with a minimum amount of work.



The first thing to do before you even begin to dig in the dirt is do some research on perennial plants and gardening practices. Go to your local library or gardening center to find books related to this subject. You can also find a wealth of information on the internet about this type of gardening.

When it comes time to start selecting the plants for your garden the idea is to take the vision that you have in you head and transfer that to an actual living garden. By doing your research up front and selecting the flowers and plants that fit your vision you will see that vision come to life much quicker and easier. As such it is important that you make a list of those plants that you find most desirable during your research. This will help you not only arrange your perennial garden in a design that is most pleasing to you but it will also make it easy to find and purchase them at your local garden store.

Once you have done your research and have your design and the plants to go with it picked out it's time to start moving some dirt. First make sure you have the proper tools to do the job. A shovel, rake, hoe, and a set of sharp garden shears will do the job. Lay out your garden using either a garden hose or you can outline the area using spray paint.

Be sure to remove any and all weeds in your planting area. This will allow your new perennials to grow and thrive without competing against weeds which will overtake any newly planted area. You will also want to have a water supply close at hand to thoroughly water in your new plants.

When choosing your perennials you can purchase them in three main forms. As seeds, bulbs, or already started in pots. If you are patient and want to save some money then seeds or bulbs are the way to go. It will take longer to see the outcome of your work but it will be well worth it. If you are more of the instant gratification type then potted plants will let you see results much quicker, but at a slightly higher price. One of the nice things about potted plants is you can set them out and see how your design will look before planting, giving you the option of changing things before committing your plant to the soil.

When you begin planting your new plants be sure to follow the recommended guidelines for proper plant spacing and depth of hole. If you overcrowd your perennials chances are they will not grow to their full brilliance and will make your garden look overgrown. Once they are planted give them a good watering and before long you will have a beautiful garden of perennial plants and flowers.