Perennials- A Few of My Favorites

I don't know about you but I am a Perennial lover!  I can't get enough of them.  I am not a structured gardener, very informal, and I love when the perennials spread out, intertwine and take over a bed, within reason of course. 

Here's a few of my favorites:

Golden Ragwort, I've only had this one a couple years and it really comes to life in early spring while nothing else is blooming and things are just beginning to fill in with bright yellow flowers lighting up a variety of spots in the garden. 

It spreads out like crazy.  I also love that!  One of my favorite things about perennials is how easily they spread and thrive. 


Russian Sage, every house I've ever had has included this lovely perennial.  It mixes well with a variety of other perennials and with it's wispy, feathery appearance it blends well with other, more structured plants such as purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susan's and Knockout Roses.  Really great combo's. 

After clearing out the debris last fall this is what I've got.  I love how easily it spreads out.  See all those little babies popping up.  All I've got to do is dig them up and plant them somewhere else and I've got a continual supply of new plants. 

Alright, this one's not a perennial but I tend to favor bushes that send out little "babies" as well that I can dig up and plant somewhere else.    This Lilac Bush is the perfect example of just that.  A few others that work for this are Dappled Willow and Little Henry's.  I've got transplants of all of these throughout my yard.

I found little "babies" growing around the outskirts of the bush so I dug them up and planted them.  I lost one but the other is slowly growing in.  It's tiny, but going to bloom beautifully. 

Finally, for today, Purple Coneflowers one of a few natives for my area that I just love.  (Shasta Daisies and Black-Eyed Susan's are wonderful too).  They multiply like crazy, attract birds and bees and they're gorgeous!  What's not to love.

They are a little finicky when it comes to transplanting, they really don't like it, but hang in there.  The parent plant might look dead but just keep watering and be patient.  I can't even tell you how many times I've planted these little buggers only to have the parent plant look dreadful for the rest of the season (and sometimes even die).  Many people want to dig them up and return them but I'm telling you, the next set you plant will probably do the same thing.  Rather than return, keep them watered and give them till the following spring (you usually have a year warranty anyhow so give them time).  I can almost guarantee that you'll have babies that will bloom the next spring.  That's just how they roll!

The largest plant in the following picture is a parent plant, dug up from somewhere else in my yard.  It wilted up and looked horrible after I planted it and for the remainder of that season.  The following year it came back, bloomed beautifully and produced baby plants.  This spring there are babies everywhere and my parent plants have doubled in size.  It's filling in beautifully.  Remember, patience is key, it's not going to happen overnight.

I am so excited for spring and hope I have some time to get out there and get things cleaned up.  I've got a to-do list a mile long but know this is not the year to get any of it accomplished (not with "The Chirping Frog" project").  I do need to carve out some time to do some clean-up.  Do you have any great plans this year for your gardens?