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Gardeners’ Forum: “Perenial Flower Garden”

• Perenial Flower Garden

  Posted by Bob Smith on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 12:00 AM AST

  Hello I live in rural Alberta in a fairly dry climate, but I have access to water to water my flowers. I would like to start a new rock garden in my yard and plant mainly perenials. Any suggestions for what to plant. I don't mind doing the work but I would like to plant things that would eventually do well without my help. Thanks

  • re: Perenial Flower Garden

    Posted by Pam Stephens on Saturday, February 10, 2001 12:00 AM AST

    I too live in Alberta and gardening here can be quite a challenge. I have found that the best resource for Alberta is Lois Hole's Perrenial Gardening book. You can find it at any garden centre for about $20. The plants listed in the book are specific for Alberta and the information in it is wonderful. I consider my book to be my 'garden bible'!

  • re: Perenial Flower Garden

    Posted by blueheron83 on Saturday, February 10, 2001 12:00 AM AST

    I am a resident of Ontario(zone 6). I have a large rock garden. I get best results with the following perennials: Hens and Chickens/Creeping Phlox/ Miniature Roses/Creeping Sedum/Irish Moss/Creeping Jenny/Creeping Thyme/Snow on the Mountain/Sweet Woodruff/Ajuga. Most of these are self-sufficient, easy to split up and transplant, will tolerate both sun and shade and are long-lived. Good luck with your new garden.

  • re: Perenial Flower Garden

    Posted by Josie on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 12:00 AM AST

    I live in southern Manitoba and am a new gardener as well. This will only be my second summer for planting. I too have discovered Lois Hole's books and read them daily. They are the find of a lifetime. Read them! I started with perennials: Shasta Daisy, Black-eyed Susan, Poppies (Iceland and Oriental) Peonies, Coneflower, Bellflowers, Blanketflower, Blue flax, Garden Phlox, Tickseed, Monkshood etc. Try any of these, they all did well in just one season of growing, even if a few didn't flower. This summer will be very exciting.

  • re: Perenial Flower Garden

    Posted by Chris on Wednesday, April 4, 2001 7:06 PM ADT

    In addition to the plants mentioned here, also try some oriental grasses, such as blue oat grass, blue fescue, verigated ribbon grass (careful with this one, it spreads everywhere), feather reed grass and fountain grass. There are also a lot of native prairie species that would be suitable.

  • re: Perenial Flower Garden

    Posted by Denise Barteaux on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:25 PM ADT

    I live in Nova Scotia and I want to start a perenial flower bed. Please advise which perenials would be best.

  • re: Perenial Flower Garden

    Posted by Doreen on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 12:07 PM ADT

    I have a perenial flower in one of my beds. I have had it several years and it is flourishing and beautiful. My problem is I have no idea what it is called. The whole plant is no more than 1 foot in diameter. The leaves are fairly large and shaped similar to a Maple leaf bur it is a deep burgandy colour. It is in bloom now. The flowers are on a tall thin stem about 12 inches above the leaves and are small bell shaped deep rose to a paler rose colour down and around the top 10 inches of the stem. Can you identify this plant for me. Thank you in advance.

  • re: Perenial Flower Garden

    Posted by Brenda Wood on Friday, July 4, 2008 2:19 PM ADT

    I think you may be referring to Heuchera or Coral Bells which comes in a variety of colours including the burgundy.