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Perennials

A Beginner's Guide to Growing Zucchini and Summer Squash
How to grow all kinds of summer squash. How-to, tips, common plant diseases, and links to great squash resources on the web!
Agastache
Agastache is a genus of mostly aromatic plants with small flowers in spikes.
UPDATED: Favourite Seed Companies
A short review of some of my favourite seed companies, now all online. Updated to include the web address of the indispensable JL Hudson company URL among others.
A Permacultural Chicken Garden
How I manage chickens in my garden. My methods are purely selfish -- I make no extra work for myself. Instead, my chickens are the worker bees, keeping weeds and grass down, providing compost, and, of course, entertainment
Deer - Not as Stupid as they Look
A gardeners outlook on deer including testimonials about deer barriers, gardening with deer and a little bit about the future of Perennials at Suite101.com.
Stretching for Gardeners
A basic guide to stretching for gardeners, based on what muscle groups will need attention before and after each gardening session.
Erodiums - Heron's Bill or Stork's Bill
Heron's Bills, like their close cousins the hardy geraniums, are extremely versatile. Read how to grow them, how to use them in your landscape and view a bunch of really nice pictures of them too.
How to Grow and Care for Swamp Roses (Rose Mallows)
The dinner plate hibiscus offers extremely large flowers for such a hardy plant. They're so easy to grow that an article on how to grow them is almost not necessary. Think of this as a great big advertisement for them.
The Best of the Fig Discussions
Highlights from 3 years of discussions, featuring the best tips that readers have left for future fig growers
Keeping Blue Grass Blue
The bluest of blue fescues needn't be elusive. Learn how to plant them, combine them with other things to show off their blueness, and keep them from browning out in the middle like so many older patches of the stuff.
Foxglove Fingers and Rootbeer Pinks
How much of your garden design is influenced by the gardens you remember as a child? Does your ideal garden setting reflect childhood experiences?
Growing Alstroemerias
How to grow Peruvian Lilies, also known as Alstroemerias. You might be familiar with these from flower shops. They're one of the longest lasting cut flowers available, and in a wide range of colours. They're also quite easy to grow in the garden. This article will tell you how.
Insect Mysteries
A short story of insect appreciation
Kirengeshoma (Yellow Wax Bells)
If you crave a large, robust plant for your shaded perennial garden, this may be for you.
Meadow Rue (Thalictrum)
How to choose, grow and enjoy Meadow Rue in the garden.
Shooting Stars
By staring at the sky long enough during a spring evening, one might be rewarded with the sight of a shooting star or two. Spending several daylight hours in a prairie or open woods during the spring could also yield shooting stars--hundreds of them, of the plant variety.
Petasites
These early-bloomers are great in the wet, shaded or cool garden. Their flowers are amazing and not at all subtle. Their leaves are large and bold. This article will show you how to grow them and provide some really nice snapshots as well.
Peonies, part one
All about peonies! How to grow them, what kinds of problems to watch for, which varieties are nice and some great links on the subject.
A Dyers Perennial Garden
A list of plants suitable for growing in the perennial dyer's garden.
Sanguinara - BLOODROOT
How to grow and enjoy this wonderful Eastern wildflower.
Shoehorning
Shoehorning: What is Shoehorning? Is there a support group for Shoehorning? Have Shoehorned: the next level.
The History of the Christmas Tree
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging
Not only green when summer's here
but also when 'tis cold and drear
H is for Heleniums
The burnt orange, bright yellow and deep mahogany tones of these flowers make them high on my list of Autumn-flowering perennials. If you are open to these colours, I recommend them as something very easy to grow.
Pretty Perennial Lawn Weeds
Weeds can be wonderful in your lawn. I have described and pictured a few favourite types in this article.
Plant Exploration
A short timeline of plant exploration with great links on the topic.
G is for Gunneras
Gunneras come in many shapes and sizes, not just huge! Read about the different kinds and how to grow them.
Euphorbias: Nice to Look at
An overview of Euphorbias for the garden and otherwise, as well as toxicity information
Vapid Gardens
Maybe vapidity is just a figment of the imagination, but I doubt I will regret writing any of these things in the morning.
F is for Farfugium
A close up and personal with Farfugiums. How to grow them, how to combine them with other perennials, and a listing of varieties.
Alliums - the Ornamental Onions
Topic of the Week - Alliums. From the open golden stars of Allium moly to the tight purple clusters of Allium giganteum, ornamental onions are great in the garden.
E is for Echinacea
Coneflowers are great in the garden for many reasons. Read about what makes them so great, and how to grow them.
Perennial Rusts
This fungus in diguise is actually a very interesting item indeed. Learn and enjoy, then wipe it out into oblivion using the tips revealed in this article.
