While I am a huge fan of wildflowers, I still like to grow standard garden perennials, and more exotic plants. Many "garden perennials" are cultivated strains of native plants that show great improvements over their ancestors, such as newer strains of beebalm (like Monarda 'Marshall's Delight'). In this example, the common beebalm problem of powdery mildew has been nearly eradicated through selective breeding.

 

While on the last page I take kind of a negative tone on this group of plants, not all of them are demanding plants. Plants like Hostas are heavily bred and not wild but they are almost care-free. There are now triploid strains of daylilies that are also very care-free and absolutely gorgeous. Aside from these though, we have other, more delicate perennials like peonies and many lilies, that require some moisture, especially when it is hot and dry out. These plants also grow much better with added fertilizer and when planted in high-quality soils. It is these types of things that make wildflowers so attractive, because they are not needed for them.

 

I don't want to overcomplicate this group. Unless you are growing exotic plants like canna lilies or Bletilla species their cultivation is pretty straightforward. Here I will show off some of my garden perennials. Note that there is no annual section on this website. That is because I do not grow them. I firmly believe that most annuals are a waste of money. They are usually high-maintainance plants that last only one year, and most frankly are not too exciting.

 

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