| I am new to the area and I am a first time home owner and would like to fix up my yard but don't know the first thing to plant. On a very strict budget with wild cats in the neighborhood along with my Pomeranian. What can I plant that will not have to be replanted every year? |
| If you're on a really tight budget you can purchase seeds. Perennials grown from seed won't flower this year, but they'll be well established and ready to flower next year. Here's a list of my favorite hardy perennials: Coreopsis verticillata (Thread Leaf Coreopsis) Varieties: Moonbeam, Zagreb. Flower Color: Soft yellow, gold. Plant Size: 12 to 18 in. Planting Site: Full sun and good drainage. Landscape Use: Front of the border; specimen in a mixed border or for mass plantings. Comments: Season-long flower color; attracts butterflies; fine texture. Veronica x hybrida (Veronica) Varieties: Sunny Border Blue. Flower Color: Blue. Plant Size: 18 to 24 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide. Planting Site: Full sun and good drainage. Landscape Use: Specimen in the middle of a mixed border. Comments: Attract butterflies; long-flowering perennial; coarse texture. Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii (Rudbeckia) Varieties: 'Goldsturm'. Flower Color: Golden yellow. Plant Size: 24 to 36 in. tall. Planting Site: Full sun. Landscape Use: Specimen plant, massed group or wild flower garden, perennial border. Comments: Attracts butterflies; dried seedheads attract birds; heat and drought tolerant; true hardy perennial; flowers mid to late summer; perennial. Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) Varieties: Magnus, Bravado, White Swan. Flower Color: Pink-purple or white. Plant Size: 24-36 inches tall. Planting Site: Full sun. Landscape Use: Specimen in a mixed border; mass plantings; attracts birds and butterflies; cutflower. Comments: Heat- and drought-resistant; nonstop blooming from late June through September. Scabiosa columbaria (Pincushion Flower) Varieties: Butterfly Blue, Butterfly Pink, Pink Mist. Flower Color: Pink or lavender-blue. Plant Size: 24 inches. Planting Site: Full sun to partial shade. Landscape Use: Non-stop blooming summer through fall. Comments: Heat and disease resistant; prefers moist, well-drained site. Mixed border, mass plantings, or container; attracts butterflies. Best wishes with your new garden! |