Deschampsia - Tufted Hair Grass
Deschampsia - take a look at these attractive ornamental grasses! They have larger flowers than you might expect.
Cimicifuga (Bugbane)
Cimicifuga - those kings of the back border and beyond
Baptisia
BAPTISIA - Called the False Indigo, or Greater Lupine, these plants are easy to grow and well worth their spot in the garden.
A is for Acanthus
Acanthus mollis - Bear's Breeches. Just what kind of breeches does a bear wear anyway?
Do your plants have PNDS?
Learn about Perennial Nutrient Deficiencies and indentify their manifestations.
Feeding your Perennials -- Compost and Fertiliser
What is the difference between fertiliser and compost? This and a few other very dumb springtime questions are answered.
Off-Colour Remarks
Comments about colour and the use of it in the garden.
Not Un-Ornamental Grasses
Grasses started out as being weeds, then they became clipped lawns, and now they have come full circle, growing in flower beds. The only difference is, we have stopped weeding them out, generally speaking anyway
Perennial Article Index
An A to Z list of articles in the Perennials topic area on Suite101. You can scan the list by common or latin names.
A River Runs Through It
Streams running through gardens can pose problems as well as benefits.
Ginger Lilies
Semi-hardy plants such as the Ginger Lily might be easier to grow than they look. Read about Hedychiums and how to care for them here.
What tree did YOU fall out of?
Everyone fell from a tree. What tree did you fall out of?
Planning a Perennial Border
In short, how to plan your perennial border, from mapping it out, analyzing your space, to figuring out what you want from the border and choosing plants.
Perennial Punctuation Points
Originally this article started out as being about Spireas, but I abandoned ship about 1/4 way in and started writing something I'm much more interested in - Punctuation Points.
Pincushions and Friends
The perennial plant of the year and it's buddies are on-track for summer gardening. How to grow them, how about them, how d'ja like 'em?
Madagascar Buttercup
The story of the Clematopsis flower, a mysterious member of the family Ranunculaceae
Creating a Driftwood Dune
How to create a beach-like setting in your garden, using driftwood, sand, crushed shells, found objects, and the right plants. Can this be done without being totally tacky? We'll see!
New Year's Resolutions
What am I to do in this new age? Maybe write a list, and see if it sticks!
Sweet Peas - Beginner Style!
Growing sweetpeas is easy but there are a few secrets that will help you get them growing well
Season's GRUNTINGS and Double-digging
How to dig safely and effectively, what tools you might need, and how to double-dig
Hardy Cyclamen
Cyclamen are the quintessential woodland plant. Read this for tips on growing them, and lots of links to more cyclamen information.
Echiums
One hit wonders? Or monocarpic beauties? Read all about 4 Echiums here.
Toad Lilies still plugging along
One old and renowned Japanese gardener in Vancouver once told me that the way to design with Toad Lilies is to plant it, see which way it arches, then decide where to place your rocks and your moss.
Prunella Uber Alles
Prunellas - what they are, what they like, and what they look like too!
Poinsettias
Information on how to care for your poinsettia, how to make it bloom again next year, the origin of the plant, and how it got to be a holiday plant.
Mushroom Spotting
Spotting mushrooms in the garden! Some common types, how to encourage them, general info and links to fungal resources.
Lupines!
Why lupins are so good, the ways in which they are pretty (let me count the ways) and also how to grow them, of course.
The Rabbit of the Plant Kingdom
An article on Water Hyacinths from historical and current perspectives, with links to Eichornia sites and a discussion area.
Striking Cuttings - SUMMER BLOOMERS
How to take cuttings off perennials and root them in pots or flats.
Wisterias -- Beginner Style!
Wisterias can be easy to grow, if you keep on top of their rampant growth that is! Read about choosing, training and pruning this world-wide favourite vine.
Carnations in Tarnation
How to grow Carnations, from the bottom up, along with a source list of seed suppliers, how to divide, some very good links and more
Delphiniums
Tips on growing the QUEEN OF THE BORDER, including planting, staking, deadheading and how to propagate so you get more DELPHINIUMS than you ever dreamed of
Lichen Spotting
Lichen spotting from the vantage point of a lichen enthusiast.
Saving your Geraniums
Learn how to keep your geraniums over the cold season. Here, three methods are outlined, and there are links to more geraniums information.
My Favourite Pillows - by Larry
Rolling over in the garden bed, you might find you need a better perennial pillow pretty soon.
In Search Of... The Personal Garden Tour
Ever wondered what's behind the fence at my place? Here's your chance to find out, and following links to the personal tours of other gardeners, all over the world.
