Looking for easy care perennials..

19 years ago

Anyone have any good ideas on what perennials would

work well in a city backyard? (I plan on removing

the dandalions and ivy this year).

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Comments (4)

pitimpinai
19 years ago
These are some of my favorites for sunny area and very easy to grow. Some can be in partial shade:

Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida
Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'
Liatris 'Kobold'
Salvia (Many vaireties)
Asters (My favorites are Aster frikartii 'Monch' & 'Flora's Delight')
Clematis
Perovskia (Russian sage)
Echinacea purpura
Alchemilla mollis
Achillea 'Coronation Gold'
Anthemis kelwayii
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Don't forget to plant some shrubs to give structure and long interest:

Lilac
Viburnum
Hydrangea arborescence 'Annabelle'
Cornus alba sibirica, Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' or 'Ivory Halo', Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Flame'
Caryopteris
Dwarf conifers or full size if you have room.

The choice is endless. Oh, don't forget tucking in bulbs in any space you have left. Your garden to have a very long blooming season.

Happy gardening. :-)
stinkypink
19 years ago
The words "city" and "ivy" make me wonder if you're contending with dense building shade for at least a good part of the year. If you are, things like heuchera, hosta, anemone, cimicifuga, aconitum and ligularia might be up your alley. Peonies are super-easy too, but they'll only bloom well if you have decent sun. What are your conditions? Do you have trees? Tall buildings nearby, especially to your south? Limited space? None of the above? Nice soil? Sand? Clay? It'll be easier to make good suggestions if we know.
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I'm in the same zone as your mom..only in northern Indiana. Here's my suggestions: Salvia--Salvia should be deadheaded to look it's best but I don't always get to mine and it does just fine. Nepeta--cat mint. always does great and looks lush. Perennial geraniums...Does usually need to be cut back to the ground in July so it can relief but will survive without it. Pasque Flower...great plant for early spring blooms...blooms early April for me. Has interesting seed heads. Cone flowers--super easy...and now come in lots of colors. Gaura--dainty flowers that move in the wind Oriental & asiatic lilies..plant and forget them to be rewarded with fabulous blooms. I especially love the oriental ones because they smell so fabulous. Russian Sage...grey green folliage with purple spikey flowers. There is a miniature version that stays more contained. Butterfly bush...great summer color. Dies back to the ground every year. Annabelle Hydrangea...the white hydrangea is the only snowball type hydrangea that is reliable for me. The others are a pain in the @@@ to get to bloom.
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I don't know if this will work in your zone but a very unique perennial which acts like an annual and blooms all the time is called lamium. We have some pink (it also comes in yellow and perhaps even white) in our shade garden. It can either act like a ground cover or grow large enough to be noticed very easily. It is also easy care and transplants easily. It definitely fits for low growing plants. Since I have 3 boys, I can tell you that they take abuse easily and still keep growing :)
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You could have repeat-blooming daylilies underplanted with daffodils and wood hyacinth. That would give you bloom starting mid-March, and the daylily foliage is attractive when it's healthy. What you choose sort of depends on whether you want lots of blooms during the months you use the patio, or are trying for year-round interest. Annuals are the best choice for constant summer bloom. With perennials you mostly have to try to plan for succession bloom.
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applefan
19 years ago
I like all of the perennials mentioned and they cause me very few problems...I think the most indestructible has to be the Sedum Autumn Joy...and it's really pretty for a long period too...
Jean
weedygardens
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks everyone for the many suggestions.
I already have four peonies plants that
bloom beautifully every year.They get a full
dose of afternoon sun.I can see a few little red buds
coming out of the ground already.
I am in the city,but I still get a half day of full sun
in the yard.The ground here is pretty good too.
I am surprised with the all the varieties
that survive in our area.The Sedum Autumn Joy may be
just what I'm looking for;Pretty... And Indestructable!
Thanks again,and any more advice is welcome.

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Looking for easy care perennials..

Comments (4)

pitimpinai

stinkypink

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Looking for easy care perennials..

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pitimpinai

stinkypink

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