Black-eyed Susans are perennials that are great for the garden bed, and they can bloom year-round in any climate. Black-eyed Susan flowers attract pollinators, and their seeds make great treats for bees. One popular variety is ‘Goldsturm,’ which can reach heights of two feet. Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is another great perennial for a garden bed. They bloom when other flowers are starting to fade, and their dried flower stems provide winter interest.
Phlox paniculata
If you’d like to grow a fragrant and attractive perennial in your garden, try planting phlox. These plants have large tiered clusters of lavender-pink flowers that bloom from midsummer to early fall. The flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds. They have stiff stems and narrow lance-shaped leaves that remain mildew-free in summer.
Phlox likes full sun and a soil that contains a good amount of organic matter. In addition to a well-drained and moist soil, phlox also benefits from regular lime applications. Under normal circumstances, phlox plants do not need pruning, but they do benefit from deadheading every year to reduce unwanted reseeding. If you are planning to divide your plants, do so in the early spring, before the plants get too big.
This perennial has an upright habit and long-lasting flowers. The flowers have five-petaled petals with contrasting central eyes and are surrounded by deep green or variegated foliage. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. Their blooms are also beautiful in summer flower arrangements. To plant phlox in your garden, select plants with thick roots. They will settle more quickly and bloom earlier than the other varieties.
For the best Phlox paniculata plants for garden bed, choose one that is resistant to pests and diseases. There are a wide variety of varieties available. Some are tolerant of heat and can grow in areas of Texas where other varieties will fail. ‘Shortwood’ phlox grows to 48 inches tall and bears purplish-pink flowers. It is highly resistant to powdery mildew, making it a good choice for hot climates.
Tall sedum
Whether you have a small garden bed or a large one, tall sedum is one of the most low-maintenance perennials you can grow. Tall sedum is available in a wide range of colors and forms, and its waxy leaves and large flowers attract a variety of pollinators. The blooms on tall sedum can be a variety of shades of pink, burgundy, and chartreuse-yellow.
Sedum is an attractive plant, but it has a tendency to flop over when temperatures warm up. If you live in the central Great Plains, you can tame sedum by pinching back the plant before it blooms. Early blooming may result in early seedheads, so it’s best to cut back stems only when they have finished flowering. Sedum’s fleshy leaves will grow back in the spring.
Because tall sedum is drought-tolerant, it doesn’t require much water. A weekly or biweekly watering will be adequate. If you’re on a budget, you can plant tall sedums in groups to create a dramatic focal point in a garden bed. Tall sedum can be used in dry floral arrangements, and it looks stunning in late autumn. Tall sedum is best grown in full sunlight, but it will tolerate partial shade. It is also drought-tolerant and disease resistant once established.
Aside from tall sedum, these plants also look great in containers and hanging baskets. Their trailing habit makes them an excellent choice for pathway edging, and they can even spill over rock walls. They are easy to grow, tolerate heat, and provide nectar to pollinators. They are also excellent choice for a patio or garden bed. Tall sedums are not only beautiful, but also pollinator-friendly.
Russian sage
Native to Asia, Russian sage is a perennial shrub with low water requirements and an extended blooming period. The silvery, long stems and small, lavender-like blooms of Salvia yangii are attractive, but the plant isn’t lavender-scented. It grows up to 4 feet tall and three feet wide. Read on to learn more about this beautiful shrub.
A perennial plant, Russian sage makes a beautiful accent in the garden. This shrub pairs well with grasses and traditional flowers. Plant it in mass plantings or as a hedge to fill in small spaces. Its upright habit and blue blooms will brighten any garden. It tolerates dry conditions and is relatively pest and disease-free. If you have a drought-prone area, Russian sage is one of the best plants for garden beds.
If you’re not sure about the best growing conditions, you can start by planting seed in late spring. Seeds are best sown between six to eight weeks before the last frost date. To accelerate germination, you should pre-chill the seeds in a refrigerator for 42 days. Ensure that the soil is well-drained before you transplant them. If you’re planting seed in a container, use a moist, well-draining mix.