A garden riddle for the asphyxiated
A common element of growth, often overlooked but always present - the more the better , by Larry Gnome
Leaving Behind your Planting Mistakes - Rental Style
What was that Grade 10 History Class Moral? It was repeated again and again; really I should remember this.... Here is a list of planting mistakes I have learnt from, and am glad to leave behind. I hope you will share some of your planting mistakes, so that we can all share and learn in our blunders somehow.
Larry's Perennial Violet Tour
The first guest article by Larry Gnome, and in it he tells us all about pansies and their more diminutive cousins the VIOLAS. Many are fully hardy and mostly perennial and make a very nice addition to early spring, summer and fall gardens.
How to Divide Perennials
A primer on how and when to divide perennials, beginner style!
Moving On - Transplanting Tips
Transplanting trees, shrubs and perennials, in a rush, possibly at 'the wrong time of year', but almost always at the end of the month.
Urgent News for West Coast Gardeners: Tomato Late Blight
ATCHUNG PULL OUT YOUR TOMATOES -- NOW! A few facts about lateblight, how it spreads, and how you can help to control it, with links to tomato growing information.
All the Poop on Pets in the Garden
or...how Pets become perps when they poop in the partierre How to grow a pet-tolerant and pet-friendly garden, with a list of growable plants that your pets will love, and some tips on dealing with the poop.
Son of Fall Perennial Tips
The conclusion of the two-part series on caring for your perennials in the fall. Includes a list of favourite fall-bloomers and a step-by-step on how to divide.
Passionflowers
There has fallen a splendid tear From the passion-flower at the gate
Fall Perennial Tips
mulching, weeding, deadheading, preparing new perennial beds and MORE!
Canadian Internet Resources eh?
The best gardening internet resources for Canadians, complete with research tools, general gardening sites, and places where you can ask questions about your garden problems.
Companion Planting
Companion plants, the theory behind them, and some really great websites to get you started.
Ornamental Oreganos and Marjorams
A few ornamental origanums with background on how to grow them and what makes them tick.
Perennials for Moist Soil - Petasites to Z
The third in a series about planting in moist sites, plus great Moist Perennial Sites
Perennials for Moist Soil H to Peltandra
The second in a series about moist soil.
Perennials for Moist Soil A to G
A list of plants for wet soil, and their descriptions. Includes further information about gardening in wet sites.
Battling Gypsy Moths - Organically - Part 2
Battle them part 2
Ideal Garden
A tour of an ideal garden
Battling Gypsy Moths - Organically
Get rid of them part 1
Buzzing on Bergamot
A breif overview of the genus Monarda
Something to Click Upon
A guide to websites disseminating perennial information, for your summertime perusing pleasure.
Worms are Eating my Root Vegetables! - Answers
A common gardening question, with answers revealed.
Perennials that are good for you
Echinacea, Burdock and Valerian - how to grow them, enjoy them and utilize their medicine
The Parts of a Perennial
What parts your perennials have and how they use them to their benefit.
More Perennial Tips for Summer
Watering, mulching, pinching, planting and cutting flowers are featured.
Doing in the aphids - organically
Tips for getting rid of aphids in your garden, on street trees and a few points about beneficial insects in the garden.
Perennial Tips for Summer
A few things you can do in your garden to help the perennials get the most out of the warm weather
Garden Gnomes and Anti-Gnomes
Gnomes in history and a present day look at kitsch in the garden
Deer-Resistant Perennials Part 3
Outlines deer-resistant perennials for sun, and loads of links on the deer-resistance topic.
Umbelliferae in the Garden
A listing of my favourite umbellifers, and an explanation of why they are so important in any garden
Deer-Resistant Perennials Part 2
Outlines deer-resistant perennials for shade.
Easy Garden Rainbows - Blue
True blue in the garden - difficult to acheive. Many plants sold as blue are actually purple or violet. This list of plants and instructions for growing lists some truly blue flowers to join part of the Easy Garden Rainbows series of articles
Deer-Resistant Perennials Part 1
A guide to deer-resistant perennials and laying the groundwork of a deer-tolerant garden.
The Fascinating World of Polygonaceae
There are many polygonums that can be grown in the garden. This article includes information on Fallopia, Eriogonum, Rhubarb and Persicarias, and perhaps, the plant you are searching for information on today...
Rodgersia
Rodgersias, what they are, what they're really good at doing, how to grow them, and great links.
Easy Garden Rainbows - Yellow
Yellow in the garden, and a listing of top yellow-flowering plants.
Diascia (Twinspur)
A review of Diascias and what you can expect from them, with excellent links.
Gardening Tips from my Mother
Tidbits of advice on gardening my mother has given me over the years. From simple to technical and beyond to life-skills in the garden, I hope everyone can enjoy some of my mother's advice.
Eupatorium (Agrimony)
A review of Eupatoriums, some great types, nice pictures and directions on how to grow all.
