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Where Do We Go From Here?

© Mary Henry

I am an acquisitive gardener like most true gardeners are. Actually, the very fact that I always want more plants may be my defining characteristic as a "true" gardener. As I stood in my yard recently and looked at all the apparently empty space (we have had no appreciable snow yet), I thought how nice it would be if all that space needed to be filled in spring. The truth of the matter is that the space is filled. It is filled to bursting in the growing season with perennials and my favorite annuals. It is so full that the new things I want to try must be severely limited as there is really no room.

When we first begin a garden, either as beginning gardeners or as new homeowners with empty space to fill, we tend to choose reliable, inexpensive varieties that will cover space quickly and for the least cash outlay. We may bring plants that we love from the last garden we had or heirlooms from grandma's garden or the increase from gardening friends who have divided their perennials. Sometimes the space is initially filled by sowing one of the regional wildflower mixes or "instant prairies" that are so popular. Now, after a few years, the space is filled. Our gardening will now be about choices - what will stay and what will move on to make room for other plants.

Though you could have a very beautiful garden with carefully planned minimal maintenance for many years after the garden is full, most of us are always looking for something new or better or just different.So, now that we've reached this plateau, where do we go from here? How do we decide which perennials to keep and which to replace? Here is how I choose. You may have additional ideas and I'd love to hear about them. I'm always looking for new techniques as well as new plants.

First, I consider how each plant has performed for the last few seasons. Has it been insect and disease free? If I get a no to both questions, I remove the plant and compost it. If only one of those questions got a no there still must be a compelling reason to keep the plant. Most of those reasons are emotional. You know the kind I mean - "It was Aunt Bessie's and she is no longer with us." or "I paid $$$$ for that and it just mustn't die!!!" or "My husband gave it to me with the ring tucked inside a flower when he proposed." Those get second and maybe even third chances. They get moved, coddled and prayed over. Sometimes, I have even placed them for adoption with a good gardener whose conditions are better than mine. I can always negotiate visitation rights.