eee PEt Experts Say Fall Is the Time to Plant Perennials (NAPSA)—Perennial plants are a gardener’s dream: They add color to borders and beds, and are relatively easy to maintain. Perennials can also be used to add fragrance and texture to gardens, as well as attract beneficial wildlife such as butterflies and hummingbirds. Planting perennials in the fall is like making a long-term investment—one that paysdividends the next year. Herbaceous perennials are plants that die back to the ground in cold weather but resume growing in spring. This feature offers gardeners a wide selection of plant sizes, flower colors and forms, and seasons of bloom to choose from. Expert Advice Explains flower specialist Venelin Dimitrov, “Fall is the ideal time to plant perennials because the cold winter months that follow are very important for dormancy. Many beautiful plants from temperate climates must experience a period of low winter temperature to initiate and accelerate flowering, which is known as vernalization. This process establishes the Fall perennials contribute lasting, beautiful color to spring gardens. consider the overall size of a garden, the amount of sun it gets, and theclimate. To create continuity of interest, choose plants that bloom at different times during a season. Height is an important factor. Dimitrov texture and yearlong interest to the garden. suggests using taller plants at the back of a border or bed, with the lowest perennials at the front. In shade-challenged beds, consider using drought-tolerant plants, or those with low water requirements. For a dynamic sweep of color every spring, plant snowdrop, crocus, tulip and daffodil bulbs when the ground hascooled sufficiently. Addedible interest by planting perennial fruits such as blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. Garlic is also easy to grow, richly flavored and will keep up to 10 months after harvest. Free, Helpful App To make it easier to plant in specific garden regions, W. Atlee Burpee & Co. created a free Garden Time planning app. To download the app, access helpful how- When determining which perennials to use, it’s important to perennial plants, visit www. burpee.com orcall (800) 888-1447. plant, so it starts growing earlier the next spring and produces brighter and boldercolors.” Dimitrov suggests that for most gardeners, border perennials are probably most useful in a mixed border, interplanted with low-growing shrubs that may or may not lose their foliage in winter. Mixed borders allow woody plants to add structure, height, Make A Plan to articles and videos, and order