Easy Garden Rainbows - Orange
A top ten list of easy to grow orange-flowered plants, and reasons why orange is such a hot colour in the garden.
Bleeding Hearts and Dutchman's Breeches
All about bleeding hearts, Dutchman's breeches, Squirrel corn and many other members of the Dicentra genus of perennials.
Easy Garden Rainbows - Red
Easy Rainbows is a 7-part series recommending easy-to-grow flowers in each colour of the rainbow. Red Flowers focusses on annuals, perennials and vines.
Jerusalem Artichokes - Beginner Style!
How to grow these tasty sunflower relatives -- their roots are delicious and easy to grow!
Sambucus - Elderberries for the Garden
Elderberries in cultivation have come a long way in the last 10 years, even though they've been around just about forever. Come look at some of the fine, new cultivars, read about how to grow them, or ask a question or two about anything you fancy.
Grafting 102
The second in a two-part series on simple grafting techniques for home gardeners. Includes lots of links on grafting.
Community Gardening
Community Gardens are a great way for people in the city to have their own plot, as well as join up with a group of gardeners from their area. Find about how to join one, or even start your own, in this article.
Grafting 101
The first in a two-part series in simple grafting techniques for the home gardener.
Hanging Gardens - Beginner Style!
Learn all about how to create moss hanging baskets, for sunny sites or shade. Also, information on drought tolerant alternatives to the regular water-hungry baskets.
Pretty Thistles
How to select and grow thistles in your garden.
West Coast Groundcovers - Mass Planting Where no Plant has Grown (well) Before
A groundcover guide - with information on planting, spacing, caring for, and groundcover links!
Growing Onions for Beginners, and Popular Varities for the Garden
How to grow onions and a list of popular gardening varieties.
Geranium Cuttings - Beginner Style!
How to start geranium cuttings, simply explained.
Species Rhododendrons
A look at some of the species rhododendrons.
Shamrocks - Growing Oxalis
How to grow Shamrocks and Oxalis plants indoors and out. Shamrock history and origins. Part of the Suite101 St. Patricks Day Event
10 Lovely Campanulas
A carillion of bellflowers is featured here on this close look at this hardy and adaptable group of plants. 10 top species are highlighted. Links to more info and pictures abound.
Saving Seeds - Beginner Style
A beginner's guide to saving seeds. There are the basics here, with links to saving seeds of specific types, special seed treatments, and more!
Growing Potatoes -- Beginner Style!
Grow potatoes organically, in ground or in pots PLUS Lots of Links for the Potassium Starved.
Trees in Urban Settings
Some key points to consider when choosing trees for the urban landscape
Rotation Planting - Beginner Style
A beginners guide to rotation planting - one of the basics of the successful organic garden.
Walnut Trees and Soil Toxicity
Black Walnut trees exude a toxin that can make growing plants underneath them difficult. Learn what plants will in this article.
Bareroot Roses - beginner style!
How to plant the roses that come in those little boxes. They are cheap, and some will tell you they're easy, but there are a few tips and tricks that are good to keep in mind.
Rooftop Gardening
Rooftop Gardening for beginners. An introduction to what makes rooftop gardens work, why they are so important, and a growing compendium of rooftop gardening resources and links.
The Year 4696 and Gardening by the Moon
Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the Lunar Year. Like many agrarian cultures, the Chinese have developed a natural calendar, linked with the earth and it's seasons. Read about it and also a few tips for gardening by the lunar cycle.
Big Leaf Hydrangeas: A Beginner's Guide to Planting, Growing, Pruning, and Changing Flower Color
Growing Hydrangeas made simple, with directions on planting, pruning and propagating, and a key to changing the colour from pink to blue or blue to pink.
Plant ID 101
A list of sites to help with plant identification, and links to places offering plant ID quizzes for fun AND profit.
Indoor Seeding - beginner style!
How to start seeds, the benefits of starting early, and lots of links to more seed information and lovely seed companies on the web.
Hollyhocks for Beginners: How to Plant and Grow these Easy Flowers
Hollyhocks are easy to grow but there are a few tricks to get them to bloom properly and do well.
Welcome to the City! - URBAN GARDENING
Introductory Article, explaining the goals of this topic area on Suite101.
Trees in Urban Settings
Points to consider when choosing trees for the Urban Landscape
Peat Moss Sucks
Peat moss - to use or not to use, that is the question...
Growing Figs: Annual Care, Tasty Varieties, and Helpful Resources
How to grow figs - beginner style! - includes the year in the life of a fig plus a varietal selection guide for gardeners all over.
Rotting Logs
Learn how to take advantage of rotting logs and woodland environments in your garden, from a woodland mollusk.
The Millenium Mullein
Who said Latin is a dead language?
How to read latin names, with useful links, and an area especially for Botanical Bloopers.