Alright, so I wanted to spruce up my garden with some flowers that would come back year after year, especially since I live in Zone 5, where winters can be pretty harsh. I did not want to keep planting same flowers every year! So I started this little project to find the best perennial flowering plants for my garden.
Getting Started
First, I hit up the local garden center. I have to say, speaking to those guys in person gave me the best information, even better than what I found online! I talked to one of the experienced gardeners there, an old lady, and she gave me some great initial ideas. We walked around the nursery, and she pointed out a few plants that she thought would do well in my area.
My Research and Selection Process
- I did some research online: I spent hours reading blogs and articles about perennials for Zone 5. And I took tons of notes.
- Made a list: I compiled a list of potential plants, noting their bloom times, sun requirements, and how big they would get. I did not want them to be too big for the flower bed!
- Considered the aesthetics: I thought about the colors and textures I wanted in my garden. I wanted a mix of blooms throughout the growing season, so nothing too boring.
- Checked the plant hardiness: I double-checked that each plant was indeed hardy to Zone 5. This was super important because I did not want to waste money on plants that would not survive the winter.
Planting and Care
Once I had my plants, I prepared the soil. I remember I added some compost and other organic matter to give them a good start. Then I followed the planting instructions for each plant, making sure to space them out properly. I dug the holes, placed the plants, and filled them back in, watering them thoroughly.
Watching Them Grow
I have been watering them regularly, especially during dry spells. Also I added some mulch to help retain moisture and keep the weeds down.I also deadheaded the spent blooms to encourage more flowering. It’s been a joy watching them grow and flourish. My garden looked so colorful and vibrant throughout the season!
Final Thoughts
It’s been a real learning experience, and I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Seeing those flowers come back year after year makes all the effort worthwhile. I can’t wait to see them bloom again next spring! Now I realized I really enjoy the gardening.