While Russian sage is a perennial, you should make sure it receives proper supplemental water each week. It should have a temperature range from six to nine degrees Fahrenheit. In extreme drought conditions, Russian sage needs additional watering. You can overwinter it indoors in a container. However, keep in mind that this plant will dry out more quickly than it would in the ground.
Siberian iris
A beautiful perennial flower, Siberian irises grow best in full sun to partial shade. They need average moisture and pH levels. Siberian irises can tolerate partial shade and full sun, but they do not do well in consistently wet soil. They are easy to transplant and divide. Plant rhizomes eighteen to twenty-four inches apart, one inch below the soil surface. Mulch the beds to retain moisture, and remove dead plant debris in late fall.
Fertilize Siberian irises every year. Fertilize them as you would any other perennial. Fertilize them with high nitrogen levels to encourage foliage growth, but not much for the flowers. Use compost or manure with high nitrogen levels. Phosphorus is the second number on the NPK label, so fertilizers rich in this element are best for planting in garden beds.
When planting Siberian irises in your garden, remember to sow the seeds during late fall or early winter. Soak the seeds in water for 5 days. You will need to divide the seedlings if you want the flowers to grow larger and more prolifically. They will flower the following spring and continue to grow through the summer. A single seedling will be ready to transplant once the temperatures are right.
Aside from its beautiful flowers, Siberian iris makes an excellent cut flower. For best results, pick buds early in the morning, just before they start opening. The iris will continue to open in the vase within a few hours. Store the stems in a bucket of tepid water, but avoid direct sunlight. If the stems are still green, re-cut them a half-inch above the original cut. Once the roots are rooted, they can be transplanted into 9cm pots or rigid plug trays.
Black-eyed Susan
One of the easiest flowers to grow, black-eyed susans can be grown in a wide variety of soil types. They thrive in full sun, though some varieties can tolerate partial shade. Regardless of soil type, black-eyed susans should be placed in a location that allows for good air circulation and good drainage. Despite their reputation, black-eyed susans are able to handle heat and are generally a great choice for garden beds.
Although the plant can handle some water-related issues, it is also highly resistant to fungus. It has very low water needs and is often tolerant of drought. In addition to that, it is drought-tolerant, which makes it ideal for gardens with little or no water. A basic remedy to keep black-eyed susans healthy is a spray of Neem oil. This will prevent many problem insects from eating the plant.
The best time to plant black-eyed Susan seeds is when the soil temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, this means planting them in April or May. Although they can grow in partial shade, they do not reliably bloom. Soil conditions should be moist, but they don’t need to be rich. In addition, you can start Black-eyed Susan seeds indoors six weeks before the last frost date. Seedlings need to be planted at least two to three inches apart, and the soil should be loose but not soggy.
Caladium
Caladiums grow from tuberous corms that vary in size. Larger tubers produce more leaf buds, but smaller ones won’t grow. Caladiums will do best with partial shade, though some new cultivars have been bred to grow in full sunlight. They’re best grown in morning and late afternoon shade, where their foliage is most colorful. In a shade garden, caladiums can provide a great backdrop for an interesting border or other flowering plants.
The earliest flowering caladiums can be started indoors from tubers. To ensure a healthy plant, choose a pot that is just the right size for the tuber. Afterward, step the plant up by dividing its roots. Stepping it up is tricky because too much sunlight will dull the foliage, and too little sunlight can stunt the growth of the plant. To keep your caladiums happy and healthy, use pots that are large enough to accommodate their tubers.
Pete loves caladium varieties. He likes Fannie Munson, which has large pink leaves. Rosebud and White Queen are also favorites. The White Queen’s foliage changes color from pink to white, with new leaves forming on top of the old leaves for a two-tone effect. Finally, the compact Florida Sweetheart is one of Pete’s best plants for garden beds. The foliage is eight inches tall, making it an excellent choice for full sun gardens.
