Want some fresh ideas for reviving your garden? Then take a minute to explore the great suggestions of Disney bedding plant specialist Heather Will-Browne as she provides an in-depth lesson on perennials. In short, perennials offer an easy way to add stunning color and lush texture to the garden. Unlike annuals -- which bloom only for a single season -- perennials die at the end of the season and rebloom the following year. The number of years that a plant will continue to bloom varies from one plant variety to the next. Will-Browne says that although color is the main priority for many people, it's important not to forget about texture. Thick, soft leaves (figure A) and tall, willowy grasses (figure B) make great backdrops for bright hues and also provide dimension and balance. Height and size should also be taken into account. Be sure you know how large a plant will become so that it's not lacking space later. When dealing with plants of different heights, it generally works best to keep taller plants in back and shorter varieties in front. Once you're ready to start adding color, don't get intimidated! Though many people become hesitant when planning the color layout of their gardens, Will-Browne says there's no reason to panic -- by following a few simple guidelines, the addition of color can be a fun and rewarding endeavor. Her most important guideline is to do what you like -- it's your garden, so have fun with it! First, evaluate the overall layout of the garden. Which areas are most visible? How much shade is available? Then, choose perennial varieties that will be well suited to each of the locations -- ensuring that a plant's specific light requirements are met is the first priority. Once you've tackled this step, you're ready to put your colors in place. One effective approach is to place perennials with white blooms under trees or in other shady areas. Will-Browne explains that white works wonders for bringing out the color in a shaded spot. (It's also wonderful for a moonlight garden!) If possible, keep brights near the front of the garden where they'll be highly visible and place colors that complement one another close together. And include some cutting flowers like the red and white dianthus shown here (figure C) so you can enjoy the beauty of your perennials outside the garden. If you just can't decide which colors truly complement one another, consult a color wheel (figure D). These are readily available in art stores and make it easy to identify complementary colors by having them positioned exactly opposite one another on the wheel. Once your perennials have begun to thrive -- after a season or two -- you may want to thin them out to keep them looking their best, or you may simply want spread their beauty to other areas of the yard. To do this, simply dig up the entire plant cluster -- carefully -- and pull off an individual section, roots and all (figure E). After separating as many independent plants as you'll need, remove any faded or spent foliage and trim down the healthy foliage (figure F) so that the roots can focus their energy on producing healthy new growth. Once trimmed, they're ready to plant! Note: For a tour of Disney's Epcot Center map, click here , available using  .
RESOURCES :
Daylilies: The Perfect Perennial
Model: 0882666517
Author: Lewis Hill
Storey Books
April 1991
A Gardener's Guide to Planters, Containers and Raised Beds
Model: 0806942436
Author: Chuck and Barbara Crandall
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
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