As you plan your flower garden, you will most likely want to plant plenty of perennials. Unlike annuals, which only bloom for one season, perennial flowers return year after year. When choosing perennials for your garden, you will need to know the USDA Zone for your area. You can check with your local Extension Office to learn the zone for your area. Or, check a zone map, such as the one that can be accessed from www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/
Many perennials bloom for only a short period of time. For this reason, many gardeners choose to plant a mixture of perennials and annuals in their gardens. If you are looking for long lasting perennials, however, there are plenty for you to choose from.
Bellflower
Bellflower (Companula)
Zones: 4-9
Bloom Span: Two months or more, depending on the species Growing Conditions: An easy to grow and long living plant. Grows best in areas with either cool summers or when grown in partial shade. Will self-sow.
Care: Mow or shear the plant to just a few inches if it begins to look ragged or tired after several blooms. This will help it grow back with a fresher appearance.
Best Species Choices: Blue Chips or Blue Clips (Campanula carpatica) and White Chips or White Clips (also Campanula carpatica)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Zone: 3-9
Bloom Span: Three months
Growing Conditions: Rudbeckia are native plants to many areas of North America, making them particularly easy to grow and adaptable to many different conditions. It does, however, prefer somewhat lean, well-drained soil in full sun.
Care: Cut Rudbeckia will last a long time in water. Deadheading spent blooms will help continue the blooming season. Rudbeckia are also an excellent choice for attracting butterflies, which are attracted to their flat petals. In addition, birds enjoy eating their seeds in the winter. They can be easily divided for multiplication.
Good Species Choices: Goldsturm (Rudbeckia fulgida
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Zones: 2-9
Bloom Span: Three to Four Months
Growing Conditions: Full sun; stems will become floppy if given too much shade
Care: Gaillardia’s provide attractive yellow petals with burgundy centers. Gaillardia will bloom all summer if provided full sun conditions without deadheading. Deadheading will, however, help keep the plant attractive in appearance. The plant itself does not live very long and, therefore, should be seeded or divided often.
Good Species Choices: Burgandy (Gaillardia), Goblin – dwarf variety (also Gaillardia), and Monarch (also Gaillardia)
Article provided by Amit, webmaster of Forklift training and Forklift certification.
